f your baby is entering the world through a vaginal delivery and you’re not keen on feeling the pain, you can opt for pain relief. Or even if you intend to go drug free, it’s still a good idea to be informed of your options during labor since circumstances (and feelings) can change in an instant. Some deliveries are quick and relatively easy; some are long and exhausting — but unfortunately, you can’t predict your labor and delivery.

There are several styles of pain relief to choose from for childbirth, either used alone or in conjunction with each other.

NARCOTICS & TRANQUILIZERS
LOCAL ANESTHESIA
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
GENERAL ANESTHESIA

NARCOTICS & TRANQUILIZERS
Both can be administered orally, through an IV or via an injection in your thigh (or rear).

Narcotics are sometimes chosen if you’d like to take the edge off of labor pain but still be physically active and mobile during labor. Options including Demerol or Stadol and can offer 2-6 hours of pain relief, usually during the early stages of labor.

Rarely, tranquilizers (such as Valium) are administered to help relieve anxiety or help you rest in the early stages of labor.

    Pros:

• Doesn’t interfere with pushing during labor.
• Relieves anxiety.

    Cons:

• Some side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and sedation.
• Could affect your baby, causing potential side effects like central nervous system depression or impaired early breastfeeding.
• Doesn’t completely alleviate labor pain.
   

LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Injection of a local anesthesia, like a pudendal block, is used to relieve pain in a specific area, such as the vagina and the perineum in the case of an assisted delivery i.e. forceps or vacuum extraction, a planned episiotomy or when stitching up a tear.

    Pros:

• Offers quick relief.
• Rarely has any negative effect on the mother or the baby.

    Cons:

• Only lasts a limited amount of time.
• Won’t alleviate pain from contractions.
• Local anesthesia can cross the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream.

REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
Epidural Block
You say epidural, we say epidur-ahhhhhhh. One of the most popular forms of pain relief (over 50% of women delivering in hospitals use an epidural), this anesthesia is injected intravenously into the epidural space located around the tough sac (dura) in your lower spinal cord. You can expect to feel relief (numbing the lower half of your body throughout childbirth) within 20 minutes.

An epidural takes about 20 minutes to kick in, but once it does, it’s there to stay (and so is the mom… in bed).

    Pros:

• Ideal for women experiencing long labors, allowing them to relax and rest.
• Can create a more positive birth experience by relieving the pain.
• Allows the mom-to-be to participate in the birth by keeping her alert.
• Medication can be controlled and adjusted throughout your labor (administered either periodically or continuously) offering more or less as needed.

    Cons:

• It could slow down labor (requiring Pitocin to move it along).
• It could make pushing more difficult.
• May cause blood pressure to drop (this will be routinely checked).
   

GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Rarely used anymore during childbirth, this anesthesia will knock you out, resulint in both sensation and consciousness. It may be used in some rare instances, such as during an emergency Cesarean, if an epidural or spinal block is not possible, or for another medical reasons that disallows other methods of pain relief. Also, general anesthesia will allow the uterus to relax, if your doctor determines that this is necessary.

If you are a candidate for general anesthesia, you will likely be given an antacid (especially if your stomach is not completely empty) and an intravenous muscle relaxant. The anesthesia is then usually administered via gas.

    Pros:

• Can be administered quickly if complications arise during childbirth.
• Can be used in cases where the mother cannot tolerate other forms of anesthesia.

    Cons:

• There are higher medical risks to both mother and baby.
• You won’t be able to see your baby right after delivery.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that no award has ever been given to a woman who has declined pain medicine during labor, so there’s no need to feel anything but confident if you decide to go this route.