How to cope with the pain of childbirth

| Labor pain is highly variable from one woman to another, both in intensity and in location and type of pain, although it tends to increase as labor progresses.

What is labor pain like?

The uterus is a muscle that contracts to dilate the cervix and push the baby through the birth canal. This pain, at the beginning of labor, is mild, variable in intensity and irregular. As labor progresses, this pain becomes more regular in intensity and interval.

Some women describe it as severe period or ovarian pain, others as kidney pain, and still others as crampy pain. Between contractions there is no pain, although in the final phase of labor you feel an unpleasant pressure in the vagina, and these moments should be used to relax and rest.

The fear of pain does not allow a good relaxation that is very important to be able to cope with it. To overcome fear, information is a very good weapon. They are a good source of information as they are taught by healthcare professionals.

Adequate physical exercise during pregnancy also helps to strengthen the muscles and prepare the body for labor. Yoga is a good tool for some women to learn relaxation techniques to use between contractions and get more rest.

pain medication

• . Some pain relievers can be used to decrease labor pain, especially in the first hours, when contractions are not yet very regular. Some strong pain relievers can be used later in labor, but can make the mother drowsy.
• . Regional anesthesia makes it possible to not feel pain from the administered area to the feet. Epidural or epidural anesthesia is usually the most commonly used regional anesthesia in childbirth. A catheter is placed in the back, in contact with the spinal column, which makes it possible not to have pain, although the sensation of pressure may remain, but maintaining the force to be able to push at the moment of delivery. The dose used depends on each patient and can be varied according to the needs of each one. The catheter allows that if more doses of anesthesia are needed, or because of pain, or because labor is lengthening and the effect is disappearing, more anesthetic can be administered without the need to puncture again. The spinal anesthesia is also placed in the spine through the back but it does not allow leaving a catheter, its effect to reduce pain is faster but no more doses can be administered later. If a patient is in labor with epidural anesthesia and the labor finally ends in one, more doses of anesthesia can be administered through the catheter to avoid the pain of the intervention.
• . In patients who do not want regional anesthesia or in whom it is contraindicated, local anesthesia can be applied if an episiotomy is necessary and sutured or if a tear occurs that requires repair.
• . In patients with contraindicated regional anesthesia and who require a cesarean section or an instrumentalized delivery (forceps, spatulas ...), general anesthesia can be performed.

Some women prefer that in the case of a normal delivery without complications, they do not receive any type of anesthesia. In this case, it is very important that they have done prior preparation, know what type of pain they may face and have learned relaxation techniques that allow them not to lose control during labor and to be able to enjoy it.

The best possible preparation

The moment of delivery always generates fears and concerns among pregnant women, that is why many offer their insured free Childbirth Preparation programs in the specialized medical centers included in their guide. MAPFRE also offers Family Planning and Assisted Reproduction programs.

What you should know:

• Childbirth is usually painful but the type of pain, its intensity and location vary greatly from one woman to another.
• It is very important to be relaxed so as not to feel so much pain. Antepartum courses, proper sports, and yoga can help.
• Some health insurances include free access to childbirth preparation programs in their coverage, which is a great advantage for pregnant women.