Painless Delivery: Good Or Bad?

The ability of giving birth is great indeed, but the prospect of delivery might give some women anxiety because of the anticipated pain and discomfort.

There are different types of delivery methods and the type of delivery depends on the medical condition of the expecting woman. Although under normal circumstances, the mother might get the choice to select from, it all depends on your gynaecologist.

He/ she will check your health condition when the labour pain begins and take the decision accordingly. Even if the mum doesn’t need a C-section, the gynaecologist will ask the woman about the types of natural delivery she would like to opt for.

Epidural anaesthesia helps to ease labour pains during the process of normal delivery and is a popular technique that is adopted by many women with a low pain threshold. It is not only cost effective but also provides the necessary relief from the unbearable pain experienced during childbirth. Here’s everything you need to know about painless delivery.

What Is Painless Delivery?

In a painless delivery, once active labour begins, an epidural is given to make the delivery almost painless. However, epidural has certain side effects.

It often results in forceps or vacuum delivery that can pose risk of injury to the mum and the baby. 

How Is Epidural Anaesthesia Administered?

The painless delivery procedure involves the administration of anaesthesia. During an epidural anaeasthesia, an injection is administered in the lower back through which a fine tube-like needle is passed.

Pain relieving medicines are then passed through this tube that cause numbing of the nerves and pain sensations. These medicines are completely safe for the baby. With this procedure, the mother can feel the contractions without any cramp or colicky pains.

The anesthesiologist and the nurse ensure that the epidural injection has been received well by the mother without any complications before proceeding with the painless delivery.

The Advantages of Epidural

Epidural is one of the most effective methods of pain relief during delivery and has minimal side effects on both the mum and baby. Here are some other advantages of epidural:

• Painless delivery allows women to experience natural childbirth with very little intervention.

• By alleviating pain, it allows the mum to focus on the delivery. It acts as an aid for relaxation and prevents exhaustion and irritation experienced by most women during childbirth. This in turn reduces the risk of developing postpartum complications.

• Epidural helps the baby descend easily by relaxing the pelvic and vaginal muscles.

• It also helps in lowering the blood pressure of the mum which otherwise can rise to dangerous levels during labour.

The Risks Or Side Effects of Epidural

Painless delivery side effects are considered rare but that doesn’t mean some women don’t experience them at all. Some of the risk factors (of an epidural) to watch out for include:

• Soreness and back pain

• Headaches and fever

• Nausea and dizziness

• Persistent bleeding from the puncture site

• Difficulties in breathing

In addition to these, if the mother’s blood pressure goes down, it might lower the heart rate of the baby as well. In extreme cases, an emergency C-section can also be performed.

Exercising regularly throughout your pregnancy after consulting the doctor is one of the normal painless delivery tips.

The fact that mothers can’t feel all of the elements of delivery with an epidural can also lead to a plethora of problems, such as increased risk of tearing during vaginal delivery.

Conclusion

There are other techniques for natural delivery too. For example, the use of Entonox – a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a breathing mask, and water birth. 

Studies show that painless delivery using an epidural has helped many women experience a positive natural birth. It is advisable to discuss the process with your gynaecologist and then opt for it.

According to the Office on Women’s Health, before recommending a birthing process and some tips for easy delivery, the gynaecologist considers a host of issues. Some of these include overall health and emotional well-being of the mum, the size of her pelvis, her pain tolerance level, the intensity level of contractions and the size or position of the baby.

FAQs

Which delivery is best?

Till date, vaginal delivery has been the best and the safest way of giving birth as it is the natural way of giving birth and requires no medication for pain or to start or speed up labour.

Can natural births be painless?

Yes, natural birth can be painless with the help of an epidural. Epidural injections relaxes the vaginal muscles, making space for the baby to descend.

Which type of delivery is less painful?

A water birth is thought to be less painful and more relaxed for many mums. It allows the woman to move into a variety of positions that are less painful.

The partner can also get into the tub with the mum to support the delivery.

How can I make delivery easier and painless?

For making your delivery easier, it is advisable to exercise regularly after consulting your doctor.

Yoga and meditation also helps to calm and soothe your mind and thus help you to focus more on your delivery.