It is important to be aware of all of your pain relief options available to you during your labour. Below we have listed some of the main options available to help you cope with the pain of labour, but be sure to discuss your option with your midwife also.
Gas and Air
Gas and air is also known as Entonox, it comprises of a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. It does not stop the pain of labour, but can help to reduce it and make it easier to get through.
How it works:
Gas and air is administered through a mask or a mouth piece, you simply breathe in slowly on the mouth piece as a contraction begins. Gas and Air is a popular method of pain relief as it is something you can control your self, as and when you need it.
What are the side effects?There are no harmful side effects to you or your baby when using gas and air. Sometimes it can make women feel lightheaded, sick or sleepy. If you feel any of these unwanted side effects when using it, you can simply stop.
TENS
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerver Stimulation. Sometimes hospitals have TENS machines, but more often than not you would need to hire your own. TENS maybe useful if you are planning a home birth or while you are at home in the early stages of labour.
How it works:
TENS works by taping small electrodes to your back, which are connected to the main control unit (obstetric pulsar). Holding the pulsar unit you can give yourself a small amount of current. TENS works by stimulating your body to produce more endorphins, which are the body's own natural pain killers.
What are the side effects?
There are no harmful side effects for you or your baby
Intramuscular injections
Intramuscular injections are injections of either pethidine or diamorphine directly into muscle.
How it works:
You are given an injection of either pethidine or diamorphine directly into a muscle. The injection takes around 20 minutes to begin to take effect, and can last from 2 to 4 hours.
What are the side effects?
- It can make you feel sick and forgetful.
- If it has not worn off towards the end of your labour, you may find it difficult to push.
- The drugs can interfere with breastfeeding
Epidural
An epidural is special type of local anaesthetic. It works by numbing the nerves which carry pain from the birth canal to the brain. For most women an epidural gives total pain relief from labour. An anaesthetist is th eonly person who can give an epidural, and in NHS hospitals you may have to wait until the anaesthetist becomes available to have one.
How it works:
After a section on your back has been cleaned with antiseptic and then numbed with local anaesthetic, a small tube will be placed into your back near the nerves that carry pain from the uterus. Then drugs are given through this tube. It takes about 20 minutes to get the epidural set up and then another 10-15 minutes for it to work. The epidural can be topped up by an anaesthetist or a midwife.
What are the side effects?
- Epidurals do not normally make you feel sick or drowsy
- Epidurals can make your legs heavy and you may not be able to feel them
- Epidurals can slow down labour, and you may not be able to feel your contractions so the midwife will have to tell you when to push
- A catheter maybe put into your bladder to help you pass water
