Pain Management in labour
Pain is an inalienable part of labour and throughout the ages we have tried to lessen this pain futilely. Although many different pain management techniques have been described, the individual efficacy of each one is not known. However a few basic tenets of pain management are known to be effective in relieving the pain of labour.
Relaxation increases pain tolerance through a number of mechanisms including the reduction of fear, decreased catecholamine’s response, increased blood flow to the uterus and reduced muscle tension. The following therapies may help lessen pain:
Music Therapy
Music therapy has shown a significant improvement in pain scores. Use of soft soothing music is associated with a easier labour and better foetal outcomes.
Massage
Massage helps soothe your frayed nerves. It also reduces tension, anxiety, agitation and depressed mood.
Hot/Cold applications
Application of a hot water bottle or electric blanket around your abdomen will help lessen the pain. Pain will also respond to application of ice packs over lower back or vagina.
Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises are a great way to beat the pain of labour. Deep breathing increases oxygen in your blood and relaxes your mind and body. When you have pain, try this technique. Breathe in deeply and hold for a few seconds. Then breathe out taking care to empty your entire lungs. Then repeat this process every time you have contractions.
During the first and second stages of labour, you will have the urge to push. But pushing in the background of a incompletely dilated cervix is counterproductive and will leave you exhausted. Deep breathing will help you control the urge to push and hence is especially beneficial.
Doing these exercises judiciously during labour can to a great extant reduce the pain of labour. For more information on pharmacologic management of labour pains, read the article on epidural analgesia.
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