Labor pain usually comes on gradually and builds up as you progress through the stages of labor. Here's what you can expect. A combination of genetics and life experiences determines your pain threshold, or ability to withstand pain, and this also plays a part in your experience.
Social support or lack of it , fear, anxiety and even the positive or negative labor stories you've heard can contribute to your perception of pain. What's more, you probably can't change your inborn capacity to withstand pain. So if your threshold is low, consider lining up a labor helper now. Studies show that women who give birth with a supportive doula or midwife report less use of pain medication, fewer Cesarean sections, and greater satisfaction with their birth experiences than women who don't.
What's happening : Your cervix dilates, or opens, 3 centimeters to 4 centimeters and begins to thin efface. Typically, mild-to-moderate contractions last 30 to 60 seconds and occur every five to 20 minutes, becoming stronger and occurring more frequently. What's happening : Contractions continue to become longer, stronger, and closer together, and your cervix dilates to 7 centimeters. This is when most women request pain medication , though sometimes it's given earlier.
What's happening : Pain tends to be strongest as your cervix finishes dilating to 10 centimeters. In addition to intense, closely spaced contractions, you may feel pain in your back, groin, even your sides or thighs, as well as nausea. What's happening : Intense pain is eclipsed by major pressure as you feel a great urge to bear down and push your baby out—some women describe it as "like pooping a watermelon or bowling ball.
When the baby's head crowns , or becomes visible, you may experience a burning, stinging sensation around the vaginal opening as it stretches. What's happening : This stage tends to be relatively easy, as mild, crampy contractions ease the placenta out. At this point you're focused on your newborn anyway. Dilation of the cervix is usually at least 6 cm at this stage.
During this time, the pressure on the rectum may make a woman feel as if she has to have a bowel movement. She also may feel a strong urge to push. In addition to these techniques, a doctor can discuss medical pain management methods. These include epidural anesthesia or oral medications.
If a woman thinks labor contractions have started, there are a few things she should do. These include:. If a woman cannot rule out Braxton-Hicks contractions after lying down or walking, she should call her doctor to discuss the contractions.
She should also call her doctor if her water breaks, especially if she is aware of the discharge of any green- or brown-tinted fluid. If contractions are especially painful or if a woman is worried about herself or the baby in any way, she should also seek medical attention.
They can be very painful, but there are natural techniques and medications to help reduce their severity. People should discuss labor contraction symptoms with their doctor in advance, to help identify those that signal the time to go to the hospital. There are a variety of reasons a woman may feel her stomach is tightening when she is pregnant, ranging from gas and constipation to round ligament….
However, this is not always the case, and…. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, during pregnancy does not usually cause major health issues, and can be treated with at-home care. Learn more. Learn what to expect at each stage of labor, including the early signs, when to go to hospital, pain relief options, tips for managing labor, and….
An epidural involves medicine given by an anesthesiologist through a thin, tube-like catheter that's inserted in the woman's lower back. The amount of medicine can be increased or decreased according to a woman's needs.
Very little medicine reaches the baby, so usually there are no effects on the baby from this method of pain relief. Epidurals do have some drawbacks — they can cause a woman's blood pressure to drop and can make it difficult to pee. They can also cause itching, nausea, and headaches in the mother. The risks to the baby are minimal, but include problems caused by low blood pressure in the mother.
These drugs don't relieve pain, but they may help to calm and relax women who are very anxious. Sometimes they are used along with analgesics. These drugs can have effects on both the mother and baby, and are not often used. They also can make it difficult for women to remember the details of the birth. Discuss the risks of tranquilizers with your doctor. Some women choose to give birth using no medicine at all, relying instead on relaxation techniques and controlled breathing for pain.
If you'd like to experience childbirth without pain medicine, discuss this with your health care provider.
You'll want to review your pain control options with the person who'll be delivering your baby. Find out what's available, how effective they're likely to be, and when it's best not to use some medicines. If you want to use pain-control methods other than medicine, make sure your health care provider and the hospital staff know. You might want to also consider writing a birth plan that makes your preferences clear. Remember, many women make decisions about pain relief that they abandon — often for very good reason — at the last minute.
Your ability to endure the pain of childbirth has nothing to do with your worth as a mother. By preparing and educating yourself, you can be ready to decide what pain management works best for you. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Pain During Labor and Delivery Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix.
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