Archive for the ‘Maternity and Labor’ Category
Childbirth and Labor: Pain Relief Options
One of the most painful and yet fulfilling experiences of a woman is labor and childbirth. But gone are the days when a woman has to endure this in all its painful glory. Although some choose to go natural because of its benefits despite having to bear the pain, the field of medicine has given women the option to go through it without pain or at least less pain.
- Local anesthesia. This is used to numb the area around the vagina. Unfortunately, this does not do anything for pain during labor.
- Regional anesthesia. The options for this kind of pain relief are epidurals or spinal anesthesia. A regional anesthesia will usually block sensation from the waist down. This can also be used if there would be a need to do a cesarean operation.
- General anesthesia. This would put you to sleep during the whole experience and rarely used.