Is there any alternative method besides an epidural to minimize pain?

Answer 1

I had a pain medication, Stadol, through my IV. I also had a nerve block, which are little shots in your birth canal to help ease the pain of when the baby move downs and out of the birth canal. I never had an epidural, those 2 things worked well for me.

Answer 2

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RE:
Is there any alternative method besides an epidural to minimize pain?

Answer 3

One alternative method is to have a natural childbirth; the Bradley method was once very popular. 30 years ago people went to natural childbirth classes to learn ways to cope with the pain including visualization and breathing exercises. I actually had all of my children this way.
People really have built up a fear of pain during childbirth; I'm not saying that it is easy but i do not regret having natural births because my babies were alert and nursed right away without difficulties and I could get up and walk afterwards.

Answer 4

Stadol. It worked ok for me, but made my nose itch unbearably bad! I only got the Stadol because the epidural doc wasnt there yet. For me, the pain releif was a necessity. I'd been in labor for 30 hours, and still wasnt close. The epidural let me get a little rest to regain my strength

Answer 5

There are many methods of alternative pain relief. there are places on your back where your partner or birthing coach can rub/push on to help ease contraction pain. My husband did this while I sat/rocked on a birthing ball and that helped me get through it. Also, look into getting a "hot sock". These look like a big tube sock (which you can also use-just fill it with rice and lavender or other comforting scent) and place it on your back during labor. The heat will help relieve the pain.

My sister-in-law did hypnosis and that helped her a lot.

Answer 6

if you are far enough away from delivery they will sometimes give IV narcotics, they wont give them if your close because they pass to baby and they dont want to deliver the baby drugged. other than taht drug wise you only have an epidural or a spinal block .....either way your getting a needle in your spine. I always swore id never have one, but after 3 natural deliveries number 4 was rough....i was begging for it, they gave me a spinal block . with my first 3 i just used breathing and relaxation techniques....and massage.

Answer 7

They may give you a gas mask if the anaesthetist (who s trained to give the epidural) is not availabe. IV drugs may also be given.
An oxygen mask through which you keep breathing is a good pain reliever too.

Answer 8

They gave me a nice shot of Demoral in my hip one night becasue i needed to sleep and my contracions were keeping me awake.

They also have laughing gas.

Personally... i used the epidural. But it didn't stop ALL the pain.

Answer 9

well there are other alternatives besides epidural - epidural is used in most cases - but discuss it with your physician - see what options are out there for you and choose the one that suits you ....Good luck!

Answer 10

Yes, there are many, many options including medications like stadol and nubain. Talk to your doctor and ask for a complete list.

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