Supriya has been talking to her friends. She is very apprehensive about going through labour. As her due date approaches, her anxiety and fear increase exponentially. Some of her friends and relatives have used some ill-chosen words to describe the travails of labour. She is really frightened about going through labour. Will she be able to tolerate labour? Her husband has promised to be with her through the labour but she still needs reassurance that there will be pain relief offered to her during labour and delivery. Supriya need not worry. Modern obstetrics offers her many choices.

In every language in the world, the words for childbirth and labour are synonymous with pain. The joy of giving birth is always coloured with the fear of pain during labour. Some women dread childbirth to the extent of demanding a cesarean section instead of going through natural childbirth.

There are many ways to lessen pain during labour and the birth of a baby. Being prepared with knowledge of the birth process is the first step towards being able to handle labour pains. Labour preparation classes for the couple are very important. There are also safe pain-relieving drugs that can be given as an injection. Newer methods include epidural analgesia which cuts off the pain of labour without interfering with the action of labour contractions.

The type of pain relief that is right for you depends on your pain threshold. Some women can tolerate pain to a greater extent than others. Some women have a very low threshold for pain and this, combined with the fear of labour pains, can make them very intolerant of the slightest pain. A woman’s physical fitness, having taken labour preparation classes, the length of labour, the intensity of labour pains, and the size of the baby play a role in the ability to handle the pain of labour.

What types of drugs are used for pain relief?

Pain relief offered during labour is safe for both the mother and the baby.  

Narcotics (such as Pethidine)) may be used during the first stage of labour to help you relax. Narcotics are usually injected into a muscle (IM) or into a vein (IV). They affect the entire body. Narcotics lessen the pain and can help you feel less tense or anxious.