Medical forms of pain management
The type of pain management required for labour and delivery will be different
for each woman. If you need additional help to manage the pain, other than the
complementary methods described above, there are a number of methods available
to you, including:
• Nitrous oxide and oxygen
• Pethidine or Morphine
• Epidural and spinal anaesthetic
Nitrous oxide and oxygen
The gas given to women in labour is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen,
sometimes known as ‘laughing gas’. It helps lessen the pain during a contraction.
It is inhaled during a contraction through a mask or mouthpiece. You may
experience nausea, light headedness and a dry mouth for a short time. There is
no after effects to you or your baby.
Pethidine or Morphine
This is a strong pain killer given by injection. It helps reduce the severity of the pain,
but does not take away the pain completely. It can take up to 30 minutes to work
effectively. It can make you and your baby sleepy. Sometimes pethidine or morphine
may contribute to breathing problems in your baby if given within two hours of birth
and may delay the initiation of breast feeding.
Epidural anaesthetic
An epidural involves the injection of anaesthetic drugs at the lumbar level into the
epidural space which surrounds the spinal cord and the traversing spinal nerves.
A fine catheter is left in your back to continually administer anaesthetic drugs
throughout your labour. The drugs are taken up by the spinal nerves affecting the
passage of most sensations, including the blocking of pain. The area from the level of
umbilicus to the top of the thighs and lower legs will become quite numb. It may be
used in labour to relieve pain. An epidural may also be used after a caesarean section
for post-operative analgesia with an infusion of opioids. Epidural drugs will cross the
placenta and may have some affect on the baby at birth and during breastfeeding.
All epidurals are performed by specialist anaesthetists who
• Are accredited at Mitcham Private Hospital
• Are members of the Division of Anaesthesia; and
• Hold a Fellowship awarded by the Australian and New Zealand College
of Anaesthetists FANZCA or Equivalent College.
Other complementary
forms of pain
management
If you wish to use aromatherapy,
homeopathy, hypnotherapy,
visualisation or acupuncture
methods, please discuss
these with your obstetrician
and seek advice from a qualified
practitioner.
Your body will
produce endorphins
(nature’s pain relief)
to help you cope
with the pain
of labour.
Mitcham Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education 19