Managing Pain During Labor

Non-Pharmacological Pain Relief Interventions

Effleurage
- Lightly stroking the abdomen in rhythm with breathing during contractions
- Provides tactile stimulation to distract the brain
Sacral Counterpressure
- Pressure applied to the sacrum to counter the pressure from inside
- Especially helpful for back labor
Breathing Techniques
- Methods like 'hee hee hoo' from popular culture
- Helps focus and ensures patient continues breathing
Importance of non-drug methods for those desiring natural, unmedicated labor

Systemic Relief
- Opioids
  - Strong pain relief; affects both mom and baby
  - Antidote: Naloxone for opioid toxicity
- Antiemetics for nausea
- Benzodiazepines for anxiety
Inhalation
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
  - Quick reversibility, popular in some countries
  - Suitable for patients avoiding opioids
Regional Anesthesia
- Epidural
  - Inserted into epidural space, usually between L3-L4
  - Pain relief from belly down, causes weakness, and loss of sensation
  - Side effect: Maternal hypotension; important to monitor blood pressure
- Spinal Block
  - One-time injection into cerebrospinal fluid
  - Used for C-sections, affects nipples down
  - Side effect: Hypotension
Local Infiltration
- Used for episiotomy or suturing tears using lidocaine
Pudendal Nerve Block
- Provides pain relief to lower genital area without affecting contraction pains

Always assess mother and baby well-being when using pharmacological interventions
For hypotension post-epidural/spinal, increase IV fluids and reposition the patient optimally

Importance of understanding both non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods
Encouragement to engage with video content, subscribe, and share experiences

Meris emphasizes understanding the impact of the methods and encourages viewers to subscribe and share feedback.