Many women choose to have some form of pain relief in labor. There are several options including gas and air pethidine and epidural. Epidural and spinal injections are the most effective ways to relieve pain in labor. Both are performed by a doctor specializing in pain relief.
An epidural is a special form of injection that allows the anesthetist to place pain relieving medicine around the nerves in your lower back blocking the sensation of pain. The aim of the epidural is to take away the pain of contractions but you may still feel a sensation of pressure during contractions which is completely normal.
Nitrous oxide: Nitrous oxide, known as ‘laughing gas’, is mixed with oxygen and administered to the mother through a face mask or a tube held in the mouth. The gas takes a few seconds to work, so it is important to breathe from the mask as soon as a contraction starts. Nitrous oxide doesn’t stop the pain entirely, but takes the ‘edge’ off the intensity of each contraction. Many women prefer nitrous oxide because it allows them direct control – you can hold the mask yourself and take deep breaths whenever you feel the need.
Pethidine: Pethidine is a strong pain reliever (related to morphine and heroin), usually injected directly into a muscle in the buttock. It may also be administered intravenously (directly into a vein). Depending on various factors, the effect of pethidine can last anywhere from two to four hours. Pethidine can make you feel sick, so anti-nausea medications are usually administered at the same time.
Epidural anaesthesia: Epidural injections are the most effective pain relief available. They are used for vaginal births and also for caesarean sections, because they allow the mother to stay awake and alert during the baby’s birth. Anaesthetic is injected into the lining of the spinal cord through the back, which makes the mother feel numb from the waist down. Your baby’s heart rate will be monitored continuously.
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