Step

Managing labor pain: natural and pharmacological techniques

Breathing, movement and analgesia: all the options for conscious delivery.

Psycho-emotional area

Childbirth

After 9 months

Weeks

Option 1

Useful Information

Labor pain is a real but personal experience: each person perceives it and experiences it differently. You can choose - together with the team - how to deal with it between natural or pharmacological methods. Natural techniques: - Breathing and relaxation to accompany contractions.- Free movement or vertical positions to encourage the child to descend.- Heat, shower with hot water or massages to relieve tension. The touch of the partner or midwife relaxes the muscles and transmits security.- Emotional support: presence of the partner or a trusted person to reduce anxiety.Pharmacological techniquesWhen the pain becomes too intense, it is possible to resort to medical analgesia tools. The main options are: - Epidural analgesia: it partially blocks the perception of pain, maintaining the ability to move and push. It is available free of charge at birth points that offer the service.- Spinal or combined anesthesia: used in specific cases, even for scheduled C-sections .- Exhilarating gas or intravenous analgesics if an epidural is not indicated.

You have the right to be informed about all options for pain management and to express free and informed consent. In many hospitals it is possible to request a personalized delivery plan, in which you indicate preferences on analgesia, positions and accompaniment. You can ask in advance at your point of birth if it offers the painless delivery service (24-hour epidural analgesia) and how it is managed.

Who can I interface with

Women's and maternal health

Psychological support

Useful links