The Inside Scoop on Pain Management During Labor

Content medically reviewed by Amity Heinbuch, APRN, CNM

Bringing a new life into the world is a beautiful experience. Pain management during labor helps you focus on what’s most important – your new baby.

“The goal isn’t to eliminate all pain,” said Amity Heinbuch, certified nurse-midwife at Essentia Health. “Rather, pain management techniques take the edge off and help pregnant women work through the labor and delivery process.”

Learning how to manage childbirth pains can help you have the birth experience you desire. 

Natural Pain Management Options

If you’re looking for natural pain management during labor, there are plenty of options. 

“Natural pain relief methods reduce the need for medical intervention,” Heinbuch said. “They provide laboring people a sense of control over the childbirth process.”

Natural birth options that you may benefit from include – 

• Acupressure. Pressure applied to certain areas of the body helps relieve pain. This relaxation technique can also help progress labor and reduce nausea. 
• Aromatherapy. Essential oils can help you relax and even provide pain relief during labor. 
• Birthing ball. By rotating your pelvis on this exercise ball during labor, you may reduce pressure on the joints that link the pelvis to the lower spine. 
• Brain training. Guided imagery is one way to work through or block out pain. For this to be effective, you’ll need to practice during the weeks or months leading up to labor. 
• Breathing techniques. Focusing on and controlling your breathing can help as labor progresses. Learn how to breathe your way toward reduced pain through Essentia Health’s pregnancy and birthing classes.
• Hydrotherapy. Laboring in a tub of water or shower can help you relax, dilate, and move through labor. At Essentia Health, our birthing suites feature tubs and showers, giving you instant access to hydrotherapy.
• Massage therapy. You may experience pain relief through your birthing partner’s massage. The area and intensity of massage may need to change as labor progresses and your needs change.

Finding Relief Through Medicine

There are three main pain relief medication options –

• Epidural. This pain management option is the most common option used during labor. Your provider places an epidural block in your spinal cord, and the epidural effects last throughout labor and delivery. While some women may need additional medication to manage pain, an epidural is the most effective of all medicated options.
• Intravenous (IV) pain medication. A low dose of narcotics helps take the edge off your contractions. IV medication can help as your labor progresses. 
• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas). While not a pain medication, this 50/50 mixture of nitrogen and oxygen helps you relax during labor. Once you exhale nitrous oxide, it leaves your system. 

Priming Yourself for Pain Relief

For effective pain management during labor, take steps to prepare yourself beforehand. Heinbuch suggests the following –

• Be prepared. Learn all you can about pain management during labor. If you plan to use natural pain relief methods, make sure to practice breathing, guided imagery, or acupressure in advance. Preparing ahead of time ensures you have the skills necessary to use those methods during labor.
• Get healthy. Choose nutritious foods and exercise regularly to gain an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy and strengthen your body for labor and delivery. As a result, you’ll be less likely to require medical intervention while giving birth.
• Have support. Identify someone you trust to stay with you when you give birth. That person could be a partner, parent, other family member, or friend. Tell your support person how to best help you during labor and delivery. When the time comes to deliver, rely on your support person to help make your experience a positive one.

Put Your Pain Management Preferences in Writing

Everyone has different preferences about pain management during labor. However, you should not feel pressured to follow one person’s recommendation. After all, this is your birth experience. What works for one person may not be best for you. 

To make sure your care team knows what you want, think about how you envision managing pain during labor and write it down. Some call this a birth plan. Heinbuch calls it a birth preferences document. 

“Every birth experience is unique and unpredictable,” Heinbuch said. “No matter what happens, we always want the best for mom and baby. Sometimes, that means deviating from your plan, and that’s OK. Being flexible and adaptable helps you enjoy your experience, even if things go don’t exactly as planned.”