Pain relief options during labour

Pain Relief During Labour

To reassure pregnant Mums reading this article, 97% of all babies born each year in the UK are normal! Of all deliveries 99% occur in hospital, and of those 75% are normal uncomplicated deliveries, with 12.5% being caesearean sections and 12.5% forceps deliveries.
The onset of labour usually occurs 40 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period. This is an average, so the baby can be fully mature at any time from the 36th week to the 42nd week. However, if labour starts before the 38th week it is termed as premature labour, and after the 42nd week as postmature!
Throughout pregnancy painless tightenings of the uterine muscle are, however, when labour itself starts, the contractions become more obvious, regular (initially occurring every 15 to 20 minutes), more stronger, and more painful.
Labour is divided into three stages: the first stage, is from the onset of labour pains until the neck of the womb, or cervix, is fully opened. The second stage, lasts from full dilatation of the cervix until the baby is delivered, and the third stage, lasts from the birth of the baby until the placenta is delivered.
The use of high tech equipment and modern drugs has now made childbirth much safer, but there is a great deal of interest in reverting back to natural childbirth, to avoid unneccessary intervention. Many maternity units now respect mothers wishes and try to accomodate their requests if possible. Pregnant mums should discuss their `birth plans' and ask for full details of the options available at their delivery unit.
Options include:
`Entonox', is an anaesthetic gas which the mother can self administer from a hand held face mask. This provides a great reduction in pain, especially if an injection of pethidine has previously been administered, without causing loss of consciousness. This is very popular, and rarely produces any side effects.
Sedatives and tranquillizers may be used in the first stage of labour, especially if the woman is unduly anxious, but they do not relieve pain. Hypnosis has also been used to relax the mother and to relieve pain.
Epidural anaesthesia, in which a local anaesthetic is injected into the spine to numb the nerves that supply the lower chest, abdomen and lower limbs. Increasing numbers of women are having ceasarean sections under epidural anaesthesia, as the baby needs less resuscitation than after a general anaesthetic.
`Natural childbirth' involves the use of no drugs, but instead the mother has been taught during her pregnancy, special relaxation methods, breathing techniques and removal of fear, so that she is in full control. This does not mean that the labour will be pain free, as very few women will experience pain free labour without the use of some medication.
Water births have been the subject of some controversy recently, so discuss this option with your obstetrician and midwife.
Birth positions options, such as squatting rather than lying on your side or your back, are also available at many hospitals.
Home delivery, is also possible, and again this should be discussed further so that you are aware of any possible problems that might arise in your particular case.
Finally remember, the outcome of a pregnancy should be a happy mother with a healthy baby, so do follow the recommendations of your midwife and doctor. Further information can be obtained from the National Childbirth Trust, 9 Queensborough Terrace, London W2. END. Word count 589.
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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