Alternatives to drugs in labour

Alternatives to drugs in labour
Written by Baby~ola, Newmarket

Many of us make changes in our behaviours and habits while pregnant to benefit our unborn babies. We try to eat more healthfully, take vitamins, we avoid alcohol, cigarettes, certain medications and potentially toxic cleansers, among other things.

But what about the use of drugs in labour? Are we fully aware of the risks that those drugs present to ourselves and our babies?
Research conducted has shown that epidurals have risks not often revealed to us by the medical community.

The administration of an epidural to a labouring woman will often slow the labour process down, which can lead to the use of Pitocin to augment the labour. The combination of the epidural and Pitocin can create fetal heart distress, which increases the need for operative delivery (vacuum, forceps, cesarean section). One study found that the rate for instrumental delivery (vacuum, forceps) doubled when an epidural was administered.

Other side effects of epidurals include a drop in maternal blood pressure, postpartum hemmorage and lower Apgar scores for newborns. In addition, the use of epidurals in labour may affect the experience and success of breastfeeding.

But what about the pain???..you say!
Relaxation techniques including self-hypnosis, the use of a TENS unit and submersion in water have provided relief for many labouring women, all of which are safe with no adverse side effects on the user or their baby.

Our minds are incredibly powerful and our thoughts have much more effect than we may realize over the functioning of our bodies. With the assistance of recorded or practiced suggestions many women have successfully avoided the pain of labour. Hypnosis is a natural form of anethesia and the state of relaxation that can be achieved through hypnosis improves blood flow, and thus oxygenation of the uterine muscles which (think opposite of runners cramp!)helps prevent pain.

TENS is the abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator, which simply put, stimulates the nerves using electrical current passed through the skin. TENS are widely used by physiotherapists.The use of TENS in labour has the electrode pads attached to specific points in the back. A pulsed electric current blocks pain messages from the cervix and uterus to the brain, and also stimulates the users body to produce endorphins – the body’s natural pain relieving substance.

The Benefits of Water for Labour and Birth
Immersion in water, through the use of a birthing tub has many benefits to the labouring woman. Some people call waterbirth an "aquadural” because it is often more effective and safer than an epidural. Water minimizes pain so effectively that for most women, other pain control methods are no longer needed. Water stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibers in the skin, it blocks impulses from the pain fibers, known as the Gate Theory of Pain. The use of a birth tub gives women greater comfort and mobility and allows the woman to move spontaneously and change position to assist the descent of the baby. While the buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles = less pain for the mother and more oxygen for the baby.
If any of these prospects sound interesting to you, you should know that in addition to mom and baby classes, prenatal classes, and a fabulous boutique, Baby~ola rents the AquaDoula portable tub for labour and birth, the Medela Symphony breastpump, fetal Doppler monitors and a TENS unit.

Call 905-657-8909 or visit www.babyola.ca for more details on our rental rates.