Caregivers will approach the care of women in labour with their own knowledge, beliefs and philosophies, in relation to the use of various methods for pain relief. Their personal approach, in combination with the 'birthplace culture', will often determine when, how and if they encourage pain relief options, be they medical and / or natural.
Caregivers could lean more towards medical forms of pain relief or towards natural therapy alternatives. Others will utilise a complementary mixture of both medical and natural forms of pain relief to suit the woman's needs.
It is fairly natural for a caregiver to favour certain methods over others because they are more familiar (and therefore more comfortable) with a particular approach to pain relief. When this is the case these methods are more likely to be suggested to the woman, or given a priority. In some cases the caregiver may actively direct the woman away from a particular method of pain relief, usually by offering something else in its place.
Methods little known (or seldom used) by the caregiver can draw responses of discomfort or scepticism. Alternatively, the caregiver could be quite familiar with a method, but believes it holds side effects for the woman and / or baby, thereby discouraging its use. The woman can also respond in similar ways accepting or requesting pain relief methods she is familiar with (or has heard positive stories about) but declining other methods offered to her because she knows little about them, or does not realise they are available.
It is important to know that a hospital's (and birth centre's) guidelines and policies will influence a caregiver's suggested method of pain relief. If the woman is labouring at home the individual preferences of the caregiver will come into play (and be limited by what is available).
Learning and understanding your own preferred strategies for pain relief and that of your caregivers will help avoid potential misunderstandings.