When they look back, many women and their partners say they found it helpful to plan what kind of pain relief they would like to use during childbirth. We describe traditional pain relief options, medicines and alternative approaches as well as their possible adverse effects. You will also find out whether emotional support can help relieve pain during labour.
Getting into water in labour is really just a matter of preference for a woman. There are not very strong medical reasons either for or against birthing pools during labour. more...
Epidurals reduce pain more effectively than other drugs in labour. However births take on average a bit longer and more medical help might be needed for the birth. more...
Some hospitals recommend stopping epidurals late in labour to try and end the birth with less medical help. However there is no evidence that this brings the hoped-for advantages. more...
Waiting longer to start pushing in labour with an epidural could add about one hour of waiting to the length of birth. However, it might not have major advantages or other disadvantages. more...
Walking around during the first stage of labour may be an option for many women using an epidural. But it may have very little influence on the labour or the birth. more...
