| Mothers report that few things are as painful, or as | | | | require minimal liquid intake beforehand. Anesthesia |
| rewarding, as giving birth. The pain/reward of giving | | | | can produce nausea and vomiting. Disgorging under |
| birth varies from person to person, but in most cases | | | | anesthetic is potentially dangerous, since it can lead |
| expectant women, especially when giving birth the | | | | to choking. |
| first time, may want less pain in order to better | | | | Some hospitals will use tubs of water or even |
| enjoy the reward. | | | | showers to maximize physical and mental comfort |
| Research has shown that the less medication taken | | | | during labor. A good soak can ease back tension and |
| or anesthesia given during birth, the better. Both for | | | | aid a sense of well being. Techniques like these don't |
| mother and child low doses of anesthesia will reduce | | | | require any training or practice, just the ability to |
| any problems that may occur during childbirth. As | | | | remember to use them when needed. A partner can |
| always anything entering a woman's bloodstream will | | | | help here, too. |
| affect the child during delivery. To reduce the use of | | | | A general pain medication can range from |
| drugs certain breathing techniques could be used to | | | | over-the-counter remedies to mild narcotics. It's |
| help to minimize the need. | | | | important to be able to focus and participate during |
| Preparation with your partner well before the onset | | | | the process, so doctors keep the dosage to a |
| of labor is the first step. Lamaze or Bradley training is | | | | minimum whenever possible. Stronger narcotics to |
| helpful, in order to learn good breathing and relaxation | | | | ease pain can be used if necessary. |
| techniques. It is important to start this training early in | | | | Local anesthetic is no longer an automatic choice. |
| the pregnancy. It's difficult to focus on the process | | | | Studies revolving around the neurological effects on |
| rather than the pain when you're in the moment, but | | | | the baby have made doctors and mothers very |
| with continuous repetition training Lamaze can get | | | | conservative. But the types and dosages used very |
| her part way there. | | | | rarely present a problem. There's no such thing as |
| Some training involves learning focusing techniques. | | | | zero risk, but the odds are so low that this is a valid |
| Focus techniques involve zeroing in on the need to | | | | option. |
| push or the progress, rather than the discomfort. | | | | A regional block, epidural or spinal, refers not to |
| Others techniques may emphasize distraction - | | | | specific medication but simply the way it's |
| counting, remembering a specific event clearly and so | | | | administered. The drug is injected into a space at the |
| on. Those who have practiced yoga may find many | | | | base of the spinal column. The purpose is the same: |
| of the ideas familiar. Several weeks practice before | | | | to numb pain in the vaginal and back areas where the |
| labor begins is a minimum, but there should be no | | | | pain is most intense. Here again, doctors are cautious |
| substantial gap in time. Train up to the day. | | | | but the option is still used safely in thousands of |
| Physical comfort can be enhanced by a variety of | | | | cases every year. |
| methods. Hot or cold packs can ease cramping. | | | | Explore your options well in advance so that on that |
| Sipping warm tea or ice water is sometimes helpful. | | | | golden day you can put your mind where it needs to |
| That will need to be kept to a minimum, though. If | | | | be: delivering a healthy baby. |
| general anesthesia has to be given, doctors will | | | | |