Dealing with the Pain of Childbirth

A variety of pain-control options are available for a woman in labor. Your choice will depend on your medical history, your views on birthing, your previous experiences, your expectations and how you perceive pain. Your options include:

 


Epidurals



Epidurals are one of the most frequently used forms of pain control for labor and delivery and they are considered safe for a baby. There are two strengths available:



The traditional (or strong) form of epidural – The lower half of the body is numbed by anesthesia, which is fed into a catheter inserted just outside the canal that houses the spinal cord and nerves that feed the back.



di-font-weight: normal"> Pros – Constant pain relief and a low overall dose of medication.



di-font-weight: normal"> Cons – An epidural weakens the motor coordination in the lower half of the body.
It also can cause a drop in the mother’s blood pressure, a decrease in uterine contractions and a slower second stage of labor.



Epidural-lite – This type of epidural uses a combination of a morphine-like narcotic and an anesthetic that reduces the dosage needed for pain relief. While pain is still numbed, the woman can feel and use the lower half of her body.



di-font-weight: normal"> Pros – It allows muscle control in the lower half of the body.



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