Epidural or unmedicated labor
There are many options for pain control in labor that vary to extremes. There are spinals(used for cesarean sections)/epidurals, IV pain medication, and no medication with position changes and other various natural pain relief methods. It is important to note the choice is yours, and you should have health care professionals that support and discuss your choices and options.
Spinal/Epidural
The spinal block is mainly used for cesarean sections. Medication is used to get full pain relief, although you may still feel pressure. The more common labor intervention is the epidural. The epidural relieves labor and delivery pain by numbing from the top of the abdomen to about mid thigh, by insertion of a catheter in the lower back to infusing continuous medication, thus relieving the pain of labor and delivery. Most(about 85-90%) chose to eliminate labor pain by getting an epidural. Some of the advantages include a relaxed pain free delivery, the medication does not affect the baby and a more controlled delivery. Disadvantages include the decreased sensation to push and the inability to be mobile during labor and immediately following delivery.
IV Medication
IV medication is also a choice for pain control. The medication dulls the pain receptors to decrease the pain. The advantages to IV medication is that it does not require a procedure to place, it can be given through the existing IV, and it is fast acting. The disadvantages include the medication affecting the baby, inability to give close to delivery, and decreased affect with long usage.
Natural(unmedicated)labor
An unmedicated labor is just that, no medications are administered to help with pain. Most mother’s who choose this option usually choose to allow labor to start naturally without induction and use methods of breathing, concentration, position change, and tub and shower soaking to ease the pain of labor. Some choose to use doulas, and others choose to use their partners as their support, both options are feesable.
Whatever option for pain control you use, in order to be successful in your delivery, you must communicate your wishes to your partner, your practioner, and your nurses, all will aid in ensuring your labor runs smoothly.