You’ve carried your child for 39 weeks in your belly, you’ve gone through quite a lot of body changes during pregnancy and you are more than happy to be a mom. As the delivery day approaches nearer, your anxiety grows and the thought of labor that you need to pursue chills your spine. Believe me, you’re not the only one.
You make predictions regarding the gender of your child seeing your linea nigra, but your mind is still occupied with thoughts of pain that you might feel during labor.”No woman can predict what sort of pain she’ll have during labor or how she’ll cope with it,” says David Wlody, director of obstetric anesthesia at Long Island College Hospital in New York.
However, to manage the pain of giving birth, there are several medications a pregnant woman can take. You are the only one who’s going to feel the pain, so the decision regarding control of your labor remains to yourself. If you are worried about safety, you don’t need to have a second thought. Most anesthetics and medications that are taken during labor are considered safe, with little or no side-effects.
Dabble on the following ways to manage the pain of giving birth so that you don’t have a hard time to bring your child out to the sun.
1. Epidural block
An epidural block is a regional analgesic that is used by a lot of women during labor. An epidural block can be used with other stronger anesthetics, and used shortly before a C-section during birth. All you need to do is sit or lie on your side and let the doctors or nurse inject the analgesic into the epidural space of your spinal cord.
Epidural block is used to alleviate pain in the lower part of the body without needing to slow the process of giving birth. You will stay alert and awake during the process, while it also has no effect on the baby.
This numbing medication is given through the pipe as long as it is necessary. However, you will generally receive a low dose of this medicine as it is safer for you and your baby. It takes ten to fifteen minutes for the drug to take effect, after which you begin to feel better.
2. Spinal block
Another regional analgesia used as a pain reductant after the delivery, the Spinal block is used with a stronger anesthetic. You’ll need to lie on your side during the procedure and let the doctor or nurse inject the medication into the sac of fluid below the spinal cord in the lower back.
This medication provides relief for an hour or two and is generally used with the epidural block. You’ll remain alert and there are no side effects on the baby. However, you might experience some itchiness or face difficulty in breathing.
Spinal blocks alone are seldom used as epidurals are preferred to them. However, they are used in more difficult birth situations or surgical deliveries, usually with the epidural block. You might also experience difficulty in breastfeeding your baby after birth with this medication.
3. Narcotics
Narcotics, or opioids can also be used as a medication during the birth process. These medications are generally injected directly into a muscle and it takes effect in minutes. Narcotics are generally used during more pain as it reduces the perception of labor for two to six hours. Narcotics can also be injected via a port on intravenous tubing.
A new alternative for narcotics medication has also been developed in the form of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). In this medication technique, you can give yourself a dose of IV medication as you need at the push of a button. Using narcotics causes sleepiness and nausea which might affect both the mother and the child with breathing.
Apart from all of these medications, there are some natural remedies that can help you lower stress to keep you motivated. Read some books or pregnancy related quotes and reminisce the thoughts of being a mom soon. Don’t forget to eat nutritious diet and you’re all set to have a great family ahead.
Featured photo credit: Mother with Baby via snap2doorinternational.files.wordpress.com
