what are my options as far as pain relief during labor? I don't want an epidural!?

Answer 1

well a epidural offers the best pain relief:Many types of medication can be used during labor and delivery.

Epidural and spinal blocks can reduce the pain of contractions, and local anesthetics and pudendal blocks can numb the vaginal area in preparation for a surgical procedure during delivery. Occasionally, tranquilizers or barbiturates can be used during labor to relieve anxiety and promote relaxation, but not to relieve painAnesthesia options for labor and delivery
The ideal anesthetic should:

Provide enough pain relief to allow you to deliver your baby with minimal pain and anxiety, leaving you free to fully participate in the experience.

Allow you to push when it is time to do so.

The ideal anesthetic should not:

Stop contractions

Make your baby sleepy

Commonly used obstetrical anesthetics
There are several different forms of anesthesia administered for childbirth. They may be used independently or in conjunction with one another. Some of the most commonly administered anesthetics include:

Local anesthesia
Local infiltration - This series of local injections can make you more comfortable for delivery and for the placement of sutures if you need them.

Sedation
Narcotics or tranquilizers - Administered as an injection or intravenously, narcotics or tranquilizers can help reduce the pain of labor but will not eliminate the pain entirely. They are also used to ease the anxiety that sometimes accompanies the delivery process.

Regional anesthesia
Pudendal block - Administered as injections of local anesthetics to numb the vaginal area in preparation for delivery.
Epidural -- An epidural is a local anesthetic delivered through a tiny tube called a catheter placed in the small of the back, just outside the spinal canal. An advantage of the epidural is that it allows most women to fully participate in the birth experience (continue to feel touch and pressure) while relieving most, if not all, of the pains of labor. In most cases, the anesthetist will start the epidural when cervical dilation is four to five centimeters. Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to place the epidural earlier.
Spinal (intrathecal) -- This anesthetic is similar to an epidural, but because it is administered with a needle into the spinal canal, its effects are felt much faster. You may feel numb and need assistance in moving during the delivery. Spinal anesthetics are sometimes used for delivery by cesarean section or when the use of forceps is indicated. Epidurals or spinals cannot be used if the patient: uses blood thinners or has a bleeding tendency; is hemorrhaging or in shock; has an infection in the back or the blood; has an unusual anatomic condition or spinal abnormality; or if time is of the essence.

Answer 2

Unless there's a medical reason you don't want an epidural, you should keep your options open and never say never. :) I said the same thing going in, and by the time I got to 5 cm, I was begging for one. It hurt...oh yes it hurt going in. However, the relatively short lasting pain of having it put in didn't even come close to the pain of contractions. I went from 3 cm to 5 cm (without pain relief) in 3 1/2 hours. After my epidural, I dilated the other 5 cm in less than an hour and a half.

If you're totally opposed to it, or really can't have one, ask your doctor about Stadol. After they put in the epidural, they give you a "test" dose of a medicine to make sure the epidural is inserted correctly, and they gave me Stadol. OMG...if I could get my hands on a prescription of that stuff...wooooo! Unfortunately, it wore off after about 10 - 15 minutes (they only give you a TINY dose). If you opt to take it for pain relief, they can insert it via an IV. It actually works better than Demerol or Morphine (per my ob/gyn), and is very safe for you and the baby.

Answer 3

I don't know all the options; many are listed. You should consider techniques associated with natural childbirth. I know that everyone's heard of Lamaze, and there are others less well known. Another is the Bradley method. We studied the Bradley method and it was promising. You might also consider hypnosis and meditation.
The thing to remember is that you don't have to get rid of the pain. You just need to make it manageable. Talk with a doctor. Do research. You have choices; learn and make them. One last thing, you are not locked into a decision until you choose a medication. It is easier to take something later than to take something and change your mind. For the most part there is no right or wrong provided you make an informed decision which will be better for you AND your child. Remember that your child will be medicated if you are.

Answer 4

I didnt either..but really the only other option is a medication in ur IV which from what the doctor told me would not of helped with pain at all...it will just make you really messed up and you wont remember youre childs birth...I woud definitly say get the epidural...IT WORKED WONDERS FOR ME....i was in labor 20 hrs...12 before i got it and OMG...when i did i was thankful..

Answer 5

Don't say "don't" till your there. My advice would be wait until you get there, but talk to your midwife. It depends on the unit your going into to have the baby (some offer different pain relief) but I think it's gas and air first, pethidine (which I think can pass over to the baby - not sure), morphine (can make you pukey), then your epidural. You could go the hippy way and use other 'natural' things - works for some.

Answer 6

The Painless Childbirth Audio Program utilizes self-hypnosis birthing techniques to empower you and give you control over your labor experience. The worries of “what do contractions feel like?” or “will labor hurt?” will be removed if you follow this program. Self-hypnosis is simply a state of extremely focused concentration that allows the mind and body to relax. Studies show that children delivered in stress-free, trauma free, painless natural childbirth environment have higher IQ’s and fewer problems both physically and mentally in their lives. JAMA



- See more at: http://whatdocontractionsfeellike.net/#sthash.QjpiB1Ts.dpuf

Answer 7

I found that taking a warm shower and sitting in a hot tub at the hospital helped a bit.

I caved at the end and got an epidural though...

I didn't want to get one, but you'd be amazed how fast you can change your mind when your in labour (my labour lasted 28 long hours).

Answer 8

breathing methods, duals they are people that are with you from the time that test strip say's yes to the day you say it is time. They rub your feet, your back and help you breath. Your husband can do all this too. Take some classes it will help so much. Or they have this numming med they can give you but you gotta get like 4 shots down there OUCH,I had that done

Answer 9

You really should discuss this at your next antenatal appointment.
Your doctor/midwife will be able to go into detail about everything that is offered in your area, and you will be able to ask the clarifying questions that you need to in order to get the information that you need.

All I had during labour was gas and air- I had a great time on this!!!

Answer 10

You can get IV pain relief you can also do natural child birth if you are feeling like super woman. But trust me if you do end up with one you will love it you can still feel the preasure with out the pain and it makes it alot more pleasent and I was not all worn out from the pain and was ready to love on my Kids the moment they came out trust me the Epi rocks I have had 5 kids