Part 2 of 2 where we break down pain management option in labor. Here we are talking about the pros and cons to using non-medicated options for pain

Before you have a baby, you’ll hear a lot about your pain management options. It’s hard to know, before you actually go into labor, how your pain will be, or what will work best for you. We think the best way to handle it is to know your options, including the pros and cons. Then, when you’re ready, you can figure out what makes the most sense for you. 

Please remember that a successful birth is one that minimizes trauma to you and your baby. There is no shame in making the decisions that work best for you.

There are two kinds of pain management in labor: non-medical and medical. Non-medical options include acupressure, massages, mindfulness, laboring in a tub or shower, and double hip squeezes. Medical options are discussed in Part 1 of this post.

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Acupressure - Based on traditional Chinese medicine, this method of pain relief involves pressing on specific acupoints on the body.

Pros: This non-invasive treatment has been shown to reduce labor pain and anxiety. Risks are very low to mother and baby, if done properly.

Cons: Like all pain relief methods, it is hard to know what will work best for you until you are in the moment. Practicing ahead of time and seeing how it feels may help. Just make sure to avoid the pressure points that can induce labor until you’re ready!

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Massages - Similar to acupressure, massage involves touching the body in strategic places to increase calm and soothe pain. 

Pros: Massages are a welcome and relaxing experience for many people. Some have found that massaging can greatly soothe their pain in labor. Risks are extremely low, and there is no negative impact on the baby.

Cons: Some people, even those who have enjoyed massages before, experience a desire not to be touched during labor, which makes massage unhelpful. 

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Mindfulness - The practice of mindfulness focuses on staying present in the moment without reference to the future or past. Similar to meditation, it is about getting into a specific frame of mind that reduces anxiety and increases calm.

Pros: You can practice mindfulness at any time, so you can work on getting used to it before labor. Mindfulness requires no outside help; it is something you can do all on your own. There are no risks to the baby or mother.

Cons: It can be difficult to focus on the here and now when in a hospital setting. Interruptions, medical personnel coming and going, and other disruptions can make it difficult to practice mindfulness in a labor setting.

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Laboring in water - Many mothers take comfort in water. Laboring in a bath or under a stream of water can be extremely comforting. 

Pros: More and more hospitals are offering these options. Warm water is non-invasive to mother and baby.

Cons: Not all hospitals (or hospital rooms) have these options available. Unlike the other non-medical options here, once you have medical interventions (like an epidural), you will likely not be permitted to labor in water.

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Double hip squeezes - The partner is positioned behind the laboring mother and places their hands on the curve of the hip, squeezing inward. You can see some images of the practice here.

Pros: As with some of the other non-medical interventions, double hip squeezes emphasize the connection between laboring parent and partner. This practice also encourages the mother to try multiple laboring positions, which can help them to find comfort.

Cons: Similar to the other non-medical practices, this one requires that the mother-to-be wants to be touched, that she can (and is willing to) move around, and that no medical interventions have yet been taken. It also requires a laboring partner, which not all mothers will have.

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When thinking about what you want to do for pain relief, remember that you don’t have to make a single choice. Especially for non-medical options, you can try any and all until you find something that works well for you. And you are allowed to change your mind! The most important thing is a healthy mama and a healthy baby. Everything else is flexible.