ChicMe WW

How to have a pain-free birth (well, almost)

By Kelly Baker|

There's a baby in there ... and it's going to come out one way or another. Image: Getty.
There's a baby in there ... and it's going to come out one way or another. Image: Getty.
A healthy, happy baby and a comfortable you? Absolutely

Itกฏs often said you forget about the pain of childbirth not long after they place your newborn in your arms.? Good to know, but hardly a soothing thought for those currently (and anxiously) counting down the days until their babyกฏs due date.

The truth is, yes, babies are never going to just effortlessly slide on out, but childbirth also doesnกฏt have to hurt as much it used to จC not now that we have access to a multitude of pain relief methods.

Not sure which one is right for you? Itกฏs all about weighing up the pros and cons of each one and trusting your instincts.

Epidural

One of the more commonly used pain relief methods, an epidural is essentially a nerve block จC administered by an anesthetist via a needle - that goes into the area surrounding your spinal cord, also known as the epidural space.

There are several steps to administering an epidural. After you are put on a drip, you will be asked to curl over on the bed so your back can be cleaned with antiseptic before an injection of local anesthetic is given to numb the whole area. Once the area has gone numb, a larger epidural needle will be inserted, which will feed a mixture of powerful painkillers into your system. The procedure takes around 20 minutes and it usually becomes effective within 10 จC 20 minutes. Once removed, the numbness wears off in between two to four hours.

Advantages: Unlike most other pain relief methods which minimises the amount of pain you feel, an epidural eliminates pain entirely, yet allows you to remain awake and cognitively aware. Opting for an epidural can also help you rest during a long and/or difficult labour.

Disadvantages: Research shows epidurals can slow the labour process down somewhat, and that epidural use also increases the risk of intervention such as a forcep delivery or caesarean section. You will also be unable to get up out of bed and walk around until the numbness wears off. Although the dangers of serious side effects such as nerve damage and/or infection will be discussed with you before an epidural is administered, itกฏs worth noting that the risk is minimal. The most common side effect with an epidural is that you may feel sick and/or cold and shivery.

There'll be plenty of crying after babe is born. Why not try and minimise the crying when and where you can - like during the birth. Image: Getty.

Gas

Gas or nitrous oxide (sometimes also known as laughing gas) is an anesthetic that you inhale through a mask or mouthpiece during contractions. The pain relieving effects of the gas peak after one minute so you will need to take deep, long puffs at the start of each contraction for the gas to be effective.

Advantages: Many women whoกฏve used gas says that? the very fact that itกฏs self-administered means they get to stay in control of how much or how little they use. Since the effects wear off quickly, gas can also be stopped immediately if you find it doesnกฏt agree with you.

Disadvantages: Known to make some women feel light-headed and nauseous, itกฏs also worth remembering that while the gas reduces the pain you feel, it will not quash it completely.

Sterile Water Injection

Sterile Water Injection is an intra-dermal injection where water or saline is flushed into the spine to relieve pain during labour by altering pain perception (the stinging effect of the needle into the back is said to alleviate the pain of the contractions felt on the lower back muscles). As a pain relief method, it begins working within minutes, with the effect lasting up to an hour and a half.

Advantages: Considered to be perfectly safe for both mother and baby, there are no known complications associated with Sterile Water Injections.

Disadvantages: You may not enjoy the stinging feeling before the injection takes effect. Thereกฏs also a chance it may not provide enough pain relief (depending on your threshold)

Pethidine

Another incredibly common pain relief method, pethidine is a sedating analgesic drug (similar to morphine) that is administered via an injection in your arm, leg or bottom. After a slight sting in the injection area, pethidine will usually start working within five to 10 minutes and can last for up to two hours. Pethidine is known to cause nausea, it is often combined with an anti-emetic drug to combat any illness.

Advantages: Pethidine dulls the pain significantly, yet allows you to still feel contractions so that you are able to work with them during the pushing process. Another plus in pethidineกฏs corner is that the sedating effects of the drug also mean those who are experiencing lengthy labours can rest adequately.

Disadvantages: Common side effects for mums include drowsiness and extreme nausea which may result in an injection of an anti-nausea drug such as maxalon. The biggest problem however, is if the drug is given to close to delivery it can cause breathing difficulties in babies and make them sleepy, impacting initial breastfeeding sessions.

There was no pain relief for this mum who gave birth in the car. We don't recommend it. Video courtesy of Nine News.

TENS

TENS จC formally known as a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation machine - is a portable, battery-run device offering drug-free pain relief. The machine consists of four battery powered electrode pads which are stuck on your lower back, administering constant pulses of electrical stimulation which passes through the skin and interferes with pain pathways.

How does it work? Every time you feel a contraction coming in, you simply press the booster button to send a strong charge (said to feel like a pins and needles sensation) through your body, effectively blocking the pain signals your uterus is sending to the brain.

Advantages: As with gas, the method gives you complete control over the pulses and the device can easily be removed should you decide itกฏs not for you. No side effects have been noted with TENS machines and the pain relief method is considered completely safe for both mother and baby.

Disadvantages: You will need to hire the machine before you go into labour so it requires some forward thinking and planning on your part. Also, some women find TENS doesnกฏt alleviate pain to the level theyกฏd hoped for.

Other options you could also consider

Epidurals, gas and co might be the big guns of the delivery ward, but there are plenty of other pain relief options you can try, such as:

Heat Therapy: Exactly as it sounds, heat therapy is either the use of a hot bath or shower, or where a hot water bottle or wheat bag is applied to relax tension within your body and to assist with the pain of contraction. To prevent baby from becoming distressed, itกฏs essential the water you use is not too hot, however.

Breathing techniques:? Learning particular breathing methods can help you relax, stay in control during labour, and direct your focus to something other than pain. You can learn specific techniques for breathing at your antenatal classes.

Spinal block: Commonly used in caesarean deliveries, a spinal block is administered in the same way as an epidural, via a needle into the epidural space in your back. While an epidural is regularly topped up to keep you feeling numb, a spinal block only requires a single dose, yet both share most of the same pros? and cons.

Acupuncture: A pain relief method where trained staff stimulate various acupuncture points during labour to reduce pain and assist with relaxation.

Hypnotherapy: Using the power of word association, this is way to program your body into not resisting contractions through the use of some key words or triggers a hypnotist will set for you ahead of the big day. You will need to attend a handful of hypnosis sessions during the later stages of your pregnancy so forward-thinking is advised.

?

?

?

Auto news: 'This is the most annoying thing about drivers in Australia.'