Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Please introduce yourself, How many
weeks pregnant are you? How are
you feeling?
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Welcome and Housekeeping
Today’s learnings:
You will understand natural and pharmacological strategies for pain relief for each stage of labour
You will understand the importance of monitoring your baby during birth
You will understand options when things don’t go as planned
You will meet and network with other parents
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Natural birth Water birth
Caesearean
Home birth
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Monitoring your Baby during labour Babies heart rate will be checked regularly using a handheld Doppler Ultrasound machine or a CTG Machine Physical and Vaginal Examinations will also be performed to determine babies position and labour progress.
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Natural Relaxation and Pain Relief Options
• Positioning
• Music/Lighting
• Massage
• Shower
• Bath
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Active birth and Positions in labour
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Massage in labour
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Water in labour
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
TENS in labour- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Question – Do you know what types of pharmaceutical pain relief will be available if you need it?
PAIN RELIEF
• Nitrous Oxide Gas
• Narcotic injection
• Epidural
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Nitrous Oxide Gas Benefits
• You are in control of the use
• Helps relaxation
• Works quickly/Wears off instantly
• No known effect on your baby
Disadvantages
• Can make you feel nauseas
• Some women don’t like the taste
• Sometimes limits movement
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Narcotic injection Benefits
• Helps relaxation
• Can help you rest if your latent phase
• Of labour is long
Disadvantages
• Can make you feel nauseas
• Makes you feel drowsy/sleepy
• You may still feel the effects after the birth
• Crosses the placenta
• Can have a negative effect on initiation of breastfeeding
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Benefits of epidurals: • Relieves labour pain more effectively than any
other form of pain relief. • Usually you can move about and still be able to
push your baby out. • Can be inserted at any stage of labour. • Is very safe. Disadvantages: • Usually effects your mobility • Can make you feel drowsy and/or nausea • Can limits what you feel during the ‘pushing
phase’
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
When things don’t go as planned…….
Pre-term labour
Inducing labour
Forceps
Vacuum
Caesarean Section
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
When things don’t go as planned……. Pre-term labour
• Labour before 37 weeks
• Call hospital if contractions or
waters break before 37 weeks
• Depending on your gestation you
may not be able to birth at your
booked hospital
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
When things don’t go as planned……. Induction- Reasons
• If you are more than 10 days
overdue
• If you are unwell (e.g. High BP)
• If your baby is unwell or not
growing
• Your waters have broken and you
do not go into labour naturally
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Vacuum, Forceps Caesarean Section
Reasons- Vacuum/Forceps • If your baby is getting
distressed in the second stage • If you have diminished
pushing sensation from epidural
• If your baby is in an awkward position
• You may require an episiotomy with the vacuum or forceps
Reasons- C/S • Mother and or baby unwell • Placenta too low in uterus • Labour not progressing well
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Links & Resources
King Edward Memorial Hospital Guidelines Pain Management in Labour (webpage)
Baby Centre Episiotomy Assisted Birth (Forceps & Ventouse) Monitoring your Baby During Labour
Pain Relief and Birth Interventions
Useful apps and reading