Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Please introduce yourself, How many

weeks pregnant are you? How are

you feeling?

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Welcome and Housekeeping

Today’s learnings:

You will understand natural and pharmacological strategies for pain relief for each stage of labour

You will understand the importance of monitoring your baby during birth

You will understand options when things don’t go as planned

You will meet and network with other parents

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Natural birth Water birth

Caesearean

Home birth

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Monitoring your Baby during labour Babies heart rate will be checked regularly using a handheld Doppler Ultrasound machine or a CTG Machine Physical and Vaginal Examinations will also be performed to determine babies position and labour progress.

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Natural Relaxation and Pain Relief Options

• Positioning

• Music/Lighting

• Massage

• Shower

• Bath

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Active birth and Positions in labour

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Massage in labour

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Water in labour

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

TENS in labour- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Question – Do you know what types of pharmaceutical pain relief will be available if you need it?

PAIN RELIEF

• Nitrous Oxide Gas

• Narcotic injection

• Epidural

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Nitrous Oxide Gas Benefits

• You are in control of the use

• Helps relaxation

• Works quickly/Wears off instantly

• No known effect on your baby

Disadvantages

• Can make you feel nauseas

• Some women don’t like the taste

• Sometimes limits movement

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Narcotic injection Benefits

• Helps relaxation

• Can help you rest if your latent phase

• Of labour is long

Disadvantages

• Can make you feel nauseas

• Makes you feel drowsy/sleepy

• You may still feel the effects after the birth

• Crosses the placenta

• Can have a negative effect on initiation of breastfeeding

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Benefits of epidurals: • Relieves labour pain more effectively than any

other form of pain relief. • Usually you can move about and still be able to

push your baby out. • Can be inserted at any stage of labour. • Is very safe. Disadvantages: • Usually effects your mobility • Can make you feel drowsy and/or nausea • Can limits what you feel during the ‘pushing

phase’

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

When things don’t go as planned…….

Pre-term labour

Inducing labour

Forceps

Vacuum

Caesarean Section

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

When things don’t go as planned……. Pre-term labour

• Labour before 37 weeks

• Call hospital if contractions or

waters break before 37 weeks

• Depending on your gestation you

may not be able to birth at your

booked hospital

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

When things don’t go as planned……. Induction- Reasons

• If you are more than 10 days

overdue

• If you are unwell (e.g. High BP)

• If your baby is unwell or not

growing

• Your waters have broken and you

do not go into labour naturally

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Vacuum, Forceps Caesarean Section

Reasons- Vacuum/Forceps • If your baby is getting

distressed in the second stage • If you have diminished

pushing sensation from epidural

• If your baby is in an awkward position

• You may require an episiotomy with the vacuum or forceps

Reasons- C/S • Mother and or baby unwell • Placenta too low in uterus • Labour not progressing well

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Links & Resources

King Edward Memorial Hospital Guidelines Pain Management in Labour (webpage)

Baby Centre Episiotomy Assisted Birth (Forceps & Ventouse) Monitoring your Baby During Labour

Pain Relief and Birth Interventions

Useful apps and reading