Pain Relief Options During Labor

There are several options for pain relief to cope with the pain of contractions during labor.

Most mums-to-be will have done their research well before going into hospital, including checking what will be available at their hospital, and will have decided what they want - or don't want. But in the heat of the moment all those plans could change, so it's good to know what is available...

TENS

Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation involves a gentle electrical current being passed through pads attached to the body. TENS is considered to be extremely effective in the early stages of labor and some women manage with just TENS throughout the delivery.

Epidural

This involves an anesthetic being injected via a catheter into the lower part of the spine to numb the nerves and therefore the pain. This catheter administers drugs throughout the delivery and can be topped up in stages. It can be used at any stage but takes 40 minutes to start providing pain relief. Once working it is very effective.

Side effects include numb legs, headache, backache, nausea and low blood pressure. It can also lessen the urge to pee so a tube may have to be inserted into the bladder to drain the urine.

Breathing techniques

Breathing calmly in long deep breaths increases the oxygen flowing to your muscles and can lessen the pain of contractions.

Warm water

Some maternity units now encourage mums in labor to relax in a warm bath once in established labor. Sitting or lying in the bath has been proven to help ease the more intense contractions. But it can slow labor down if used too early.

Pethidine

This is a popular painkiller from the same family as morphine. It's usually administered via an injection in the thigh or bottom. The effects take about 20 minutes to kick in and last around two to three hours. Pethidine causes mum to feel drowsy and pain is muffled. However, side effects can include slowing down the labor and (if the pethidine crosses the placenta) it can affect the unborn baby's breathing. Sometimes mum needs a boost of oxygen to "wake her up" again.

Gas and air

This is a popular method of pain relief involving breathing in a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (entonox) through a mask. The gas builds up in the blood, relaxing muscles as the contractions build. Some women don't like it, however, as it can make them feel drunk and nauseous. It does not take the pain away, but makes it more bearable if used at the right moments.

Alternative therapies

Aromatherapy uses concentrated essential oils to improve mood and well being.Reflexology involves massaging key points on the feet that correspond to the areas of pain.Hypnosis is a very popular trend for pain relief and there are hypno-birthing classes held throughout the UK.Acupuncture uses needles placed - by an expert - in specific points of the body to help reduce the pain.Debra Aspinall is an experienced journalist and the editor and leading writer for the Emma's Diary website, one of the UKs foremost pregnancy and baby websites. Debra writes on pregnancy related topics such as signs of early labor, symptoms of labor, first signs of labor and etc. She also writes on women's health and beauty issues and contributes travel articles to glossy magazines in London and the Home Counties.

Pain Relief Options During Labor

There are several options for pain relief to cope with the pain of contractions during labor.

Most mums-to-be will have done their research well before going into hospital, including checking what will be available at their hospital, and will have decided what they want - or don't want. But in the heat of the moment all those plans could change, so it's good to know what is available...

TENS

Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation involves a gentle electrical current being passed through pads attached to the body. TENS is considered to be extremely effective in the early stages of labor and some women manage with just TENS throughout the delivery.

Epidural

This involves an anesthetic being injected via a catheter into the lower part of the spine to numb the nerves and therefore the pain. This catheter administers drugs throughout the delivery and can be topped up in stages. It can be used at any stage but takes 40 minutes to start providing pain relief. Once working it is very effective.

Side effects include numb legs, headache, backache, nausea and low blood pressure. It can also lessen the urge to pee so a tube may have to be inserted into the bladder to drain the urine.

Breathing techniques

Breathing calmly in long deep breaths increases the oxygen flowing to your muscles and can lessen the pain of contractions.

Warm water

Some maternity units now encourage mums in labor to relax in a warm bath once in established labor. Sitting or lying in the bath has been proven to help ease the more intense contractions. But it can slow labor down if used too early.

Pethidine

This is a popular painkiller from the same family as morphine. It's usually administered via an injection in the thigh or bottom. The effects take about 20 minutes to kick in and last around two to three hours. Pethidine causes mum to feel drowsy and pain is muffled. However, side effects can include slowing down the labor and (if the pethidine crosses the placenta) it can affect the unborn baby's breathing. Sometimes mum needs a boost of oxygen to "wake her up" again.

Gas and air

This is a popular method of pain relief involving breathing in a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (entonox) through a mask. The gas builds up in the blood, relaxing muscles as the contractions build. Some women don't like it, however, as it can make them feel drunk and nauseous. It does not take the pain away, but makes it more bearable if used at the right moments.

Alternative therapies

Aromatherapy uses concentrated essential oils to improve mood and well being.Reflexology involves massaging key points on the feet that correspond to the areas of pain.Hypnosis is a very popular trend for pain relief and there are hypno-birthing classes held throughout the UK.Acupuncture uses needles placed - by an expert - in specific points of the body to help reduce the pain.Debra Aspinall is an experienced journalist and the editor and leading writer for the Emma's Diary website, one of the UKs foremost pregnancy and baby websites. Debra writes on pregnancy related topics such as signs of early labor, symptoms of labor, first signs of labor and etc. She also writes on women's health and beauty issues and contributes travel articles to glossy magazines in London and the Home Counties.

Options For Fertility Treatments In Missouri

For midwest couples living with infertility issues, there are options in treatment that can be found in state of the art specialty clinics that have high rates of success in treating all types of fertility problems for men and women. It's important to work with a clinic that is specifically devoted to reproductive health and fertility to insure that you will have the advantage of the latest technology and science that is available to help couples begin or grow their families.

It is important to work with a facility that has comprehensive treatment and testing to determine what the best course of action will be for your particular needs. Not every infertility problem is the same for all couples, in fact it is often the combination of more than one factor that can be the reason for the inability of some couples to get pregnant together and having a competent, professional team working together to come up with a solution for you is an absolute necessity to insure your success.

Having one facility where all your testing and treatment needs can be accommodated in one place is the most efficient way to diagnose and treat infertility problems. Your personal journey is then shared by a group of people that share a commitment to work with you to find the best solution for your infertility concerns. You can do some research before you choose a facility that you want to work with and determine if the doctors that provide the care there are trained in the latest specialty science of reproduction and fertility.

The Reproductive Resource Center In Overland Park, Kansas is one such facility to consider when looking for clinics in the midwest. A facility this size and with this kind of expertise will more than likely be able to address whatever issues you may be having as an individual or as a couple that are causing your inability to get pregnant. Some issues are easier to diagnose and treat than others and you want to work with a facility that has a comprehensive testing program to determine the right course of action for your particular issue without jumping right to the most expensive options right away. Choosing a facility such as the RCC, which has been in business for as long as they have and has a reputation for the quality of care that they enjoy will result in your getting the best care you can without having to spend more than what is necessary to treat your infertility issues.

Options For Fertility Treatments In Missouri

For midwest couples living with infertility issues, there are options in treatment that can be found in state of the art specialty clinics that have high rates of success in treating all types of fertility problems for men and women. It's important to work with a clinic that is specifically devoted to reproductive health and fertility to insure that you will have the advantage of the latest technology and science that is available to help couples begin or grow their families.

It is important to work with a facility that has comprehensive treatment and testing to determine what the best course of action will be for your particular needs. Not every infertility problem is the same for all couples, in fact it is often the combination of more than one factor that can be the reason for the inability of some couples to get pregnant together and having a competent, professional team working together to come up with a solution for you is an absolute necessity to insure your success.

Having one facility where all your testing and treatment needs can be accommodated in one place is the most efficient way to diagnose and treat infertility problems. Your personal journey is then shared by a group of people that share a commitment to work with you to find the best solution for your infertility concerns. You can do some research before you choose a facility that you want to work with and determine if the doctors that provide the care there are trained in the latest specialty science of reproduction and fertility.

The Reproductive Resource Center In Overland Park, Kansas is one such facility to consider when looking for clinics in the midwest. A facility this size and with this kind of expertise will more than likely be able to address whatever issues you may be having as an individual or as a couple that are causing your inability to get pregnant. Some issues are easier to diagnose and treat than others and you want to work with a facility that has a comprehensive testing program to determine the right course of action for your particular issue without jumping right to the most expensive options right away. Choosing a facility such as the RCC, which has been in business for as long as they have and has a reputation for the quality of care that they enjoy will result in your getting the best care you can without having to spend more than what is necessary to treat your infertility issues.