{"id":17197,"date":"2023-03-09T10:54:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T16:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=17197"},"modified":"2024-03-15T09:10:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T14:10:23","slug":"useful-tips-for-managing-labor-pains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/useful-tips-for-managing-labor-pains\/","title":{"rendered":"Useful tips for managing labor pains"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are options for moms-to-be to manage labor pains. Whether you want an all-natural childbirth or you want medication, moms can choose what works best for them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Giving birth is one of God\u2019s greatest miracles. It is a life-changing and life-affirming event. But there\u2019s no sugarcoating it \u2013 labor is painful.<\/p>\n

\u201cLabor hurts,\u201d said Robyn Lindenmeyer, director of Women\u2019s and Children\u2019s Health for OSF HealthCare. \u201cI\u2019m not going to lie to you and tell you that labor doesn\u2019t hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, how much do labor pains hurt? And is there anything you can do to relieve the pain?<\/p>\n

The answers to those questions depend on the mom, her preferences and her goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some people that go through labor and you would never even know that they’re having any labor pain,\u201d Robyn said. \u201cBut then there are others who don’t tolerate it very well. So a lot of it has to do with pain tolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is an epidural?<\/h2>\n

\"Pros<\/a>An epidural is a common form of pain relief used for women in labor. Robyn estimated that about 80% of women in her area opt for an epidural.<\/p>\n

So how does an epidural work? Epidural injections are given by anesthesiologists. They basically use a little needle to thread a thin tube, or catheter, into your spine. As soon as the catheter is in, the needle comes back out and medication is pumped in continuously to block the nerves and reduce feeling from your belly button to the upper part of the legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to get it to the point where it is taking away the pain, but we still would like for you to be able to feel some of that pressure,\u201d Robyn said. \u201cWhen it comes time to push and deliver the baby, you can still feel a little bit of that sensation, and it helps you to be a more effective pusher.\u201d<\/p>\n

An epidural can be given at just about any point during labor, Robyn said. It\u2019s not too late to get one until the baby\u2019s out, she added.<\/p>\n

An epidural does not prolong labor, according to recent research.<\/p>\n

The epidural stays in place until you deliver your baby. Once you’ve delivered, the medication is stopped and the catheter is removed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe effects of the medication can last for an hour or two after delivery. But usually once we shut it off, within about the first hour, you start to be able to move your legs a little bit more. You start to feel some of that sensation come back. Usually within a couple of hours, you’re able to then stand and put pressure on your legs and go to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Epidural complications are uncommon, but there is a low risk for them.<\/p>\n

Pros and cons of an epidural<\/h2>\n

Pros:<\/p>\n