Pain relief for a home birth

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Pain relief, or not

Choosing a home birth means you'll stay in a familiar environment, and this will make a huge difference to how well you cope. Many women find they don't need any pain relief. Most will walk about, listen to music, eat, drink and generally stay relaxed, which is the key to staying in control of your labour.

Support

The presence of a supportive birth companion is one of the most effective forms of care a woman can have during labour, and it can have an enormous influence on your birth. At home, you're likely to have continuity from a midwife who'll only have you to look after, so you're less likely to need pain relief.

Massage

Massage can help reduce pain and encourage relaxation. Touch makes us feel cared for and helps us relax. Tension stops your body releasing endorphins - natural painkillers and feel-good factor - so relaxing is important in labour.

TENS machine

This is a small, battery-operated stimulator that transmits gentle, electrical impulses via four adhesive pads on your back with electrodes attached and a hand-held control box. TENS stimulates endorphins and blocks pain signals before they reach the brain. You can usually hire a TENS machine from chemists and some supermarkets.

Water

Women at home often use the bath to labour in, or hire a birthing pool. Either can mean a shorter, more relaxed labour, less need for other pain relief and a better chance of a natural delivery.

By Anne Richley, midwife