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Did Your Newborn Suffer Cerebral
Palsy or Another Brain Injury Before
or During Labor and Delivery?
Get a FREE guide of resources available throughout Ohio to children and families of children who were born with brain injuries.
Our guide can help you build a foundation of knowledge and tools that will help you help your child
now and in the future.
As exciting as the thought of welcoming a new member of the family might be, the idea of experiencing intense pain for several hours is not inviting. Thanks to modern medicine, there are ways to alleviate the pain. Alternative options also exist to manage the pain without the use of medication. With so many options available, you should choose the one that’s right for you.
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Many women choose not to take medication for the pain during delivery. They prefer a natural approach. One of the best ways to reduce pain during delivery is by being active during the pregnancy. Physical activity can help you have a shorter labor and make you stronger to deal with the process.
Lamaze has been popular for many years. It’s a natural process that focuses on breathing and relaxation to reduce how much pain you feel. It also uses distraction along with massage to help you deal with the pain. Walking during delivery, taking a bath or just sitting in water has been known to ease the pain. Some mothers choose to listen to music to help them relax.
The doctor can recommend two types of drugs to ease labor pain. The first is an analgesic. They reduce the pain you experience, but you still have feeling throughout your body. They may work on your entire body or just one area.
The second option is anesthetics. This drug numbs you in certain areas, so you have no feeling at all. The most popular of this type of drug is an epidural block. Doctors may also prescribe a spinal block or recommend a combination block known as spinal-epidural.
With an epidural, you get a shot in your lower back. It will take about 20 minutes for you to notice the medication working. You will still be alert but feel nothing. Your blood pressure may also be lowered along with the baby’s heart rate, but it’s relatively safe. However, you may need a catheter because it could impact your ability to urinate.
With a combined spinal-epidural, you get pain relief at a lower dosage. You may even still be able to walk to the bathroom with help because you retain feeling in your legs. The risks are no greater than with a regular epidural.
A spinal block is generally used with a c-section. It’s not often given for a vaginal birth. It blocks all feeling for a few hours, and it has the same risks as an epidural.
Some doctors will prescribe narcotics through an IV if the mother doesn’t want an epidural but does want pain relief. It can impact the baby’s breathing. Tranquilizers are another option to reduce anxiety, but they aren’t given very often.
It’s best to talk to your doctor ahead of time about what kind of pain relief you want during labor. Be prepared that your desires may change, especially if labor is long or especially painful. Many times, the decision will change during childbirth.
Many women choose not to take medication for the pain during delivery. They prefer a natural approach. One of the best ways to reduce pain during delivery is by being active during the pregnancy. Physical activity can help you have a shorter labor and make you stronger to deal with the process.
Lamaze has been popular for many years. It’s a natural process that focuses on breathing and relaxation to reduce how much pain you feel. It also uses distraction along with massage to help you deal with the pain. Walking during delivery, taking a bath or just sitting in water has been known to ease the pain. Some mothers choose to listen to music to help them relax.
The doctor can recommend two types of drugs to ease labor pain. The first is an analgesic. They reduce the pain you experience, but you still have feeling throughout your body. They may work on your entire body or just one area.
The second option is anesthetics. This drug numbs you in certain areas, so you have no feeling at all. The most popular of this type of drug is an epidural block. Doctors may also prescribe a spinal block or recommend a combination block known as spinal-epidural.
With an epidural, you get a shot in your lower back. It will take about 20 minutes for you to notice the medication working. You will still be alert but feel nothing. Your blood pressure may also be lowered along with the baby’s heart rate, but it’s relatively safe. However, you may need a catheter because it could impact your ability to urinate.
With a combined spinal-epidural, you get pain relief at a lower dosage. You may even still be able to walk to the bathroom with help because you retain feeling in your legs. The risks are no greater than with a regular epidural.
A spinal block is generally used with a c-section. It’s not often given for a vaginal birth. It blocks all feeling for a few hours, and it has the same risks as an epidural.
Some doctors will prescribe narcotics through an IV if the mother doesn’t want an epidural but does want pain relief. It can impact the baby’s breathing. Tranquilizers are another option to reduce anxiety, but they aren’t given very often.
It’s best to talk to your doctor ahead of time about what kind of pain relief you want during labor. Be prepared that your desires may change, especially if labor is long or especially painful. Many times, the decision will change during childbirth.