Be prepared / Be Informed

Focus on Calm Breathing (less distraction by pain)

Practise Relaxation prior to labour

Massage during labour

Birthing Pool (warm bath - ask your midwife about availability)

TENS (= Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
- a gentle electrical current is passed through 4 pads on your back

Aromatherapy (e.g. essenial oils)

Reflexology (foot massage)

Acupuncture (insertion of needles in & under the skin to relief pain)

Hypnosis (self-hypnosis, hypnotherapist - to distract from pain)

Entonox ("gas and air")

Opioids (strong pain killers, intramuscularly given by midwife)

Epidural (commonly used in labour)

Spinal (rarely used in labour)

CSE (Combined Spinal-Epidural)

PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia, intravenous "pain pump")