What is non-medical pain relief during labour?

There are many things that can reduce pain during labour. Many of these do not involve medicines or procedures.

These can include:

• being active during labour
• having a support person
• massage and touch
• water and warmth
• relaxation techniques

Other pain-relief methods may include:

• aromatherapy
• acupuncture and acupressure
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
• sterile water injections

Active birth

Active birth is when you choose to move your body in different positions during labour.

Staying active is one of the most helpful things you can do to manage the pain of labour and birth. This may include:

• moving around freely
• changing positions
• rocking your pelvis
• using a birth ball

Moving around can help with comfort, relaxation and your confidence to manage pain.

Staying upright also allows gravity to help move your baby down into your pelvis.

Support person

Having a support person during labour can help you cope and manage the pain. This may be your:

• partner
• a close friend or family member
• a paid support person, such as a doula

Some people choose to have more than one support person.

Your support person can provide practical support with non-medical pain relief techniques (for example, massage). They may also help by providing emotional support and encouragement.

Massage and touch

Massage and touch can help ease your pain in labour. Massage can help:

• distract you from the pain so you can cope better
• reduce muscle tension
• reduce anxiety

Sometimes, massage during labour will feel good. But at other times, you may find it irritating. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your support person before labour.

Water and warmth

Hot and cold packs may help with pain in labour.

Most hospitals and birthing centres will have facilities that allow you to have a warm bath or shower during the first stage of labour.

You may find that being in a warm bath or shower:

• is relaxing
• relieves pain
• helps you cope with the contractions
• helps reduce pressure on your pelvis

Your midwife will still need to monitor you if you are in the bath. And warm baths and showers may not be possible for some women during labour.

Having a bath or shower to ease pain during labour is not the same as having a water birth.

Relaxation

Relaxation methods can help ease pain in labour. You can use different things to help you relax, such as:

• music
• yoga
• breathing techniques

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy may reduce anxiety and the intensity of pain during birth. It may help you feel calmer.

Aromatherapy should only be used by qualified complementary health practitioners. If you're thinking of using aromatherapy, check that your hospital or birth centre allows it.

Acupuncture and acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure may help reduce pain in labour. More evidence is needed to show how well it may work.

Only a trained person should perform acupuncture. Not all hospitals have an acupuncture therapist on staff, so you may need to discuss arranging your own practitioner.

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

TENS passes small electrical currents across your skin. This may help relieve pain during labour.

TENS is given via a TENS machine — a small, portable machine that runs on batteries.

It is not completely clear how TENS works to relieve pain. It's possible that TENS:

• blocks pain signals by stimulating different nerves in your spinal cord
• helps your body to release endorphins — natural pain relievers

Other ways that TENS may reduce pain in labour is by:

• giving you a sense of control
• providing a distraction

This can reduce anxiety and improve your sense of wellbeing.

While there is not a lot of evidence to show that TENS works to reduce pain, some people find it helpful.

Sterile water injections

Sterile water can be injected just under the skin of your lower back. Your midwife can do this to help relieve lower back pain for around 90 minutes.

It is not clear if sterile water injections work, or whether they work very often. You may still need other pain relief.

The injections may sting but there are no other known side effects for you or your baby. Not all hospitals or birthing centres will offer this service.

Resources and support

Read more on pain relief during labour and making a birth plan.

You can ask your midwife, doctor or obstetrician about non-medical pain relief options for labour. They will be able to answer your questions.

Royal Women’s Hospital has information on managing pain in labour. There are also some fact sheets available in different languages.