Pain Relief during Labour

When you decide to take pain relief remember that they are two patients to consider. Labor is a painful procedure because your uterus has to change its shape so your baby can be born. It is very important to be prepared for the delivery. Being aware of the things happening around you, will help you cope more easily with the pain and the labor itself. Don’t be afraid of the pain that you will endure, have confidence in those taking care of you, including your doctor and the stuff at the hospital. Have many different pain killers that are used before and during the Labor.

• Anesthetic
• Analgesic
• Pudendal Block
• Epidural Block
• Cervical Block
• General anesthesia
• Mixture of a narcotic analgesic drugs

What is an Anesthetic pain killer: a complete block of pain sensation and muscle movement.

What is an Analgesic pain killer: a full or partial relief of pain sensation.

What is a Pudendal Block: It is given through the vaginal canal and decreases pain in the birth canal but you still feel the contraction of the uterus.

What is an Epidural block: It is one of the most popular anesthetics. It provides relief from the pain of uterine contractions and delivery. Only anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist must administer Epidural Block. While you are sitting up or laying on your side the anesthesiologist numbs an area of your skin over your lower back in the middle of your spinal cord. Then introduce a needle through the numbed area of the skin. The anesthetic is placed around the spinal cord but not into the spinal canal. A plastic catheter is left there. Like that Epidural medication may be given at any time during the labor with a pump. When needed small amount of medication is injected into the pump at regular intervals.

Combined spinal and Epidural Block is used sometime called walking epidural. Woman may be able to walk around more easily.

A major problem with all types of epidural is that it can make your blood presser drop. Fortunately, I.V. fluids taken with the epidural help reduce the risk of low blood pressure. Some people believe that using epidural during labor can result later in back pain. According to recent studies, no link between use of epidurals during labor and experience of later back pain has been established.

What is a General anesthesia: usually is used for an emergency Cesarean delivery.

What is Mixture of narcotic analgesic drugs: Many hospitals use a mixture of drugs early in labor. Frequently used are Demerol and Phenergen. They decrease pain and cause sedation, sleepiness.

There are no perfect methods for pain relief during labor. Each way may have problems and complications. That is why it is good to get as much information as possible about the options and the process you will go through so you are able to make a right choice when the time comes.

Labor is a painful procedure but now there are many different pain relief available. No matter what you choose natural childbirth or caesarian section it is good to know your options before the labor. In this article i explain the difference between epidural,anesthetics, pudendal block, cervical block,narcotic analgesic and general pain relief. There is many information available on Internet now at list there is no excuse of not knowing what you need when you need it.