As you approach your due date, both you and your doctor can discuss the ways in which to control pain during your labor. First, it is important to realize that labor is a natural process that allows you to deliver a baby. Understanding what your options are is the first step in managing it. There are things that you can do as well as your doctor can do to help with pain during your labor.
Remember this is your delivery. Here are some suggestions for you to consider:
- Be involved!
- Be prepared and attend birthing classes! They are informative, and they teach ways of breathing as well as different positions in which to labor.
- Visit the maternity floor before you go into labor.
- Discuss your concerns with your doctor & have your questions answered.
- Have your favorite soft music playing.
- Bring a few of your favorite things from home.
- Have supportive people at your labor.
- The advantage to these methods is that they require no medication that may affect you or your baby.
If the non-medical pain treatments are not enough to control your pain, your doctor or midwife will prescribe pain medicine. You may have a narcotic injection (into a muscle or an IV) or epidural pain medicine. There are advantages and disadvantages to each method:
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Injections |
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Epidural |
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Administered by an MD
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Stronger pain relief, may completely relieve pain
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Less depressing than injections for you and baby
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Long lasting relief
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Epidural may also be used for cesarean section if necessary without additional needles |
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Further Instructions
This is just a brief overview of the ways you can manage pain during your labor. It is important that you discuss your options with your doctor. We want to make the birth of your baby as memorable as possible.