How to: Choose Pain Management

have some good news for you here: you do not need to do this until the day of labor. I think that the world at large somehow thinks that this is something that needs to be decided on in advance, which has always puzzled me. How can anyone possibly decide what and when they will choose for pain management ahead of being in pain? Some may say, “I KNOW that I am having an epidural!” And to that I would respond that it’s good to know that you are an epidural candidate and it’s something you should communicate to your nurse upon arriving at the hospital.

A few pointers to keep in mind regarding the decision to choose pain medication:

• Choosing a labor narcotic and/or an epidural basically revolves around two things: pain and time. How much pain are you in and how long have you been at it?

• Your nurses are very good at helping you make these decisions. Remember, they are healthcare professionals who do this day in and day out. They can assist with the timing and which option is best suited for the need at hand.

• Your OB/midwife will also be in periodically to check on you. This is often a time to discuss new options based on how you are coping and how labor is progressing.

• Keep in mind that science and technology are constantly advancing and providing new and safe pain management options, allowing you to make your decisions with a sense of confidence.

• McMoyler Method recommends making as much progress in labor as possible before choosing an epidural; just knowing that it is an option is mentally and emotionally very helpful!