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Plenty of horror stories circulate through circles of new mothers. They talk of how horrid there labor was. So many hours and so much pain they had to endure. Rarely is there a good story, so naturally many women go into childbirth with nothing less than agony on their mind. But there are a variety of options available.
Depending on where you give birth, your pain relief options will vary. For a homebirth, there is little medicinal aid available unless in the form of herbs or other natural methods. Birth centers and hospitals can provide more options in the pharmaceutical form.
But the best options for pain relief are those best for baby, and that is without medication. Warm water during labor is being touted as one of the best ways to relief pain, especially back labor. Being able to stand in a shower with warm water beating onto your lower back can be incredibly soothing during and between contractions. It also means you are up and moving around more and that is good for helping labor progress and end your pain sooner.
Birthing tubs or labor tubs provide immersion in water which is best when your pregnant belly can be submerged for extended periods of time. Getting your belly deep into the water means the pressure inside the uterus equals that of the pressure of the water and it balances out, providing pain relief. Regular bath tubs can work well though not as effectively as the deeper tubs.
Warm compresses on the back are great for relieving back labor. Especially if you take the hands and knees position the compress can be applied easier and for a longer period of time.
Lower back massages can reduce pain in back labor during a contraction. It may take some experimenting to find just what feels best for you, but it can do wonders for the intensity of pain.
In the hospital or birth center you will likely have the option of an intramuscular injection of a pain-killing drug such as Demerol. The dosages vary and when the nursing staff will allow it varies too. Proving pain relief with pharmaceuticals too close to delivery can inhibit the birth of your baby.
Epidurals and spinals are the most likely to reduce the pain you feel and limit your ability to push your baby out. These pain relief methods consist of medication inserted into your back, provided continuously or not.
Plenty of women have little pain during labor and delivery and you may be one of them. If not, you have some information to help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
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