Support available in labour

Pain relief in labour
There are several ways in which we can help to relieve your pain and discomfort during labour, including relaxing in water, walking, specialist equipment, gas and air, and medication.

It is important to note that everybody is different, and one method of pain relief may work well for one person, and not for others.

You will be given an information leaflet that details all pain relief methods and will be discussed with your midwife, doctor or anaesthetist.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS is a safe method to relieve pain by attaching four specialist pads to your back that are attached by wires to a small battery-operated control box, to release continuous electrical impulses. This helps to minimise the pain signals to your brain and stimulates your body to produce endorphins.

The facts about TENS

  • There is no evidence of risk to the women, birthing person, or baby

  • TENS is most useful in early labour and allows you move around freely

  • TENS is less effective during active labour

  • You can control the rate and strength of the electrical impulses

  • TENS can be used in combination with other methods of pain relief but is unable to be used in water

You can read more about TENS and how it works via this link >

Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat a variety of medical conditions and is often used during labour.

The facts about hydrotherapy

  • It can be used in early labour at home, in a warm bath or shower

  • It can be very relaxing and support mobility

  • We have birthing pools for women who wish to continue their labour and/or give birth in water - the water is kept at a comfortable temperature just below 37.5°C

You can read more about hydrotherapy via this link >

Paracetamol and co-codamol
Paracetamol is used to relieve mild to moderate pain and helps to lower a raised temperature or fever.

Paracetamol is safe to use in early labour and during postnatal care. It is a common method of pain relief and is available from all pharmacies, in tablets, capsules and liquid form, without the need for a prescription.

Co-codamol contains two painkilling ingredients, paracetamol and codeine. It is usually taken in tablet form to relieve short-term pain where paracetamol alone is not sufficient.

Co-codamol is safe to use in early labour and during postnatal care and is available from pharmacies without the need for a prescription.

You can read more about paracetamol and co-codamol via this link >

Entonox
Entonox, also referred to as gas and air, provides pain relief when inhaled and is often used by women to ease their pain in labour.

The combination of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen is breathed in through a mouthpiece during contractions in established labour to relieve pain.

The facts about Entonox

  • There is no evidence of risk to the woman, birthing person or baby

  • It can be used in combination with any other method of pain relief

  • The effects are rapid and wear off quickly

  • You can control how much you want to use and when

  • It can be used as a pain relief method for home births

  • It can make some women feel light-headed and sick

  • Prolonged use can make you tired and thirsty – continue to drink plenty of fluid

Diamorphine
Diamorphine is a pain-relieving drug that is administered by injection into the thigh or buttock area.

It takes about 20 minutes to come into effect, and can last between two and four hours.

The facts about diamorphine

  • It can make you feel nauseous - a further drug is then given to combat sickness and vomiting

  • You cannot use a deep bath or birthing pool after taking diamorphine until the effects have worn off

  • Diamorphine crosses the placental barrier in labour, meaning it can remain in the baby's system for up to 72 hours after birth; this is not dangerous to the baby, however it may interfere with the first feed

Epidural
An epidural is a type of local anaesthetic which numbs the nerves that carry the pain impulses from the birth canal to the brain.

An epidural gives complete pain relief for the majority of women and birthing people and it can be especially helpful for women who are having a particularly long or painful labour, or who are becoming distressed.

During the procedure, you will have an intravenous drip put into your arm, followed by a small plastic tube threaded through a needle into your back. Once the tube is in place, the needle is removed and you can move around freely.

You can trigger a pump to deliver a top up of the epidural if the pain level increases. Throughout the process, a midwife will monitor your baby's heartbeat and your blood pressure.

The facts about epidurals

  • It does not make you feel drowsy or sick and you may still have some feeling in your legs
  • It can be topped up to give complete pain relief
  • Not everyone can have an epidural - you should discuss this with your midwife and anaesthetist
  • You may feel shivery for a time but this stops quickly
  • There is a 1 in 100 chance of experiencing a severe headache, which can be treated
  • It may cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure and your baby's heart rate – extra fluids will be given through your drip to correct this
  • You may need to have the epidural adjusted or re-sited if you still experience contractions
  • You may be unable to pass urine and need to use a catheter for a minimum of six hours following the birth of your baby
  • Serious epidural related problems are extremely rare and areas of numbness, pins and needles, or weakness are usually a result of the childbirth itself, not the epidural 

You can read more about epidurals via this link >

Inpatient comment:

Everyone offered words of such reassurance and kindness. I felt so cared for and the communication with me at all times was fantastic.