It is widely known that some medical, and natural, forms of pain relief are capable of slowing the progress of a woman's labour. What is not as well recognised is that, in some circumstances, pain relief can actually contribute to the woman progressing in her labour.
A woman rarely labours well, unless she is relaxed. Apprehension can inhibit her progress, especially from one phase of her labour to the next. The turning points are classically at about 3cms, 7cms, near full dilation and the active pushing phase. If the woman is overly concerned about certain issues, then she may be 'held up' at these points, and not progress.
Sometimes, if the woman has internal concerns causing her anxiety or fear, then pain relief can sometimes be the answer. This is because they Amy facilitate her relaxation, enabling her to 'let go', so her labour can progress.
The most appropriate types of pain relief will depend on what stage you are in the labour, and your personal preferences. The most effective methods include:
Bath
Gas
Narcotic injection
Epidural