Obstetrical Care

Pain Management in Labor

Active labor is the faster, more intense part of labor. A woman having her first baby will progress about three cm per hour during this stage, and a subsequent pregnancy can progress even faster.

This is the phase of labor during which we recommend you come to the hospital. This is also the point in labor during which many women prefer pain management.

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Non-medical Methods for Pain Relief

1. Hydrotherapy
Warm water immersion in a tub is relaxing and provides pain relief for some women. Prentice Women’s Hospital has two large birthing tubs available for hydrotherapy use. These are available on a first come, first serve basis. At NMG Obstetrics and Gynecology, this is an option for our midwife patients. There are also certain complications and medical conditions that limit hydrotherapy as a safe option. Please discuss more with your midwife if this is something you are interested in.

2. Walking and position changes

3. Applying hot packs

4. Taking a warm shower

5. Sitting on a birthing ball
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6. Massage

Medical Methods for Pain Relief

1. Epidural Anesthesia

An “epidural” is a regional numbing medicine (sometimes combined with a narcotic) that is injected into the epidural space in the spinal column.

Prentice Women’s Hospital is staffed 24/7 by a team of specially trained OB Anesthesiologists, so rarely is it ever “too late” for an epidural. This is the most effective method of pain relief available, and it significantly reduces the discomfort experienced with labor and delivery.

It is also a local method of providing anesthesia, meaning it does not travel through the placenta or make you sleepy. It is important to know that once you have an epidural, you cannot stand or walk. Most women are still able to push effectively with an epidural, despite some numbness sensation.

2. Narcotics

Pain medication can be administered via an IV for temporary pain relief. This works within a few seconds to help take the edge off of labor pain; however, it can make some patients feel nauseous or sleepy.

These medications also pass through the placenta and can temporarily affect the baby, and for this reason they cannot be given too close to delivery.