Your contractions will be much less painful and you may feel shaky and hungry. If you had an episiotomy or a tear, it will be repaired once the placenta has been delivered. Following the delivery of your baby, the umbilical cord will be cut and your uterus will be massaged to keep it firm. Your baby will be given eyedrops to prevent infection, and footprints and handprints will be taken. Pain Management Childbirth classes may help you cope with the pain of labor and delivery by teaching relaxation methods, breathing techniques, and an awareness of what will be happening to your body.
Many women also choose to use drugs to help manage the pain.
May cause drowsiness or lack of concentration. Local anesthesia rarely affects the baby. The pudendal block is one of the safest forms of pain management. The paracervical block wears off quickly and sometimes slows the baby's heartbeat. An epidural block will lessen pain from contractions, as well as pain in the vagina when the baby emerges.