Your quick guide to pain relief

Familiarise yourself with these common pain relief options. They could become your best friend in the labour room!

As your bump grows, you may well swear you’re going for a natural birth, but once in the throes of labour, you wouldn’t be the first to change your mind. So just in case, swot up on the pain relief options available now, to help you make the best decision for you.

TENS machine

What is it?

A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine sends out electrical impulses through pads, which block out pain messages passing through the nerves to your brain and stimulate feel-good hormones.

Good because… you can hire one (for a small fee, usually between £20-£30 a month) from your hospital, local chemists or your local National Childbirth Trust (NCT) branch to use at home for the first stages of labour. You can stay in control, stay mobile and it’s safe for you and your baby, as there are no lasting effects.

Bad because… for it to be fully effective, you need to use your TENS machine from the moment you feel the first twinge and you can’t use in the birthing pool if you’d like a water birth.

M&B tip: Get clued up on how to use it before you need to.

Gas and air

What is it?

Entonox, more commonly known as gas and air, is 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen, which builds up in your blood stream once you breathe it in and gradually eases the pain of a contraction.

Good because… It’s up to you when you take it and it doesn’t stay in your system or affect your baby. Some women swear by it as it takes the edge off the pain and gives you something to concentrate on.

Bad because… Some women hate it because it can make you feel sick, light-headed, dizzy, and even drunk, and it doesn’t take the pain away immediately. It can also be distracting and make you feel out of control.

M&B tip: Have sips of water or suck on ice cubes as gas and air can dry your mouth out.

Pethidine

What is it? A morphine-like drug, which is injected into your bottom or thigh. It dulls the pain by acting on the nerve cells in your spine and brain.

Good because… if you’re feeling anxious it will help you to relax, so much so that you may even be able to sleep in between contractions.  A midwife can administer it without instruction from a doctor, so it can be used at hospital, or at home.

Bad because… you can end up feeling dizzy or drowsy, which may slow your labour down and if you have it too close to the end of labour, it can cross the placenta and make your baby drowsy and slow to breathe or feed.

M&B tip: Remember this isn’t an instant form of pain relief - it takes 20 minutes to take effect.

Epidural

What is it? Local anaesthetic which is injected into your back by an anaesthetist to deaden the nerves between spine and cervix. A mobile epidural is a low-dose version, allowing you to keep enough feeling in your legs to move around.

Good because… more than 90% of women get complete pain relief, making this the most effective pain relief method.

Bad because… An anaesthetist may not always be on hand to administer it. Plus you’ll be attached to a drip in case your blood pressure drops, This means you’ll be bed bound, so there’s no chance of an active labour. Also, the length of labour may increase because you won’t know when to push as you won’t be able to feel contractions.

M&B tip: If you know you definitely want an epidural, mention it to your midwife as soon as you get to the labour ward.

Water birth

What is it? Pretty self explanatory really. You spend all or part of your labour in a birthing pool and you can also deliver your baby into the water.

Good because… Warm water can ease the pain of contractions and an aching back, and floating in the water supports your body, making it easier to move into different positions. You’re also less likely to tear or require intervention and water can be used alongside gas and air if you need it.

Bad because… A pool may not be available when you need one in hospital. (You can hire one for use at home from The Good Birth Company, from £165 for four weeks. Visit thegoodbirth.co.uk for more info.)

M&B tip: It’s best not to get into the pool before you’re 5cm dilated, as it may slow your labour down.

Hypnotherapy

What is it? Learning simple hypnosis techniques to help you remain calm and relaxed through labour. Visit natalhypnotherapy.co.uk or hypno-birthing.org.uk for more info.

Good because… It’s a drug free approach to pain relief and improves your whole attitude to labour and pain. Your partner can also get involved which will make him feel more useful.

Bad because… Courses are expensive (around £280 per couple) and some women find it hard to relax enough to use the techniques when it comes to actual labour.

M&B tip: Buy a Natal Hypnotherapy CD for £16 or £50 for a complete pregnancy programme.