Pain Management During Labor?

Question

This may be a dumb question, but what other options are available for pain management during labor besides an epidural? Is there anything that doesn't involve a risk of potential paralysis, as an epidural does? My intention would be to try to go without anything, not because I think I am big and brave, but because most any kind of pain medication tends to disagree with me. But I was just wondering if there are other alternatives besides anything to do directly with your spine?

Answer 1

There are various medications (that are not harmful to baby) that are supposed to take the edge off. But, in my experience, they really don't do what they claim. They make you drowsy, but you still feel every contraction. I would suggest a birthing class to practice breathing and relaxation techniques. I think it is admirable that you want to try a natural labor. But, it hurts and there isn't too much you can do about it. Woman for thousands of years were giving birth without the help of epidurals...you can do it! (And don't be too hard on yourself if you can't!!!)

Good luck!

Answer 2

There's many different things you can do. I reccomend EVERY woman try labor. You might be surprised at how well you tolerate it. I know some women who cry over paper cuts, but can give birth drug free! You need to keep your focus on something other than the pain. If you focus on the pain ALL you are going to feel is the pain. Relaxation is a big key to that. Music can be soothing, aromatherapy, or for a lot of women, they find comfort in water either a bath or shower-most hospitals now have showers in the birthing suites for this purpose! Sitting on a birthing ball can help open the pelvis and relieve the pain of baby's decent through the pelvis. It won't be "pain free" but it'll be manageable. Some try hypnotherapy, but I don't really know much about it. If that fails, then there's the drugs. Demerol is strong but it will make you so sleepy you may sleep through the birth, and unfortunately it does pass to teh baby and she may be sleepy at birth too. Epidurals can be wonderful, but the key is to get it when you need it. If you get the epidural places too early, it hurts alot to be inserted and you run the risk of it wearing off before you really need it-especially during a first labor which can be longer. Like I said try labor. If the labor gets to be where you just can't stand it anymore and nothing is helping, an epidural can bring great relief, but it's not without problems like numbness in the extremities, severe headache, nausea, shaking, and even nerve damage. There are risks whenever you are having anything inserted or injected into your body. Keep that in mind.

Answer 3

I was scared of the epidural too (even though every other female I knew told me it was wonderful) but never planned on having a natural birth. When I did go into labor (6 weeks early) I mostly just did deep breathing at home and spent a lot of time on my knees and was, at most, 'uncomfortable.' When I got to the hospital I had already missed the window for the epidural and decided to just go without any drugs and it didn't end up being that bad. I was glad that I didn't have to worry about a needle in my spine or possible complications or side effects from any drugs. If I were in your position I would just research as much as I could about natural birth and keep in mind that no matter how much pain there may (or may not) be it won't last forever and then you get to meet your baby!

Answer 4

i just had a baby 7 weeks ago and i was the same way. i was gonna try to go without anything because i was scared of the epidural and the doctor said if you have pain meds through your iv that the baby can come out asleep and that's not good so i said i wasn't gonna get anything that was until i was dilated to 5 and my water still hadn't broke and the doctor wasnt gonna come until later to break it because he was in his office. my contractions starting really picking up and the nurse said after he broke my water they would get worse so i gave in and got the epidural and it was the best choice i made. its not as bad as people make it sound. you do not feel them putting it in because they numb you 1st. it only takes about 5 mins after they put it in and it starts working. after i got i i felt no pain and when i say no pain , i mean none i didnt even know when i was having contractions. thank god for that because i couldnt imagine them being worse then they were at 5. the epidrual is the best choice because ut has no effects on your baby at all. the only bad thind is i got the shakes for about an hour after i got it but that is normal!!!!good luck

Answer 5

Yes, there are lots of alternatives to an epidural. Ask your doctor to provide you with a list. Or, you can look them up online. Here is a good link which explains many, many alternatives, including natural techniques as well as narcotics.

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birthplan/options/manage.html

Answer 6

well you can try the birthing ball in the shower..that is what im gonna do ..its susposed to be the most relaxing and easing of pain...and im like you ..the epidurals are scary ..and the risk of being paralizyed is terrifying..and i cant get one due to prior back injury...there is always the birthing tub if available..and most of the meds nurses or doctors will give you while in labor they sugest not to even get them due to they will make breathing problems for the baby when they come out..so really there is a downfall for that..good luck and congrats.

Answer 7

Nubain and stadol are given through an IV. Those don't really take away the pain but dull it. You can use breathing, walking, rocking, showers or baths, there's something called hypnobirthing, but I have no idea if it works. Many women say it does, so it's worth a shot.

Answer 8

try getting massages or it is the big ball you sit on and massage the pain or just walking it's really not alot of options some people try using the warm pool. watch the baby channel they usually have good ideas on pain control

Answer 9

do lamaz, they are breathing exercis that you do during labor, they may sound dumb and you might think it's silly but it works.
also you could give birth in warm water, it doesn't hurt your baby.
and i don't blame you about the epidural.

Answer 10

Breathing exercises that you learn in birthing class, if pain meds usually don't agree with you, then you really don't have any other option.