Re: [ozmidwifery] RE: RWH - Pain Relief Comment on Website

[Michelle Windsor]

This reminds me of what a woman was told in private antenatal classes.... that rating pain from 1 to 10 with 10 the worst pain you can imagine, then labour will probably sit at about 20.  How's that for getting the adrenaline going and inhibiting endorphins!  No wonder some of these women walk in at 1cm wanting an epidural.

 

Michelle 

"Kelly @ BellyBelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Gosh it gets worse…

 

“The options available for pain relief during labour have increased dramatically since that time but it has only been in the second half of this century that they have been made readily available for women. The reality is that about 2 thirds of normal, healthy pregnant women suffer severe or intolerable pain during labour, and only about 2% of women are fortunate enough to describe little or no discomfort. However, despite this many women are still made to feel guilty or inadequate if they ask for pain relief, and if they manage to achieve delivery without any form of pain relief, they receive some mythical 'badge of honour'. In no other situation would anyone deliberately allow someone to suffer so severely for so long without attempting to relieve their pain. It is, of course, always the expectant mother's decision as to whether she will have anything during labour, but this can only be done in an informed fashion if she has been told her options and the pros and cons of each before she goes into labour.”

 

Best Regards,

Kelly Zantey
Creator, BellyBelly.com.au
Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood
BellyBelly Birth Support - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support

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From: Kelly @ BellyBelly [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, 30 August 2006 9:44 PM
To: 'ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au'
Subject: RWH - Pain Relief Comment on Website

 

I found this on the RWH website – in the section about the con’s of epidurals:

 

“6. Some people believe that epidurals may increase the duration of labour, or increase the likelihood of needing forceps or a Caesarean section. The evidence for or against this belief is very controversial. It is almost impossible to do unbiased studies to confirm or deny this belief. Women who have excessive pain and ask for an epidural may be the ones with bigger babies or smaller pelvises and thus be more likely to need forceps or a Caesarean section anyway. In addition, even if labour is prolonged, is it better to have a 9 hour labour in agony, or a 13 hour labour in relative comfort (as long as the baby and mother are monitored and both are well)? I would suspect the latter.

 

In conclusion I think it is important to stress that no-one can predict how they will feel during labour, and some labours are far more painful than others. Women who ask for pain relief during labour should not be made to feel guilty or inadequate, as if they have failed, but rather reassured and given the pain relief they require. The attitude of '...no, you'll be fine...let's hold of for a few more hours and see how you go...' is no longer appropriate unless the baby is about to pop out any second.”

 

Eck. Love their choice of wording too.

 

http://www.rwh.org.au/rwhanaes/whatis.cfm?doc_id=2392

Best Regards,

Kelly Zantey
Creator, BellyBelly.com.au
Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood
BellyBelly Birth Support - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support

 

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