Childbirth

With the correct technique, good pain relief can be achieved. Be sure to ask the midwife to demonstrate the correct technique.

Morphine or pethidine

These are strong painkillers given via an intramuscular injection. They are often used in combination with Entonox. Serious side effects are rare. Minor side effects are the mother may become drowsy, develop an itchy nose or feel nauseous.

The drugs cross into the baby's bloodstream and, occasionally, the baby may be slow to start breathing when born. If this is the case, the midwife or paediatrician will give the baby a drug called Narcan to reverse the effects of the painkiller.

These painkillers are given once or twice during the course of labour. Women do not become hooked on them.

Epidural and spinal anaesthesia

These techniques are provided by anaesthetists. They both involve placing a tube or needle near the spinal cord in the lower region of the back. They usually provide excellent pain relief.

An epidural is long lasting and is suitable from the beginning of labour right through to the delivery.

A spinal anaesthesia is for short-term use, say for a forceps delivery or Caesarean section.

Serious side effects from epidural and spinal anaesthesia are rare, and midwives and anaesthetists are trained to watch out for them.

Epidurals do not make the labour slower, but sometimes make it more difficult for you to push effectively in the second stage of labour.

Tears in the vagina or perineum

If the skin around the vagina has been torn, or cut in an episiotomy, it will usually need to be stitched. Many women are nervous about whether or not cuts and tears will heal again after the birth, but fortunately most do.

Most women will be given some local anaesthesia in the perineum and in the vagina (or some other form of anaesthetic) before receiving stitches. This is done with a local injection (similar to having an injection at the dentist). Dissolving stitches are used so they do not need to be removed.

What if the muscle of the anus tears?

Very few women will experience their anal sphincter tearing during childbirth. This usually only happens if the baby is very big, but it can also sometimes be torn if the doctor uses forceps or a ventouse.

The sphincter will be stitched up by a doctor and this is usually performed under a spinal, epidural or general anaesthetic because it can otherwise be painful.

If you experience any kind of incontinence after childbirth, you should consult your doctor. Regular muscle tightening exercises help reduce the chance of this happening. All women can benefit from doing these in the weeks following birth. The midwife can explain what to do.

Why do some births end in an emergency Caesarean section?

Some births require an emergency Caesarean if unexpected complications arise and the baby is showing signs of a lack of oxygen.

If the labour is progressing slowly, a Caesarean is usually necessary.

All deliveries are different and every woman's experience of labour and birth will be different. But most births are normal and natural - and most women are happy to go through it again.

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