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Non-medicated pain relief
I want to give birth without medications. However, I am concerned about how I will handle the pain. What are the best techniques for non-medicated pain relief?
Anxiety has long been associated with pain in labour. Women who participate in childbirth preparation, who acquire knowledge of the stages of labour and the sensations that they may experience, are known to have a more positive birth experience.
Walking in labour, water immersion, massage, acupressure, acupuncture and support have all been shown to reduce pain (or perception of pain) in labour to varying degrees, according to well-planned and executed research studies. Many people have also had successful results using hypnosis.
It has also been shown that women who were supported by another woman have shorter labours and those labours were perceived as less painful.
Women who choose to give birth at home have reported less pain, as well. However, pain is a uniquely personal experience and is difficult to quantify. Paced breathing, as taught in some childbirth education programmes, and position changes have also been shown to provide effective pain management.
Use of a TENS unit, which provides electrical stimulation to the spinal nerves, has been studied and has been shown to be effective in some women and in some types of labour. Recently, several studies have shown the benefit of a superficial administration of sterile water in four locations in the lower back area for the relief of back labour. Results are showing that relief is significant.
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