The mother must depend totally on nurses and doctors for basic physical needs. Extremely rare but serious medical risks exist about which the mother and her partner must be aware. There are other ways of reducing the pain of labor. Many women are helped by techniques learned in childbirth classes such as relaxation, massage, positioning, visualization, distraction, focusing and breathing done with a support person. These non-drug coping skills use your own strengths and place you in control of your body.
Epidural anesthesia is one method that can give relief from pain and discomfort in labor.
It does require that you give some control to the hospital staff. It does involve risks. The final decision is yours. Understanding this procedure can help you decide what is right for you. Another healthy Web site by Media Partners, Inc.