Although some women do have relatively easy births without needing any drugs, using a water birth, for example, many more women do end up using some form of pain relief.Given that a woman's experience of birth - difficult or easy, long or quite

then, to have a good think about the various pain-relief options that may be available to you during labour well in advance.Mums-to-be approach pain relief in labour with varying expectations, apprehensions and emotions. Some will want to take any pain

What is Pethidine and how does it work?Pethidine is the most commonly used morphine derivative for pain relief and relaxation during labour. The drug is usually administered via an injection into muscle (bottom or thigh) and occasionally

and provide maximum pain relief at the peak of a contraction. As you start to feel a little lightheaded your hand will automatically fall from your face with the mask and within a few seconds you should feel normal again.When can I use Entonox?You can use

from high blood pressure as it acts to lower your blood pressure. AdvantagesA highly effective form of pain relief, most women experience complete relief from painThe anaesthetic does not affect your state of mindAn epidural for a c-section allows you

that transmit pain from the uterus and cervix, also similar to a full epidural, you are very likely to lose the feeling in your legs and so experience limited mobility.Pain relief is as effective as with an epidural, but with the advantage that it sets in more

, especially now that regular pain killers are considered off limits. (See below)For a wider overview, check out the ThinkBaby articles on headaches in pregnancy and beating pregnancy back pain.Pain relief in pregnancyHeadache, aches and pains: If you usually

as what works for one baby might not for another, or might work when your baby is teething with less or more need for pain relief. DON’T give your baby sugary biscuits to chew on as, even before the teeth come up, it is possible to create bad habits

you may have visited a trained massage therapist for pain relief and relaxation. Sadly, trained massage therapists aren't that readily available to assist you during labour and birth, but there's no reason why your birth partner can't roll up his

scientist – not at all New Age – but I was impressed by hypnotherapy’s strong scientific basis. It wasn’t that I was opposed to using other forms of pain relief – I was open to anything – but I was interested enough to give the natal hypnotherapy CDs a try