Labour and childbirth is usually a painful
experience and women vary in their response to it.
It is not called labour for nothing.
Having a baby is hard work, and part of that work is getting through the pain.
But don't panic. There are more ways than ever to manage that pain, and you
don't have to choose just one.
"The trick is to have as many tools in
your bag as possible," says Kim Hildebrand Cardoso, a certified
nurse-midwife in Berkeley, California, and a mother of two. "You don't
know what's going to work until you're in it, and what helps a woman at one
point can change five minutes later."
Some women are keen to avoid drugs or other
medical interventions while others are happy to consider all available options.
For a woman having her first baby, the experience of labour (and her reaction
to it) is unpredictable.
For this reason, it is a good idea to be aware of the options for pain relief that are available and to know something about the different methods. You may have a plan for how you hope to manage your labour, but it is best to be prepared to be flexible.
For this reason, it is a good idea to be aware of the options for pain relief that are available and to know something about the different methods. You may have a plan for how you hope to manage your labour, but it is best to be prepared to be flexible.
Non-medical
pain relief options
Relaxation Techniques
The most important thing you can relax during labor is your mind. The idea is simple -- when you fear pain, you tense up, which makes the pain worse, which makes you tense up more. You can use different relaxation techniques to ease pain. Some people like music, some like meditation, some like incense. Generally, relaxation techniques help ease pain in labour. Just check that the hospital or birth centre can cope with your plans.
- Prepare for the marathon
- Being in good physical condition is important. Exercise gently and regularly throughout your pregnancy, avoid cigarettes and alcohol, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Knowing what to expect during the various stages of labour can help reduce anxiety.
- Antenatal classes are strongly recommended.
Relaxation Techniques
The most important thing you can relax during labor is your mind. The idea is simple -- when you fear pain, you tense up, which makes the pain worse, which makes you tense up more. You can use different relaxation techniques to ease pain. Some people like music, some like meditation, some like incense. Generally, relaxation techniques help ease pain in labour. Just check that the hospital or birth centre can cope with your plans.
- Breathe through the pains - Breathing techniques may help you to ‘ride the waves’ of each contraction. To stay relaxed, it's crucial to pay attention to your breathing. Let gravity do its work.
- Moving around: Walking, swaying, changing positions, and rolling on a birthing ball can not only ease the pain but can help your labour progress by using the force of gravity to your advantage and encouraging the movement and rotation of the baby down through the pelvic canal.
- Water therapy: Warm water can work wonders for diminishing labour pain. Don't underestimate the power of the shower either - the stream of hot water will not only keep you relaxed but will massage you too.
- Your partner in birth: The constant, close support from your partner (or a trusted friend or loved one) for the duration of labour can reduce anxiety. Having your partner rub your feet or massage your hands or temples can distract you, relax you, and generally make you feel cared for, which is a major morale boost.
MEDICAL PAIN RELIEF OPTIONS
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.
- Nitrous oxide doesn’t interfere with contractions and it doesn’t linger in either the woman’s or the baby’s body.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Claustrophobic sensations from the face mask
- Lack of pain relief – in some cases, nitrous oxide doesn’t offer any pain relief at all (this applies to around one-third of women).
Epidural Analgesia
Management of pain is the most crucial
thing in the delivery of baby and painless delivery techniques are providing
respite from excessive pain, be it in normal deliveries or caesarean (that need
operations).
The technique of painless delivery called as Epidural Analgesia or Epidural Anesthesia is a popular technique used by women, if advised by the doctor, during labor. The technique is not only cost-effective, but also gives relief from unbearable labor pain. Such deliveries have registered 6-7% rise in the past two-three years. On an average the cost of epidural (Painless process) ranges within Rs.4000-8000/- (could be little more or less) therefore the difference in charges for normal and painless normal delivery is not too high. But, these charges may vary from hospital to hospital.
How it is done?During the delivery, the labor pain generates from the contraction of uterus walls. Once the Epidural analgesia is administered, it blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain and thus helping the patient for a painless delivery. The same technique can also be used in case of emergency cesarean sections if some complications.
It is estimated that out of every 25 deliveries, there are around 8-10 painless deliveries. In fact most of those going for it are educated and come from well-off families. The threshold to bear labor pain among women has reduced and therefore they prefer to go for epidural anesthesia. Women postponing motherhood till late thirties and conditions like obesity and hypertension, chances for normal delivery become less. This is because as one grows old, capacity to bear pain also reduces but epidural anesthesia increases chances of having normal deliveries, as per a recent study.
The technique of painless delivery called as Epidural Analgesia or Epidural Anesthesia is a popular technique used by women, if advised by the doctor, during labor. The technique is not only cost-effective, but also gives relief from unbearable labor pain. Such deliveries have registered 6-7% rise in the past two-three years. On an average the cost of epidural (Painless process) ranges within Rs.4000-8000/- (could be little more or less) therefore the difference in charges for normal and painless normal delivery is not too high. But, these charges may vary from hospital to hospital.
How it is done?During the delivery, the labor pain generates from the contraction of uterus walls. Once the Epidural analgesia is administered, it blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain and thus helping the patient for a painless delivery. The same technique can also be used in case of emergency cesarean sections if some complications.
It is estimated that out of every 25 deliveries, there are around 8-10 painless deliveries. In fact most of those going for it are educated and come from well-off families. The threshold to bear labor pain among women has reduced and therefore they prefer to go for epidural anesthesia. Women postponing motherhood till late thirties and conditions like obesity and hypertension, chances for normal delivery become less. This is because as one grows old, capacity to bear pain also reduces but epidural anesthesia increases chances of having normal deliveries, as per a recent study.
Advantages:
There are quite a few advantages and few are listed below:
- Epidural analgesia makes mother and baby comfortable.
- It brings down the high BP for those who are suffering with this issue.
- Good for patient who have heart disease for obvious reasons.
- Delivery is faster.
- If required, Caesarean can be done with same tube.
Possible Disadvantages:
Uncommon minor complications such as persistent positional headache afterwards,
shivering, ringing of the ears, backache, soreness where the needle is
inserted, nausea, or difficulty urinating.
While doctors are encouraging expectant women to enjoy bringing their baby into the world, naturally and painlessly, the role of a hospital in creating this safe haven is significant. Motherhood is inarguably the most beautiful phase in a woman's life. But, many expectant women fear the process of natural childbirth due to painful labour, hence opt for a Caesarian surgery instead.
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“Unless there is a risk involving mother and baby, Caesarian section is not recommended. Because, the recovery period is longer, the surgical wounds can get infected and the mother could have health problems later in life. That is why most of the Doctors encourage mothers to opt for natural childbirth which can be almost painless with the current technology.
“Unless there is a risk involving mother and baby, Caesarian section is not recommended. Because, the recovery period is longer, the surgical wounds can get infected and the mother could have health problems later in life. That is why most of the Doctors encourage mothers to opt for natural childbirth which can be almost painless with the current technology.
Choosing the "RIGHT HOSPITAL"
In the world we are living now, due to various reasons we get to see families living separately and those who opt for late parenthood with less or no support from their family or relatives, young couples or to be parents today are looking for vital medical care and comfort for mother and baby from their doctors and hospitals.
Late conception sometimes lead to risky pregnancies which is quite common in the world we are living today. A hospital equipped with a neonatal care and adult ICU unit to handle emergency births should be the primary choice for everyone out there.
Search
for a Hospital which has the following facilities:
- Multi-speciality services under one roof
- Clearly defined protocols for clinical and non-clinical care
- Rule for maintaining digital records of mother and baby for future follow ups of the baby.
- Hospital who practices evidence based medicines.
- Health insurance is valid and accepted without any hassles.
- Must have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in case your newborn is sick
- The Hospital which has a well-equipped adult ICU
- An place which offers postpartum breast feeding advice and support
Take care of yourself and be confident.
Life is full of surprises
...Enjoy every bit of it.
If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to write us.
All The Best!
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