Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological pain relief during labor Essay

Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological pain relief during labor Essay

Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological pain relief during labor Essay

Pain during labor is almost universally experienced. Although labor and birth are normal physiologic processes, they can produce significant pain. Therefore, controlling the pain should be considered without causing harm to the fetus or impairing the process of labor. This paper will discuss the pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures used to relieve pain during labor.

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Pharmacological Measures

Pharmacological methods include systemic opiate drugs. Opiate drugs are frequently used in labor due to their powerful analgesic properties. The commonly used systemic opiates include Pethidine, Diamorphine, and Meptazinol (Nanji & Carvalho, 2020). The three opiates have similar pain-relieving properties. Inhalation analgesia is another pain relief measure used during labor. Nitrous oxide is the most common drug used in inhalation analgesia. It restricts transmission of neuronal and synaptics in the central nervous system (Nanji & Carvalho, 2020). Nitrous oxide takes effect within 20 seconds. Thus, the woman should inhale it before a contraction. The maximum efficiency of Nitrous oxide occurs after 45 – 50 seconds and, if the timing is right, this should occur at the height of the contraction, offering maximum pain relief.

An epidural block is a pain relief strategy that involves introducing an indwelling plastic catheter into the epidural space using a curved-tip needle between L1- L2, L2 – L3, L3 – L4. An epidural block relaxes pain slower than other methods, and it is initiated as soon as active labor is established (Czech et al., 2018). Drugs used in the epidural block include Lignocaine, Bupuracaine, and Chloroprocaine. The benefits of epidural block include reducing the risk of hypotension and local anesthesia toxicity. Besides, the mother is usually fully awake during labor thus cooperative. A paracervical block is another type of local anesthesia used in labor. It decreases the pain caused by contractions and stretching of the cervix (Nanji & Carvalho, 2020). The nerves that conduct labor pain pass next to the cervix. Thus, blocking nerve condition with Lignocaine at this point blocks labor pain. A paracervical block persists for 1-2 hours. However, the fetus’s heartbeat can slow down following a paracervical block.

Non-Pharmacological Pain Relief

Non-pharmacological measures address the physical sensation of pain and aim at preventing distress by focusing on the spiritual and psycho-emotional aspects of care without using drugs (Thomson et al., 2019). They include hypnobirthing, which relaxes the mind to allow the body function as it is meant to. It is tailored to train women in labor to have faith in the natural birth process and relax to allow their bodies act as required. Hypnobirthing uses exercises such as visualization, optimistic thinking, relaxation, and deep-breathing.

Relaxation and breathing techniques distract women in labor from labor pain and contraction. Relaxation alleviates pain similar to lessening muscle tension which causes pain and anxiety (Czech et al., 2018). They focus more on increasing a woman’s capacity to handle the labor pain compared to decreasing the pain. Women in labor are trained on rhythmic breathing to maximize the level of oxygen for the mother and fetus. In addition, visualization and imagery are used to temporarily shift the woman away from her present situation (Czech et al., 2018). Music therapy is used to relieve anxiety, stress, and pain. It also effectively regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, which are crucial during labor and delivery.

Conclusion

Pharmacological pain relief measures include systemic opiates, inhalation analgesia with Nitrous oxide, epidural block, and paracervical block. Non-pharmacological measures include hypnobirthing, relaxation and breathing techniques, visualization, imagery, and music therapy.

References

Czech, I., Fuchs, P., Fuchs, A., Lorek, M., Tobolska-Lorek, D., Drosdzol-Cop, A., & Sikora, J. (2018). Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Methods of Labour Pain Relief-Establishment of Effectiveness and Comparison. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(12), 2792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122792

Nanji, J. A., & Carvalho, B. (2020). Pain management during labor and vaginal birth. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.03.002

Thomson, G., Feeley, C., Moran, V. H., Downe, S., & Oladapo, O. T. (2019). Women’s experiences of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief methods for labour and childbirth: a qualitative systematic review. Reproductive health, 16(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0735-4

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