Coping with pain
The kind of pain you'll experience during contractions varies. Very often, it feels like a thick band being squeezed around your abdomen as the uterine muscles harden and tighten for a few seconds before relaxing.
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Some women describe it as being like severe menstrual cramp, others feel backache, but there may be a mixture of sensations as the contraction peaks, culminating in a wave of discomfort, which then subsides.
Individual response to pain
You may prefer not to use drugs during labour because they can dim your awareness of what's happening and deprive you of the sensation of giving birth. It's difficult, though, to know your own pain threshold, particularly if this is your first baby. Some women are surprised by the overpowering intensity of their contractions; for others the pain may be made worse by fear and anxiety.
Pain relief in childbirth can be complete, as in epidural anaesthesia, or it can reduce pain to bearable levels as with gas and air and narcotics. Many women choose to have no drugs in the early part of the first stage, then have a low dose of gas and air towards transition. Don't blame yourself if you want some pain relief with drugs. Your labour isn't a test, and the use of drugs may even be essential for you to deliver your baby.
If you haven't made up your mind about the use of painkillers, you may want to do without drugs for as long as possible. If so, a useful tip is to wait 15 minutes after you feel you want pain relief before actually having it. During that time your labour may progress well, and it gives you and your birth partner time to discuss whether or not you can get by with encouragement, or whether you really do feel the pain is increasing to the point where you need some relief.
If you want to participate fully in your baby's birth without dimming your consciousness of the feelings involved, there are alternatives to drugs for pain relief. Also, your body can provide its own brand of painkiller and relaxant, endorphins. The more natural your labour, the more quickly your own endorphins will be produced and your pain threshold increased.
A clear choice to cope with pain
Find out as much as you can about the types of pain relief available. Talk to your doctor, midwife, and hospital staff, and outline your choices in your birth plan. Have an alternative version ready in case any complications arise. Don't hesitate to question the use of drugs, or ask your midwife's advice.
Posted 16.11.2010
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