If you choose to have a home birth, what kind of pain relief can you have?

Question

If any, of course. Obviously I know you can't get an epidural, but what are some other options?

Answer 1

My midwife offers narcotic pain relief at the birthing center I go to, but I'm not sure about home births.

There is also a doctor (M.D.) in my area that delivers babies at his clinic, and also does home births. He provides narcotics for home births, if requested.

It would depend on your midwife and what she is certified to offer. I'm pretty sure she would at least have to be a Certified Nurse Midwife. At the minimum, there is always Tylenol, massage and a birthing pool or tub.

Answer 2

Mothers who give birth at home are less likely to need pain relief due to them being more relaxed in the familar environment of home.

However, drugs available at home births will vary according to where you live.
Most areas will provide Entonox ('gas and air' - a mixture of Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, and Oxygen), the midwife will bring it with here when she arrives.

TENS machines can be rented out from the NHS or from a local chemist that has the service. A TENS machine uses electrical bursts to interupt the pain messages going to your brain.

Many Mothers swear by birthing pools for offering pain relief, you can rent them or buy them from many companies.

Answer 3

Talk to a midwife.

Usually with a home birth, there is no pain relief. Since you are not in a clinical setting, there are no tools to observe your heartrate and BP during birth, so if you start having complications from whatever pain meds you take during delivery, there is no one there and not enough equipment to help you recover.

You can try meditation and relaxation techniques. The midwife can help you reposition so you are more comfortable. You can take tylenol.

Answer 4

Usually they can't give you any kind of drugs, but they might give you some herbal things. And it might be a good idea to look into renting a birthing tub because getting in a tub of warm water will definitely help with pain relief. I have a sister who did that. Mostly, though, with homebirths, you just focus on using breathing and relaxation as your main forms of pain management, and also finding positions to put your body in that put less strain on certain parts of you, etc.

Answer 5

None. You can use techniques such as hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, acupressure, massage, etc. But there are generally no drugs available in home births. This is one of the benefits of them. You're able to experience the natural pain relief and euphoria of the oxytoxicin that's released into your (and your baby's system) shortly before delivering.

I did natural. It's not that bad.

Answer 6

my midwife said she could bring a few tins of gas and air doesnt yours offer that-it works wonders for me all the way through

Answer 7

Ice

Answer 8

tens-machine!