Pain relief
Probably since you decided on a home birth, most people will have
asked what you'll do without an epidural. Well, while it's true that you
cannot have an epidural at a home birth, not every hospital birth has
an epidural either! It also doesn't mean that you have to go through your
whole labour without any form of pain relief at all, unless that's what
you choose to do. So what options are open to yo
Common forms of pain relief
Your midwife will carry both entonox (gas and air) and pethidine, an
opium derivative that is injected into a muscle. It's worth asking your
midwife to check the entonox is in working order, as there have been occasions
when a cylinder has been faulty but it's been too late in the woman's
labour to do anything about it.
Pethidine can be used in a home birth but, as in hospital, the drug does
carry some side effects for the baby including breathing difficulties.
Whenever pethidine is used, the antedote Narcan should be available to
reverse respiratory problems.
Complementary therapies
If you're having your baby at home, you'll be free to cope with contractions
in any way that seems appropriate to you. So if this means walking around
on all fours with an icepack on your back then so be it! However, there
are many documented methods that help with pain relief.
- Water birth - Research has shown that water has an incredible
effect on reducing pain in childbirth. Author and founder of the Active
Birth Centre Janet Balaskas says, "When a woman can focus on the power
of contractions, and work with them, she responds in a smoothly co-ordinated
way. Instead of fighting her body, she 'listens' to what it is telling
her." To find out more about waterbirth click here
- Relaxation and yoga - Lisa Trivell is a yoga instructor and
says yoga is beneficial throughout pregnancy as well as in labour. ""Symptoms
of discomfort like backache, fatigue, weight gain and mood swings are
eased, and yoga breathing techniques are helpful during labour." Janet
Balaskas offers a unique form of gravitational yoga especially adapted
for pregnancy.
- Positions - choosing positions that are most comfortable for
you. Many women find that lying on your back actually increases your
pain so experiment to find your most comfortable position.
- Massage - gentle massage, either with or without aromatherapy
oils, can soothe common labour pains such as backache. Try and get your
birthing partner to be involved and learn some simple massage techniques.
- Distraction - most effective during the early stages of labour,
watch TV, listen to music or (if you want to) do a bit of housework.
- TENS machines - send off small electrical impulses encouraging
your body to produce endorphins, a natural painkiller.
- Hypnotherapy - this is a form of self-hypnosis and breathing
techniques designed to reduce pain in labour. Find
out more in our feature on hypnobirthing.
Where to next?
- Click here
for more information on pain relief in labour
- Back to Home Birth main section
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