Pain Relief During Labor
Childbirth Classes
Taking a childbirth class is a great way to learn about labor and the ways you can help your labor progress as quickly and efficiently as possible. Knowing what labor is like will help your labor to move more quickly because you will be relaxed, which allows your body to work most efficiently to birth your baby. Classes will also assist you in dealing with discomfort during labor. You will learn about medicines as well as relaxation, breathing, touch, movement, and other methods that can help you as you birth your baby.
Pain Medication
Pain medications are available during labor as well. These are safe but sometimes can impact the early breastfeeding experience because they can affect you or your baby. It will be important for you to know as much as you can about pain relief methods so that you can make an informed choice that is best for you. Make sure you discuss all of the options with your physician, midwife, and childbirth educator.
Nitrous Oxide
Hunterdon Medical Center is now offering nitrous oxide as a pain relief option to laboring mothers. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a colorless and tasteless mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen, which is safe for mother and baby.
Nitrous Oxide is a gas that is inhaled through a self-administered mask and delivered through an on-demand flow delivery system. With clinical supervision by a nurse, the patient is in charge of administering her own N2O to help manage her personal pain and anxiety. The gas is inhaled with each breath for approximately 30 seconds before a contraction begins and through to the end of the contraction. This timing helps the gas to gain optimal effectiveness at about the same time a contraction reaches its peak. During the use of nitrous oxide, women remain awake and alert with complete motor and sensory function, allowing women who use nitrous oxide to be more mobile during labor.
Nitrous Oxide is a century-old form of pain relief that is safer than other medications such as narcotics and epidurals. It allows women to be in control and remain upright and mobile in between contractions. Minimal side effects reported by laboring women include nausea or dizziness, which can quickly dissipate after the patient stops breathing nitrous oxide and takes a few deep breaths of room air.