How to relieve pain during contractions. Pain relief during childbirth. Massage of the iliac bones during contractions

Each period of labor has its own types of breathing, but the basis for all is the same: abdominal breathing. In order to train it, put your hands on your stomach and try to breathe so that your chest remains motionless, and your arms (and stomach) rise and fall. And remember, during childbirth, all inhalations should be through the nose, and exhalations through the mouth, while the lips should be folded into a tube (this increases the resistance to the blown out air, and, therefore, stretches the exhalation).

So, the long-awaited contractions began, at first they were weak, not yet painful, but already unpleasant. At this time, Breathing is usually not required yet, but when the strength of the contraction increases and the first painful sensations appear, this is where the first type of breathing will help - delayed. Usually a person makes up to 17 breaths per minute and always inhale is shorter than exhale. To anesthetize contractions of medium strength, you need to breathe deeply and slowly. To begin with, a slow and deep breath for 3 seconds - exhale for 7 seconds. (It is better to train with a watch with a second hand in front of the gases). Thus, you get 6 breaths per minute. The stronger the contractions, the slower you need to breathe: inhale for 5 seconds - exhale for 10 (4 breaths per minute are obtained). And then even less often: inhale for 6 seconds - exhale for 12 (it turns out about 3 respiratory movements per minute). However, the latter option requires some training.

When the contractions become strong and painful, slow breathing no longer helps. It is replaced by the following type of breathing - wave breathing. The fight goes in waves, at first it grows, then it lasts for a while, then the strength of the fight decreases. Breathing should repeat this wave: at first, breathing is slow and deep, then the strength of the contraction increases, and breathing becomes frequent and shallow (the so-called doggy breath), then the contraction subsides, and the breathing gradually turns back into slow and deep. In between contractions, you need to relax, but if the breaks become short, and the contractions are strong and painful, between contractions you need to breathe with a slow type of breathing (so as not to “miss” the beginning of the next contraction), for example, inhale for 3, exhale for 7 seconds.

Dog breathing can be replaced with other types if desired. First - candle breathing(slow deep breath in through the nose and sharp exhalation through the mouth). More can be done respite(inhale - exhale as if breathing with a "dog" - blowing out - a little stretched, but quick exhalation). You can also " build pyramids"(inhale - exhale - blow out, then 2 "inhale - exhale" - blow out, 3 "inhale - exhale" - blow out and vice versa). It also takes the pain away. Do not forget to breathe with your stomach, as well as that you need to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth (the exception is dog breathing - here you can breathe either only through your mouth, or only through your nose).

This breath dries out the nose and mouth. You can rinse your mouth with water, and either lubricate your nose with vaseline oil, or you can use the Aquamaris spray (both must be prepared in advance and taken with you to the roadblock).

Note! If, after the end of the fight, the head is very dizzy (“breathed” - there is an excess of oxygen in the blood), then it is necessary to create a slight hypoxia - close the nose with a hand or a blanket and breathe for a few seconds.

It is also important to move more during contractions. When the muscles work, they require more oxygen, which means that the blood flow rate increases (and the heartbeat becomes faster), and, consequently, the blood flow increases everywhere, including in the placenta.

If you really want to scream, do not waste precious energy on it. In this case it's better sing. It is better to sing vowel sounds: “A”, “O”, “U”, etc. Take a deep slow breath in through the nose and on the exhale draw a vowel sound. You can also buzz (pull the sound "Zh"), mumble (sound "M") or itch (sound "Z").

At some point, an attempt joins the contractions. You can’t push right away - you need to call a doctor, he will evaluate the opening of the cervix and either allow you to push, or you will have to “breathe” for a few attempts. You will also have to “breathe” the moment the face is born (at this moment the midwife will say that you can’t push). For removal of attempts can be used doggy breath or sobbing(deep breath, then many small exhalations, or vice versa, many small breaths, then a smooth exhalation).

And so the doctor allowed me to push, and the most crucial period of childbirth comes - attempts. During this period, the main thing is to fully obey the midwife. But even here it is necessary to breathe properly. Breathing in a rush: a deep breath through the mouth, holding the breath (at this time, you need to look at the navel and push on the perineum (as with constipation)). SLOW exhale. The most important thing here is not to exhale sharply and not to scream. Otherwise, all the force of the attempt will go into a cry, and the attempt will be ineffective. If everything is done correctly, then for one attempt you need to push 3 times.

All these types of breathing are best practiced every day. If you devote at least 15 minutes a day to breathing training, then, firstly, it will be familiar to the body and will be remembered by itself during childbirth, and, secondly, this is training the baby. It is important for the baby that the mother trains to hold her breath during pregnancy. This will help the baby in childbirth better adapt to hypoxia.

Another component of pain is the fear of it. If you wait for the pain, it will seem very strong. You can't set yourself up for pain. When you know that the pain can be reduced, the fear also decreases. Future mothers, remember that the baby is also scared during childbirth, he does not know what will happen next. Do not forget to talk to him in childbirth, let him hear your voice - he will be calmer, because now you are the whole universe for him ... Health to you and your babies. Peaceful pregnancy and easy childbirth.
py. sy.)) that's how it is written, so I breathed. really good ... and I managed to talk on the phone))) so don't waste time screaming, it's better to breathe carefully. don't rush lol. and everything will be for-me-cha-tel-but)) if you have any questions, ask))))))))

The birth of a child is one of the most pleasant and at the same time difficult events in a woman's life. Expectant mothers are not able to cope with the fear of pain on their own. Despite the fact that nature has laid down a certain mechanism of reactions in the body to reduce sensitivity, the genetic memory of "birth in agony" takes over. To help, special techniques have been developed and applied to anesthetize contractions and make them less painful. There are also medical methods that minimize the suffering of the woman in labor.

Physiology of pain

Contractions are part of natural childbirth. Their occurrence means the beginning of the opening of the cervix and the movement of the child to the exit from the female womb, but not the expulsion itself. By definition, pain means some kind of defensive reaction, a signal from the body to the brain about problems. But in the case of childbirth, it has differences.

Why pain occurs during contractions:

at the end of pregnancy, the uterus becomes a huge muscular organ of the body, its compression, accordingly, is felt most intensely;
contraction means involuntary compression and displacement of the longitudinal and transverse fibers of the muscles;
during contraction, compression of the nerve endings and tension, tension of the ligaments in the uterus occur;
with an increase in the intensity of contractions and a decrease in the interval between them, the woman's body gets tired and does not have time to switch, there is a feeling of excruciating pain.

Before attempts, the nature of sensations changes. To the general pain during contraction, strong pressure on the perineum is added. This is a reaction to the insertion of the presenting part of the child into the pelvic inlet. Increasing discomfort in the sacrum. Before the very expulsion of the fetus, the peak of sensations falls locally on the vagina, rectum and perineum.

What causes pain during contractions:

psychological state - fear, stress contributes to the release of adrenaline, which exacerbates sensations;
the duration of labor - an exhausted body is not able to adequately respond to events, so the pain intensifies;
the presence of complications - a large fetus, breech presentation, other pathological conditions of the woman in labor affect the nature of the pain.

Modern research shows that the more actively a woman mentally tries to intervene in the process, the more difficult it is for her to cope with pain during contractions. All mammals, which include humans, are born in a similar way. But the difference in the perception of a natural process and something terrible directly affects the sensation as a whole.

Anesthesia methods

The environment in which the woman lives helps to endure contractions before childbirth correctly. Calmness, friendliness and confidence of the staff, a sense of security set the pregnant woman in the right mood. It is easier for her in this state to accept what is happening, manage her emotions and control sensations.

There are two main methods that are used to anesthetize contractions during childbirth: medicinal and non-medical. In the first case, drugs with different active substances are used. This group includes antispasmodics, analgesics, and drugs with narcotic and sedative effects.

In most cases, drugs are effective when it comes to real anesthetics used in modern obstetrics. But they are not suitable for independent use and have a number of contraindications. The main disadvantage of painkillers during contractions is the penetration of the active substance to one degree or another into the mother's blood and through the placenta to the child.

A non-drug or independent method that helps to survive contractions during childbirth refers to the professional psychological preparation of pregnant women. It includes special types of massage, the use of water, special breathing, postures, relaxation, aromatherapy and more.

Do contractions in the hospital give pain relief? Yes, but not always. It all depends on the specific case and indications. You can count on the help of medical staff, subject to a preliminary agreement on the delivery under epidural anesthesia.

Self-pain relief

The main component of the success of using any independent methods that suppress pain is the development of techniques during pregnancy. Practical self-help skills can be obtained at special courses for future parents.

How to relieve pain during childbirth on your own:

master self-massage, memorize relaxation points on the body;
stand in a comfortable position or move, do not sit still;
if there is no strength or desire to walk around the room, it is better to jump or sway on the fitball;
learn to breathe correctly during contractions and attempts, at the peak of pain;
if the equipment of the clinic allows you to use water procedures.

The combination of several methods gives the maximum effect. By massaging the sacrum, you can breathe correctly in parallel. Experienced women still manage to sway on a fitball or walk.

Massage. We are talking about stimulating local areas on both sides of the spine in the sacrum. In order to block pain impulses in this way, it is necessary to press not weakly. Moms who have tried pressing dots to ease contractions during childbirth note that the position during manipulation did not really matter. Some massaged their backs while standing or leaning slightly forward, others sitting on a fitball, and others were helped by their husbands.

Breath. To anesthetize contractions during childbirth, breathing is used. It is also a way to relieve discomfort, relax muscles and saturate tissues with oxygen. Controlling the actions taken helps the woman in labor and distract from thoughts about the painful contraction of the uterus.

How to breathe contractions:

while the pain can be endured, it is important to breathe deeply, economically - inhale through the nose and exhale long through the mouth;
as the intensity of sensations increases, there is a desire to shrink into a ball, tighten up - you can’t do this, you need to try with all your might to relax your muscles, you can stroke your stomach from top to bottom;
it will no longer be possible to breathe in this period measuredly, so you should move on to the “dog-like” method - often, quickly, intermittently;
with the onset of attempts, attention switches to the obstetrician - she tells you when you need to breathe through the contraction, and when to take in air and push the exhalation “down”.

For greater comfort, it is recommended that the woman in labor take off excess or restrictive clothing, and ventilate the room as often as possible. It is good if there is a humidifier in the room. Useful for woman skill unwind and relax. No less important are attempts to rest in between contractions: close your eyes, plunge into half-asleep.

Medical methods

It is almost impossible to completely anesthetize labor pains. Even the most potent drugs suppress the feeling of incompleteness. But this is not required, to control the course of labor activity, it is important not to “turn off” the pain, but to make it less pronounced.

There are three main ways to anesthetize contractions in the hospital:

intramuscular injection - a woman, more often in the thigh, is injected with antispasmodics, analgesics, opiates, sedatives or a special mixture of them;
epidural anesthesia - an anesthetic is injected into the space near the spine, the woman in labor ceases to feel the body below the catheter;
laughing gas - nitrous oxide and oxygen is inhaled by the pregnant woman with each contraction, common in Europe and the USA.

For short-term and incomplete anesthesia of contractions, the so-called lytic mixture is most often injected intramuscularly. It consists of promazine hydrochloride, promedol, diphenhydramine and novocaine. The cocktail is injected if 2 or more hours are left before the alleged attempts, there are no contraindications from the woman and the child. It is also administered with severe anxiety of the woman in labor.

What painkillers can you drink during contractions:

antispasmodics: No-Shpa, Drotaverine;
antispasmodics + analgesics: Spazmalgon, Baralgin, Revalgin;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: Ketones, Emodol.

Any independent use of drugs should be under the supervision of doctors. But - Shpa during contractions will not give a result, even if the dosage is correctly selected. The wrong dose of other pills, untimely intake or the presence of contraindications can only harm. Labor activity will subside or become uncoordinated.

Does baralgin relieve pain during real contractions? Usually not, only the intensity of sensations decreases. Taking such drugs is considered one of the methods for testing training uterine contractions from real ones.

Trying to reduce pain during contractions or endure to the end - a woman must decide for herself. There are also situations when strong tension is contraindicated and the birth of a child occurs exclusively under anesthesia. Childbirth without pain should also not cause a false sense of guilt. This is fine.

Pain during childbirth can vary greatly in strength. Even in a single woman who has given birth several times, contractions can be from barely noticeable to barely tolerable. Therefore, very different methods of anesthesia for childbirth are used. What - we will tell.

What determines the pain of childbirth

No obstetrician can accurately predict how painful contractions will be. The conventional wisdom that pain becomes weaker with each new pregnancy is true, but not always. It depends on many factors:

individual characteristics of a woman in labor: her pain threshold, character traits, the quality of psychological preparation for the process of giving birth to a baby, the state of the muscles of the pelvic floor and soft tissues of the perineum;
the size and position of the fetus in the uterus;
the state of the cervix, the presence of dense cicatricial deformities in it;
activity of labor activity and the regularity of contractions.

But there is situations in which pain during childbirth occurs much more often. Here they are:

hormonal dysfunction before pregnancy, manifested by irregular painful menstruation;
the first birth or the interval between subsequent births is more than 5 years;
and induced labor when the cervix is not yet softened;
strong contractions under the influence of oxytocin (intravenously or in a lozenge) and vice versa - long-term labor;
a large fetus or a mother's pelvis that is narrow for the size of the child (anatomically or clinically narrow pelvis);
after the discharge of amniotic fluid.

In all these cases, the woman in labor herself or the doctors can significantly reduce the pain so that the memories of childbirth do not become the worst nightmare in a woman's life.

Psychological pain relief

Nature made sure that the birth process took place under the influence of “hormones of joy” - endorphins, the level of which rises rapidly with each new contraction. These substances reduce all uncomfortable manifestations, relieve tension and help to feel emotional uplift. A simple feeling of fear suppresses the formation of a natural hormone and thereby increases sensitivity to pain.

A very important moment in childbirth is the mood of a woman. Many pregnant women associate the word "delivery" with the words "in pain." Constant negative thoughts and "winding" yourself will lead to even more fear. Proper psychological preparation for childbirth is a guarantee that the birth of a child will take place in a more comfortable environment.

The most important thing is to be in a positive mood.. You need to change your attitude towards pain. Think about the fact that the increase in pain is not a test that cannot be avoided, but a “bell” that advises you to change your body position, relax your muscles, breathe properly. And the most important thought should be that you are waiting for the birth of a little person. Take a break from negative thoughts.

In Africa and Brazil in ancient times, when a woman went into labor, the man would go to bed, scream and complain. It was believed that this removed part of the psychological burden and distracted the woman in labor. If you think that this will help, ask your spouse to lament instead of you - this will be the “coolest” whim, which you will remember with laughter for a long time to come. So childbirth is fun!

Remember, all the emotions you experience are passed on to your child. Let him be born without fear.

Poses for pain relief

A position that alleviates discomfort, a woman must choose herself. A certain position during childbirth will relieve pain, help you relax.

If your doctor has given you permission to get up and move around, try different body positions - sitting, lying down, standing. During a contraction, the following postures can reduce pain:

Lean on the wall, back of a chair or bed with weight transfer to your hands.
Pose on all fours.
Sitting on a fitball or a children's inflatable circle.
Squat down with your knees out to the sides.
Lie on your side and bend your knees.

Massage during childbirth

Massage movements during childbirth can be performed by the woman in labor herself or by the husband in the case of partner childbirth. Options:

Massage the sacral area with the fingertips, fist or palm with an intensity that will bring relief to the woman.
"Iron" - massage of the inner surface of the thigh. Strongly pressing the palm to the thigh, movements from the knee to the groin and back, as if ironing yourself.
A distracting maneuver can be massaging or strong pressure on the iliac spines during a fight.

The massage technique and its intensity, which will help reduce discomfort, is individual for each pregnant woman. Don't be afraid to try it yourself or ask your birth partner to massage these areas. You can use neutral massage oil.

Breathing techniques to reduce pain

All breathing exercises that are used during childbirth are aimed at relaxing the muscles of the body.

The first breathing technique during childbirth involves rare breathing (up to 8 per minute). The respiratory rate is normally about 16 breaths per minute, while the pregnant woman, using this method, during a contraction, takes short breaths and long exhalations through almost closed lips.

The second method consists of several short exhalations. Imagine that you have a feather in front of you that you want to blow away. After a short breath, take a few short exhalations, as if blowing off a feather.

Count the inhales and exhales that you do: this will help you get distracted and not concentrate on the wedding. Read more about proper breathing during childbirth.

Childbirth and water

Warm water relaxes muscles and relieves pain. If possible, during the first stage of labor, you can take a bath or warm shower.

This method is appropriate only if there is a bath in the delivery room. It is not recommended to stay in the shower at home for a long time if you have already started contractions, and even more so practice at home. Such experiments without medical supervision can lead to disastrous results.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used to reduce labor pain levels, but the method is not common. There are not many experts in this area.

Medicinal methods

Medical anesthesia is used in the following cases:

Restless behavior of a woman due to severe pain during contractions.
premature birth.
Excessively strong generic activity.
Gestosis of the second half of pregnancy.
Somatic diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus).
obstetric operations.

This method has contraindications:

The presence of a scar on the uterus from operations that were performed earlier. This is due to the existing threat of uterine rupture: with the introduction of analgesics, the doctor will not be able to recognize the onset of the development of this formidable complication.
Onset of labor or opening of the uterine os up to 4 cm: due to the risk of stopping labor or causing weak contractions.
Allergy to drugs, especially those used to relieve pain.

Several groups of drugs are used to anaesthetize childbirth:

Antispasmodics (drotaverine, papaverine, baralgin).
Tranquilizers (diazepam, seduxen).
Narcotic analgesics (promedol).
Inhalation anesthesia (nitrogen-oxygen mixture).
local anesthetics.

Antispasmodics are medications that relieve the tone of all smooth muscles. These substances, in addition to reducing the level of pain, regulate the process of opening the cervix.

tranquilizers rarely used in obstetrics. During childbirth, they are used once, since there is a proven negative effect on the unborn child.

Promedol is a narcotic analgesic for labor pain relief, which is widely used in obstetrics. It relieves pain and muscle tension of the cervix. But there is evidence that this drug depresses the baby's breathing at birth.

The inhalation method of pain relief consists in inhaling a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide by the expectant mother. In some cases, even a simple oxygen mask brings relief.

Epidural anesthesia

It is the "gold standard" among the methods of labor pain relief. Providing good anesthesia leads to a negative point - the birth is a little delayed, and the woman cannot fully push in the second period, because she does not feel the onset of the contraction. This method also has its own, which you can discuss with your doctor even before the start of labor.

Remember, you are on the threshold of the birth of a new life. Therefore, do not wait for pain, wait for your child!

Every woman looks forward to the birth of her baby with great impatience, and the closer this day is, the more anxiety and fear of pain appear. In principle, childbirth is the most natural process that is laid down by nature. The body itself knows what needs to be done in this case, and the woman can only be patient in order to overcome the fear of a previously unknown process.

Most of all, women are afraid of contractions, because everyone knows the legends about piercing pains, from which women even lose consciousness. But most often, women lose consciousness not from the pains themselves, but from the fear that they experience. By the way, against the background of fear, the pain increases tenfold, because the tension intensifies, but women need to remember that panic in this case is not their helper. The best thing to do in such a situation is to just relax and then the pain will go away.

Can contractions be anesthetized?

Contractions are called contraction of the muscles of the uterine walls, as a result of which the cervix opens - and the child moves through the birth canal.

Prenatal contractions occur approximately every half an hour and last no more than 20 seconds. Then the interval is reduced, and the duration of contractions increases. During contractions, it is better to try to take the optimal position in which pain is felt the least. Such a position is sure to exist, and if you do not panic, then you can find it.

It is better if at this time there will be a beloved man nearby who can calm the woman in labor with his touches and strokes. You can even massage your lower back, neck, or back. In extreme cases, a man can simply hold the hand of his beloved, supporting her in this way. In addition, several simple tricks are offered that will help to anesthetize contractions during childbirth.

Pain relief massage for contractions

You can independently massage the protrusions of the ilium both on the left and on the right.
During active contractions, you can stroke the tummy with your fingertips. It is important to watch your breath here.
The hands are clenched into fists and the lumbosacral region is pressed with them.

These simple actions will help reduce pain during contractions. It is important to control your breathing. It should be deep and rhythmic. Between contractions, you need to relax as much as possible and rest in order to gather strength.

No less important for a woman in labor and mood. If she panics, worries, is afraid and rushes about, then this will most likely harm her. It is better to change your position and enjoy the next fight, because it brings the moment when the baby will appear. That is why it is necessary to meet each new fight with joy.

Between contractions, it is better to imagine something pleasant and calming, while thinking through that everything is in accordance with nature. You can listen to your favorite music, classical is better, it relaxes well.

Pain during labor is completely natural. Proper breathing, comfortable posture, massage will help to cope with them. Sometimes doctors resort to medication or blockade.

From generation to generation, mothers and grandmothers tell their daughters that giving birth is painful. Yes, the process itself is unpleasant and painful, but modern medicine and folk methods can significantly alleviate the condition. The female body is very strong and can withstand the tests that nature sends to it. To be prepared for all this, it is important to know how to ease the pain of contractions. There are special controls, breathing techniques, medical support and much more.

How to ease the pain of contractions

What kind of pain during contractions is observed in a woman, determine her individual characteristics and the value of the pain threshold. In addition, the size and location of the fetus in the womb, as well as the number of births transferred earlier, if any, are of great importance.

There are several techniques for suppressing pain. These can be medications or conservative methods. For special exercises and other methods, little preparation is needed. Unlike drugs, massage and proper breathing will not harm the baby, but for this you can try. But under some circumstances, these gentle methods may not be enough.

What methods to resort to, you need to decide even during pregnancy, then the birth will be easier, and the expectant mother will not worry about this. After all, some of the sensations that she experiences during labor are directly related to her emotional state.

What to do to relieve labor pain

Not always drugs are the only way to suppress the discomfort and pain during labor and delivery. For a future mother, the main thing is a positive attitude. A woman should remember that everyone has gone through this and there is nothing as terrible as it seems. Passing such a difficult test, she gives a new life, and very soon she will hold her baby in her arms.

Simple rules and techniques will also help relieve pain:

massage or self-massage;
toilet room every hour;
cold compress on the neck or face;

Massage or self-massage will not only help you relax, but also relieve stress and tension. Doctors recommend that a woman in labor go to the toilet every hour for a reason: a full bladder puts pressure on the internal organs and makes contractions even more painful.

A cold compress on the neck or face activates the receptors and relieves discomfort. But you can also relieve muscle tension with the help of a shower. Water relaxes and calms. If the doctor does not prohibit, you can drink water, and also eat nutritious snacks: they will help replenish the energy that a woman loses several times faster during childbirth.

In addition, the support of loved ones is of great importance. Recently, partnerships have become popular. Opinions about their expediency differ, but one thing is for sure: if a mother or a beloved man is next to a woman in labor, it will be much easier for her to cope with stress and pain.

During contractions, discomfort occurs throughout the body due to muscle strain, but the lower back, as well as the lower back, suffers the most. In this case, massage helps a lot. Pressure on the sacrum relieves spasm and relieves the condition.

It is equally important to breathe correctly. This is taught even before childbirth in classes for expectant mothers, so you should not skip them. They also tell you what the pain is like. Breathing should be slower than usual, calm, and at the peak of the contraction - intermittent and frequent.

The movement and position of the body will help not only to suppress pain, but also speed up the process of delivery. It is necessary to help change the position of the woman to the most convenient for her.

Proper body position can speed up the process of opening the cervix and relax a tense body.

When moving or walking, the baby's head puts more pressure on the neck and causes it to open more rapidly. When contractions become more frequent, it is better to take a vertical position: this will give the woman a break and gain strength.

Among the poses that facilitate labor activity, there are the following:

position on all fours;
leaning on the back of the bed with the support of another person;
kneeling position with support on a chair or bed;
sitting on a special ball for a pregnant woman.

It is important for a woman to take exactly the position in which she will not be hurt and comfortable. It may be necessary to change positions several times, so the help of the medical staff or loved ones is simply necessary for her. It will be easier for those who have not given birth for the first time: they already know all the sensations and know in advance a comfortable position that will help to cope with colic.

Medical pain relief during contractions

Among medicines, it is worth highlighting drugs that suppress pain, as well as those that help to calm down and relieve psychological stress.

Tranquilizers and barbiturates

They do not relieve pain during contractions, but they help to cope with tension and suppress anxiety. For many women, this is enough, because part of their discomfort is intensified due to panic and fear.

However, such drugs can adversely affect labor activity. A woman can lose control over what is happening, and a baby can lose activity during the birth period.

Painkillers or sleeping pills

They are used with increased sensations, when a woman is not able to endure and cramping pain in the abdomen leads to loss of consciousness. But you need to take them in advance, and not wait until it becomes unbearably painful. It is best to administer the drug when preparatory contractions begin.

Such medicines are safe for the child and mother, they anesthetize contractions, and also relax the abdominal muscles, but do not weaken labor activity.

The only drawback is the risk of respiratory depression in a woman in labor or a child with large doses of drugs, as well as excessive weakness, drowsiness of a woman.

epidural complex

The most common method. Several types of anesthesia are considered:

epidural block;
spinal blockade;
spinal epidural combination.

Epidural or epidural anesthesia involves the introduction of the drug into the cavity between the dura mater and the walls of the spinal canal. With spinal blockade, the analgesic effect occurs due to the effect on the roots of the spinal cord. The drug is then injected into the cavity between the soft and arachnoid membranes.

To speed up the process of pain relief, as well as for stronger anesthesia, the techniques are combined and more often a combination of spinal and epidural blockade is used.

The advantage of this method is the speed of pain relief: the pain disappears within a few minutes after the administration of the drug. The woman retains the mobility that is necessary for a successful natural birth, and then the contractions pass without pain. It is worth noting that a small part of the medicinal substances gets into the child, but they cannot harm him. Among the disadvantages of such anesthesia, the following points should be highlighted:

lowering blood pressure;
nausea or vomiting (very rare);
headache;
Decreased heart rate in a child.

During anesthesia, the catheter through which the medicine is delivered remains in place, and the anesthetist can add the necessary amount of pain medication, if necessary, while monitoring the condition of the woman in labor.

Be that as it may, the question of how to reduce the pain during contractions must be decided with the doctor on an individual basis, and it is better to do this before childbirth.