Pain and Labour Flashcards
during labour, pain is most often felt in…
the abdominal wall
the lumbosacral region
the gluteal region
visceral pain:
internal organs
uterus contracting
somatic pain:
pain receptors in tissues
the perineum, the skin, the abdomen
the role of the midwife in supporting women in pain involves:
reducing fears facilitating optimum pain relief preparing pregnant women through antenatal education continuous support in labour support each woman individually
fear in labour may…
heighten pain by increasing release of stress hormones
midwives should provide continuous support
hypobirthing most often involves:
non-pharmacological option
visualisation relaxation mindfulness deep breathing positive affirmations
massage as a non-pharmacological option:
light touch or deeper
aids relaxation
releases oxytocin
hydrotherapy as a non-pharmacological option:
using water, immersed in bath or pool aids relaxation can make contractions less painful aids relaxation women can move around associated with positive experience and less intervention
TENS stands for:
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
produces electrical sensations which interrupt pain impulses at spinal level
acupuncture as a non-pharmacological option:
fine needles inserted into points on skin
aims to rebalance body
not advised or performed by midwives
aromatherapy as a non-pharmacological option:
midwives can be trained to perform this (only offered to women over 37 weeks)
uses essential oils to promote relaxation
via massage, bath water, compress, inhaled, diffused
e.g. lavender, rose, jasmine
sterile water for injection as a non-pharmacological option:
not recommended by NICE
can be injected into 4 points in lower back, causes intense stinging but is thought to shut off gateways to pain
entonox as a pharmacological option:
‘gas and air’
mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen
self-administered
supply is not continuous
impacts are quick, around 20 seconds
should be used when contraction commences to gain maximum effort
but can cause sickness and light-headedness
what is the only pharmacological option that can be used to in the pool?
entonox
opiods as a pharmacological option:
injections given IM
take about 20 minutes to take effect (last 2-4 hours)
can cause drowsiness (cannot get in pool until after 2 hours) and inhibit mobilising
can cross placenta and make baby drowsy (impact on feeding)
antiemetic offered at the same time
