Pain relief options for labour

Pain is a normal part of the labour process. Many people choose not to have any pain relief during labour. Others choose to have medicines to help with them cope with the sensations. It is your choice whether you have pain relief or not.

Natural or drug free pain relief

TENS machine

A TENS machine is a pocket-sized, battery-operated device that sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the body to block pain signals. It is best used in early labour and while at home. Depending on where you’re giving birth, you may need to supply your own TENS machine.

Massage

Some women find massage helpful. Talk to your support person about this option before you go into labour.

Rhythmic breathing

Rhythmic breathing during labour maximises the amount of oxygen available to you and your pēpi. Breathing techniques can also help you cope with the pain of contractions. Ask your midwife or doctor about breathing techniques.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to affect how you are feeling. Ask your midwife or doctor or seek professional advice about oils that will be effective in labour.

Medical pain relief

Gas and air (Entonox)

Entonox is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen you breathe through a mouthpiece. It only takes a minute to work and wears off quickly, so it can be used with each contraction. Entonox can make you feel light-headed or sick. These side effects go away rapidly when you stop breathing the gas. Entonox has no known side effects on pēpi.

Morphine

Morphine is intended to make you feel more relaxed and able to cope better with the pain of labour, but does not block pain completely. Your midwife or doctor can give you an injection of morphine. Morphine can make you feel sick, so is often given with medications to reduce this feeling. Morphine can make both you and your pēpi drowsy, so is not usually given within 2 hours of birth.

Epidural

An epidural numbs the lower part of your body. An anaesthetist will inject local anaesthetic in your lower back near the spinal cord. They will insert a small plastic tube into the epidural space so that you can have further pain relief if needed. An epidural requires a drip in your arm and may require a catheter in your bladder, because you might not feel the urge to wee (pass urine). Your pēpi’s heartbeat will be continually monitored and your blood pressure checked regularly.

If you have ever had a reaction to an anaesthetic drug, please tell your midwife or doctor.