Pain Relief Options During Labour: Making Informed Choices
Your Approach to Pain Relief
Yes, offer me options
You want your healthcare team to present and discuss pain relief options during labour.
- • Staff will offer epidural, IV medications, and other options
- • You'll receive information about benefits and risks
- • Final decision is always yours to make
- • Options may include epidural, nitrous oxide, or IV pain relief
Please do not offer
You prefer your healthcare team not suggest pain medications unless you specifically ask.
- • Staff will not proactively offer pain relief options
- • You can still request pain medication if you change your mind
- • Supports your natural birth plan preferences
- • Focus on non-medical comfort measures first
Use as little as possible
You want to minimize pain medication but are open to it if labour becomes very difficult.
- • Try natural methods first (breathing, positioning, water)
- • Medication offered only if pain becomes overwhelming
- • Lowest effective doses when medication is used
- • Balance between natural birth goals and comfort
Medical Pain Relief Options
Epidural
Regional anaesthesia that blocks pain in the lower half of your body while keeping you awake and alert.
What to Expect:
- • Most effective pain relief option for labour
- • Allows you to rest while still feeling pressure during pushing
- • Can be adjusted throughout labour
- • May slow down labour and require continuous monitoring
- • Requires IV access and anaesthetist
- • Small risk of headache or temporary leg weakness
Gas and Air (Entonox)
A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe through a mask or mouthpiece during contractions.
What to Expect:
- • Self-administered - you control when to use it
- • Doesn't eliminate pain but makes it more manageable
- • Allows full mobility during labour
- • May cause dizziness or nausea for some women
- • No effect on baby
- • Can be used with other pain relief methods
Pethidine
An opioid medication given through injection that helps reduce pain intensity during labour.
What to Expect:
- • Given as injection into muscle or through IV
- • Provides moderate pain relief for 2-4 hours
- • May cause drowsiness and nausea
- • Can affect baby's breathing if given close to delivery
- • Not suitable if delivery expected within 2-4 hours
- • May interfere with early breastfeeding
Important to Remember:
Your pain relief preference can always change during labour. There's no "right" or "wrong" choice - the best approach is what makes you feel most comfortable and supported. Selecting these medications indicates you're open to them if needed, but doesn't mean you must use them.
External Resources
Pain relief and anaesthesia choices during labour
https://www.labourpains.org/during-labour/pain-relief-and-anaesthesia-choices-during-labourPain relief and medication during labour
https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/preparing-for-labour-and-birth/pain-relief-and-medication-during-labour/Pain relief in labour
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/pain-relief-in-labour/