Non drug pain relief in labor

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Highlights
Abbreviations
Cited by (0)
Labor support
Relaxation—physical and mental
Creating a soothing environment
Hypnobirthing
Hydrotherapy
Touch therapy
Movement and positioning
In conclusion
How can I manage labor pains without drugs?
What is the most common pain relief during birth?
What pain relief techniques will help during labor?
Which substances acts as a natural painkiller in the body during labor?

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Highlights

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Appropriate history and physical examinations are crucial to avoid contraindicated medications in labor pain managment.

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Combined non-pharmacologic methods with a lower dose of indicated drugs provides significant advantages for both mothers and their infants.

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Using available and cost effective labor pain managment with minimal complications has paramount importance in resource limited setting.

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During provision of labor analgesia service provider should aware of complications to intervene at theright time.

Abstract

Background

Despite improvement in pain management programs, labor pain is mostly ignored especially in low and middle-income countries.

Methods

The aim of this study is to establish a clear clinical working guideline for labor pain management in resource limited settings. This systematic review is conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline 2020. After formulating clear criteria for the evidences to be included an appropriate method of searching was conducted by using the Pub Med, Google scholar and Cochrane library using the following MeSH terms: (‘Parenteral opioids’ AND′ Labor pain’, ‘Labor’ AND ‘Pain management, ‘Non-pharmacologic methods ‘AND ‘Labor pain’, ‘Labor pain management AND massage therapy). The study quality of literatures was categorized based on WHO 2011 level of evidence and degree of recommendation. Final conclusions and recommendations are done with the analysis of risk and benefits of alternative management strategies for non-regional techniques of labor pain management. The study is registered with research registry unique identifying number (UIN) of 1267 “https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#registryofsystematicreviewsmeta-analyses/.” and the study is moderate based on AMSTAR 2 quality assessment criteria/https://amstar.ca/Amstar_Checklist.php.

Discussion

Combined forms of Non-pharmacologic and selected low dose pharmacologic approaches of labor pain management, provides significant benefits to women and their infants. During provision of labor analgesia complications may happen and the service provider should involve in the management of those complications.

Conclusion

This study has a paramount importance to practice the most reliable, available and cost effective method of labor analgesia.

Keywords

Labor pain management

Non-pharmacologic methods

Parenteral opioids

Abbreviations

PRISMA

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Cited by (0)

There are many ways to decrease pain in labor without the use of medications. These comfort measures can be very effective in providing some degree of pain relief. Laboring women can use a variety of techniques to decrease the pain and discomfort of their contractions.

For women who birth without medical interventions, there may be many benefits, including:

Less pain after birth
Faster recovery from birth
Less chance of a Cesarean section
Increase in self-esteem as a result of the birth
More bonding with the baby
A calmer, more settled baby
Less likelihood of depression after the birth
Potential for easier breastfeeding

Labor support

Labor support can be the father of the baby, a partner, a family member, a birth assistant (doula) or a clinical caregiver. Labor support persons take on many roles during labor. They can provide support by helping the laboring woman into positions of comfort, helping her on and off the birth ball or peanut ball (described later), providing massage, offering companionship, helping her breathe through her contractions, giving her ice chips, and verbally encouraging and reassuring her through each contraction.

Relaxation—physical and mental

There are a number of physical relaxation techniques that women can use to decrease anxiety and labor pain. Women achieve a state of relaxation through a variety of methods and practice, not by being told to relax. One method is called progressive relaxation. With this type of relaxation, the laboring woman tenses and releases specific areas of her body, working from the head down, or the feet up.

Mental relaxation in the form of guided imagery or visualization can distract a laboring woman from her labor pain. This form of relaxation encourages a woman to focus on a relaxing scene, a soothing object or picture, or even a sound, such as the sound of waves on a beach. Many laboring women use the repetition of positive phrases such as “I can do this” to enhance their confidence while affirming their ability to birth.

Creating a soothing environment

It is important that a laboring woman feel safe and cared for. Creating a peaceful and relaxing environment in a hospital setting is important in decreasing anxiety and tension.

Labor and birth are very sensory experiences. Different methods can be used to lessen nausea, anxiety and pain. Aromatherapy is among the techniques that can increase the laboring woman’s sense of well-being. Natural essential oils, such as lavender, may be very soothing. Listening to music is another way for a woman to cope and distract herself in labor. Music can be calming, making labor less stressful.

Soft lighting, closed doors, quiet voices, a comfortable pillow, and a focal point such as a picture or other personal object from home can help a laboring woman to relax.

Hypnobirthing

There are a number of women who learn hypnobirthing techniques. Hypnobirthing uses deep relaxation and self-hypnosis in order to decrease the laboring woman’s anxiety, fear and pain. Hypnobirthing can be used along with other coping skills and birthing techniques. Shorter labors, along with a decrease in pain medication and epidurals, may be seen in mothers who use hypnobirthing techniques.

Hydrotherapy

Laboring in warm water has been shown to enhance relaxation and comfort, as well as decrease pain and anxiety.

Touch therapy

Touch can be provided to laboring women in a variety of ways. Women can vary in their preference for touch. Touch can be simply holding hands, a hug, or it can be the light touch of elongated strokes. It can take the form of massage or acupressure.

Movement and positioning

There are many positions that a woman can use during her labor to decrease pain and enhance her labor progress. The uterus works more efficiently during labor when the woman is moving or walking. Movement during labor can decrease a woman’s pain perception. This is because endorphins (“feel good” hormones) are released as the contractions become stronger. As a result, laboring women have less need for pain medication. Women who move and change positions in labor may have shorter labors.

The birth ball is a tool that women in labor can use to encourage movement in labor or relaxation. It has many benefits when utilized in labor. When women sit on the ball, it allows for a back and forth swaying movement or hip circles which encourage muscles to relax and this swaying motion may reduce pain and assist with positioning and descent of the baby. A peanut ball (an inflated ball shaped like a peanut) can be used to open the mother’s pelvis, which encourages the baby to descend and rotate. This can shorten the mother’s labor.

Breathing

While there is no “right” way to breathe in labor, many women find deep breathing very relaxing during their labors. Deep breathing can keep both the mother and her baby well-oxygenated and provide a distraction from her labor pain. Deep breathing can reduce anxiety and pain perception, as well as decrease heart rate. In addition, breathing techniques during labor can help decrease nausea during labor. Breathing techniques can help make contractions more productive by bringing oxygen to the uterus.

In conclusion

A woman in labor has a variety of non-pharmacological techniques for decreasing pain. She has to choose what techniques feel good for her in labor. While a variety of techniques may be used, she may change how and when she uses them based on her labor scenario. Having positive and involved labor support as well as supportive caregivers will enhance her birth experience.

How can I manage labor pains without drugs?

Non-medical pain relief during labour.

Active birth. Staying active is one of the most helpful things you can do to manage the pain of labour and birth. ... .

Massage and heat. Massage and hot packs can ease your pain in labour. ... .

Water immersion. ... .

Relaxation. ... .

Aromatherapy. ... .

Acupuncture. ... .

TENS. ... .

Sterile water injections..

What is the most common pain relief during birth?

An epidural block (sometimes referred to as “an epidural”) is the most common type of pain relief used for childbirth in the United States. In an epidural block, medication is given through a tube placed in the lower back.

What pain relief techniques will help during labor?

Medicine-free ways to handle pain during labor include:.

hypnosis..

meditation..

walking..

massage or counterpressure..

changing position..

taking a bath or shower..

listening to music..

Which substances acts as a natural painkiller in the body during labor?

Endorphins. When you face stress or pain, your body produces calming and pain-relieving hormones called endorphins. You may have higher levels of endorphins near the end of pregnancy.

Labour pain duration