Labour is an intense physical and emotional experience. As it progresses, your body naturally releases endorphins to help you cope. There are also many additional ways to manage pain, and what works best varies from person to person.
In early labour, it's often helpful to rest and conserve your energy. Supportive measures include staying hydrated, eating regular snacks, emotional support from whānau, warm baths or showers, remaining upright and mobile, gentle movement and rocking, breathing and relaxation techniques, and using a TENS machine.
A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine delivers small electrical impulses through pads placed on your back. These can help reduce pain signals and give you a sense of control, as you can adjust the intensity yourself throughout labour.
Many people find labouring in a deep birth pool very comforting. Warm water helps with relaxation, movement, and coping with contractions, and is often particularly helpful during established labour.
A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, inhaled through a mouthpiece during contractions. It can take the edge off contractions, help you focus on your breathing, and provide a sense of control. Effects wear off quickly and don't affect your baby, though it can sometimes cause dizziness, nausea or light-headedness.
An opioid such as morphine may occasionally be offered, providing temporary relief and helping you rest during a prolonged or tiring labour. Because opioids can affect your baby's breathing after birth, they're not usually given if birth is expected within the next few hours.
An epidural provides highly effective pain relief and can be particularly helpful during a long, complex, or medically complicated labour. An anaesthetist places a small catheter into the epidural space in your lower back, delivering local anaesthetic to numb the lower part of your body.
If you choose an epidural, you'll need an IV drip, usually a urinary catheter (as bladder sensation is reduced), continuous monitoring of your baby's heartbeat, and regular blood pressure checks. You won't be able to walk independently, but can usually move and change position in bed with assistance.
