Pain Relievers (Analgesics or Narcotics)

Pain relievers can reduce your pain. You may receive a pain reliever as a shot in a muscle or through an IV. You may get more than one dose. These drugs may cause nausea and sleepiness. They may also slow the progress of labor.

Opioids may cause the baby to be extra sleepy when born. A sleepy baby may have a harder time taking first breaths and adjusting to new world. This effect is greatest when given too near to delivery. Your doctor will give a pain reliever several hours before birth is expected to avoid a sleepy newborn. An overly sleepy baby can be treated with oxygen or medicine if needed.

Regional Anesthesia (Epidural and Nerve Block)

An epidural is the most common form of anesthesia used for delivery. It can be used for a vaginal delivery or a C-section. An anesthesiologist will give the medicine when active labor begins. A small tube is inserted into the lower back. It rests in the space near the spinal canal. Medicine is passed through the catheter into the space. The medicine will numb the body and block pain from the belly button to the toes. An epidural can be used for pain relief throughout the labor and birth process. The baby should not be affected by the medication in an epidural.

Epidural Injection © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Some issues with epidural include:

• Labor can takes longer with an epidural—higher doses can also decrease your ability to push
• Increased need for a forceps delivery or c-section
• May lower the mother’s blood pressure
• Less common side effects can include severe headache after delivery, difficulty urinating or walking after delivery, and fever

The amount of medication you are given, and the amount that you feel, can be changed. For example, the medication may be lowered just before delivery. This will let you feel the contractions better and push along with them.

Spinal anesthesia is similar to an epidural. Like an epidural, it is given in the back. It numbs the body from the belly button to the toes. The medication is injected in one dose directly into the spinal fluid. Spinal anesthesia acts quickly and women get almost instant relief. Repeat doses cannot be given easily. Spinal anesthesia is most often used for c-sections or in combination with epidurals.

Nerve blocks are a form of local anesthesia. A pudendal block is an injection given into the vaginal wall. It numbs the area at the bottom of the pelves called the perineum. It is given just before delivery, to quickly reduce pain. The effects last about one hour.

Local anesthesia may be used if other forms of anesthesia were not used. It may be needed if there is a tear or episiotomy that must be repaired after delivery. Medicine is injected in the area that will be sewn. The effect lasts for about one hour.