Opioids
These medications are given in small doses and used in the earlier stages of labor. They are a good option for those looking for temporary pain relief in the moment. Opioids reduce your awareness of pain and help many people rest. , You will still have full sensation during labor. They are given through an IV or as a muscle injection, usually work within a few minutes, and can last up to several hours. You and your baby will be monitored closely while you receive this medication. They may make you feel sleepy, which can be helpful for those who have not slept well in the days leading up to labor. It is important to know that they are not often used later in labor as they do cross the placenta and affect the baby. If they are given close to the time of birth, they can cause Baby to have some difficulty breathing after they are born, which may require an extra medication to be given to Baby to reverse the effect of the pain medication. Many people compare IV medication to how they feel after drinking alcohol or using marijuana. If you don’t like the sensation of being a little fuzzy or dizzy, this may not be the right choice for you.
Nitrous oxide
While common in places like Australia and the U.K., it is increasing in popularity in the United States. You may know it as “laughing gas.” Nitrous oxide causes relaxation and an overall feeling of well being. It does not relieve pain, but helps you to cope with it more calmly. It is given through a face mask that you hold up to your own face and give to yourself as needed. This is an important part of the safety of nitrous oxide, so you don’t get too much. No one else should hold the mask for you and it shouldn’t be strapped onto your face like oxygen commonly is.
Epidural
This is the most common form of pain management used in childbirth in the United States. An epidural blocks pain and other sensations from the upper abdomen on down, offering relief from contractions but still allowing you the ability to change positions within your bed and feel the urge to push your baby out. When you’re admitted to the hospital, it’s a common practice for someone from the anesthesia team to come to your labor room to introduce themselves and tell you about the epidural. They’ll review the benefits and risks and explain how it’s placed. As soon as you’re ready for an epidural, they will come to your room for the placement and it will work within 20-30 minutes. An epidural catheter is inserted into your epidural space, and medication continuously runs until after you have your baby. During labor, it can be helpful to communicate early if you’re considering an epidural as it takes some time to place and begin to work. Be sure to speak to your pregnancy provider prior to your delivery so you feel well informed when the big day comes.
General anesthesia
While it’s unlikely, general anesthesia might be used during your birth. General anesthesia is used as a back-up plan for cesarean delivery in the event of an emergency when an epidural or spinal dose is not able to be administered as quickly as needed.. It puts you to sleep and causes a total loss of sensation. While general anesthesia is used in emergency situations where the benefits outweigh the risks, it’s important to know that it can cause the baby to have difficulty breathing at birth.General anesthesia does not cause brain damage or developmental delay to Baby. The risk to you is the chance of breathing stomach contents into your lungs. This can cause pneumonia which can be very serious. You will likely need to be intubated (placement of a breathing tube) to reduce the chances of this happening. And most hospitals do not allow a partner to be present in the room if you are asleep. For these reasons, it is a method used only when absolutely necessary.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/medications-for-pain-relief-during-labor-and-delivery
