Painless Labour – Possible at Nyle Hospital

Thinking of labour and delivery always creates fear and stress in women’s mind. The process of childbirth is never the same for everyone and the feeling is unpredictable. The amount of pain experienced by a woman depends on her baby’s position and size, pelvis size, strength of uterus contraction, her emotions and attitude. Some women are strong enough to go with natural pain relief methods, while some seek medications for relieving pain.

Natural Measures to Relieve Pain

Some of the methods that help to relax and manage labour pain include:

Trying breathing exercises

Applying heat and cold to body, such as placing hot bag on lower back and chill cloth on forehead

Getting massages

Taking warm water baths or showers

Usage of labour ball

Staying in comfortable positions during labour, such as standing, sitting, crouching, walking, etc.

Listening to soothing music

Receiving supportive care from loved and caring people

Medical Measures to Relieve Pain

Nowadays, managing labour has become much easier with certain relief medications administered by experienced doctors, if demanded by women. However, such artificial methods impose some risk upon childbirth. Based upon the stage of labour, physicians decide which method to use. Anyways, women can find pain relief options only in specific hospitals like that of NYLE HOSPITAL. The factors that determine the type of medication include medical history, allergies, pregnancy complications and age of mother. There are possibilities for medicines to reach the baby through placenta. Hence, it is better to clarify with the gynaecologist about its effect upon baby and breastfeeding. The following are the common pain relief options opted by doctors:

Opioids or Narcotics – This medicine is injected through muscle or given via a tube run through the vein. Sometimes, opioids are injected along with spinal blocks or epidural. This does not affect woman’s pushing ability by any means. It works against pain, but active for a short period.

Epidural and Spinal Blocks – The epidural involves the placement of catheter (tube) into a small space just below the spinal cord at the lower back. It enables mother to be alert and awake throughout the process. Mild doses of pain relief medicine can be passed through the catheter throughout the labour. By means of spinal block, a small dose of relief medicine is administered (as a single shot) into the spinal fluid at the lower back. Spinal blocks are usually given one-time during labour. Relief from pain initiates 10 to 20 min after giving the medicine, but lasts only for 1 or 2 h.

Pudendal Block – A doctor inserts numbing drug into the vaginal opening and the close by pudendal nerve which carries senses to the vulva and lower portion of vagina. This is usually used just before the arrival of baby’s head.