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Pain relief options in labour

There is no right or wrong way to cope with labour. Here is every option, fairly, so you can choose and change your mind.

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In short

Without medicine

Warm water, massage, movement, breathing and a calm room can all help.

TENS and gas and air

TENS is a small machine with pads on your back. Gas and air works fast and wears off quickly.

Injections

Pethidine or similar can take the edge off pain but may make you or baby drowsy.

Epidural

This gives the strongest relief. It means staying on the bed and may make pushing or the later stage of labour longer.

Your options

There are many ways to cope with labour pain. You can use one or several, and you can change your mind at any time.

Without drugs

Water, massage, movement, breathing, hypnobirthing and a calm room all help. Continuous support from someone you trust is one of the best ways to cope.

TENS

A small machine with sticky pads on your back sends tiny electrical pulses. It may help in early labour. It cannot be used in water.

Gas and air

Entonox is breathed in through a mouthpiece. It works fast and wears off quickly. It may make you feel light-headed or sick.

Opioid injections

Pethidine or diamorphine can help you relax and cope. They may make you drowsy or sick, and can affect your baby’s breathing and early feeding if given close to birth.

Epidural

An epidural numbs the lower body and gives the best pain relief. It means staying in bed with monitoring and a drip.

It can make the pushing stage longer and slightly raise the chance of an assisted birth. It does not raise the chance of a caesarean.

Based on NHS and NICE guidance on pain relief in labour. Mia teaches. Your midwife knows you best.

Sources: NHS: Pain relief in labour · NICE guideline NG235: Intrapartum care · Cochrane review: Epidural versus non-epidural analgesia

Good to know

Can I change my mind about pain relief?

Yes, at any time. It is your choice.

Does an epidural harm my baby?

It is generally considered safe. Your anaesthetist can talk through the risks with you.

Is an epidural always available?

Only in hospital labour wards, not at home or in most birth centres.

More on birth

Induction

Caesarean birth

Natural birth

All 15 birth guides