02 October 2018 02 Oct 2018

Pain management in labour and childbirth: Going back to basics

As rates of anxiety, tocophobia and post-traumatic stress syndrome increase, there is a need for health professionals to reflect, review and rethink how women could be better prepared for labour and birth. Women need to fully understand the choices available and to have the support to enable them to deal with the pain and challenges of labour. All pregnant women should be helped to understand the physiology of labour and birth so that they are aware of what is happening to their bodies and what they and their midwife might do or avoid to keep birth normal. Information must incorporate discussions on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief, which must be current, contemporary and evidence-based to enhance the woman's ability to make informed choices about her intrapartum care. How the woman copes with this process depends on not only the confidence she has in her own body but also on the support of her caregivers. The care setting, as well as any pre-existing fears, previous experiences and expectations all heavily influence a woman's positive or negative birth experience.