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Pain relief in labour
• An introduction to pain and methods of relief
Labour is painful. ... According to Alexander et al (1990), pain during the first stage of labour is due to cervical dilatation and contraction of the myometrium. Alexander et al (1990) continues to assert that once the dilatation is completed, pain is due to the distension and pressure of the perineum, conveyed by the pudendal nerves. Uterine contractions will manifest as well pain, featuring cramps in the abdomen, groin and back. During intrapartum observation it was observed that some women experienced pain in their sides and thighs. Other causes of pain during labour include pressure of the bladder and bowels by the baby’s head and the stretching of the birth canal and vagina.
During anti-natal discussions women would have heard that pain is purposeful and consequently will be able to provide useful information about labour. Women experience labour pain differently. During parent craft classes a common misconception revealed that women that wanted a natural childbirth argued that they did not want to use pain relief. Unexpectedly they realized that all women use some sort of pain relief. Pain relief can take the form of support breathing, changing positions, resting, massage and water bath. Unnatural ways to reduce pain include entonox, pethidne, and epidurals. ... “The women who underwent a normal labour with good anti-natal preparation and education, careful preventive care, support and companionship of a midwife had a good labour experience”. ... During labour the midwife was able to asses the levels of pain due to contractions by using a cardiotocograph, as well annotate different levels of pain on the partogram. Like this a midwife was able to decide with the consent of the mother, partner or kin what sort of pain relief technique or method will be necessary.
The figure below indicates levels of pain.
Horrible 5
Distressing 4
Discomfort 3
Mild 2
No pain 1
Fig.1
• Natural way to reduce pain
During clinical observation, it was observed that preparation for childbirth reduced the need for pharmacological pain relief. Women in labour need companionship, empathy and help. According to Enkin et al (1995) support by the midwife may include helping the women in her wish to avoid pharmacological methods of pain relief.
Approximate Word count = 1871
Approximate Pages = 7.5
(250 words per page double spaced)
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