Childbirth Class - Medications
Find out about pain medication and intervention for birth
In this class, we look at the medical interventions used during labor and birth and discover when they might be needed.
Class Three
In the third class of our online childbirth class series, we will look at how medical interventions, including the use of pain medication, may come into your labor and birth. It may be helpful to research all of the various options available to you as you prepare for the big day. Part of your research may also involve writing a birth plan to share with all of the members of your birth team. So, let's move ahead into Class Three!
Step One: Pain Medication Options
One of the biggest fears of expectant mothers is how they will cope with labor pain. Undoubtedly your labor and birth will likely be a challenging time for you as your contractions progress and labor intensifies. The good thing is that you have many options for pain relief at your disposal. We learned in Class Two about the non-medical options for pain relief. Even if you choose a form of pain medication, you may need to use some of these non-medical pain relief techniques in combination with medication. Non-medical pain relief typically does not erase all of your pain. Here a brief look at some of the most common pain medications:
- Epidural Analgesia - epidurals are very commonly administered in most US hospitals today. The distinct advantage of the epidural is a "numbing" of most of the labor pain, even though most mothers can still feel contractions and even some of the pressure needed for pushing. However disadvantages of epidurals include a lack of mobility, slowed progress, reduced ability to push, and a host of interventions including continuous fetal monitoring, IV's and often pitocin.
- Narcotics (Stadol, Nubain) - these are also used frequently and administered thru an IV. Narcotics act to provide relaxation, but they are "mind-altering" and do not act directly to numb contraction pain. Some mothers find it even harder to cope after they are given narcotics.
Step Two: Options and Information on Medical Interventions
As you begin to write your birth plan, you might investigate some of the interventions used in medical settings and when they are used. Here is a list of the most commonly used interventions:
- IV's - intravenous fluid used to hydrate mother or administer medication
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring - uses ultrasound to detect the baby's heart rate and a pressure-sensitive gauge to detect contractions.
- Pitocin - Hormone used to stimulate contractions or start labor via IV
- Amniotomy - Artificially breaking the mother's bag of waters
- Episiotomy - A cut in the perineal tissue made by the provider during crowning.
- Vacuum extractor - Care provider uses a suction cup to assist with the mother's pushing efforts
- Forceps - Not as commonly used today but is used by care provider to provide traction and assist with mother's bearing down efforts during pushing.
Step Three: Writing Your Birth Plan
As you review your options for labor, mothers will often have a "gut level" response to some of the interventions. You may feel very strongly either in favor of using something in your labor or be very opposed to it. Remember that all of the interventions that are listed in the section above should not be used without your written or verbal consent and never without an indicated risk to you or your baby.
It may be helpful to review two articles on the topic of birth plans, namely what to include in your birth plan and a sample birth plan to read over that may serve as a guide for you.
Rather than thinking of a birth plan as a list of demands, it should be viewed as a communication tool between you and your primary care providers. An obstetrician once told a client of mine that the patients who ask the most questions get the best care. Writing a birth plan can help prompt you to ask the right questions that are the most important to you.
Step Four: Review Comfort Measures
Are you ready for labor? Be sure to be practicing your relaxation and breathing techniques and review your positions for comfort during labor. Also try these toning exercises to prepare your body for the hard work ahead.
Class Four is just around the corner and will include information about cesarean birth, inductions and how to start labor naturally.
