Pain control and pain management during labor and delivery can be very different for each person. Red Cedar Medical Center offers many options to meet these individual needs. We would like you to consider and explore the options that we offer. Please talk with your doctor or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) if you have any questions.

Comfort measures
Comfort measures and labor support are encouraged and promoted, as this can be one of the most effective resources you have during the childbirth. Your labor partner/coach and the professional nursing staff at our facility will help you initiate comfort measures that you may find helpful:

Practicing breathing and relaxation techniques will help you overcome some of the tension and fear you may feel during labor. These techniques also enhance the effects of any anesthetic or medications that you may choose.

Continuous Labor Epidural
The Continuous Labor Epidural involves the placement of a larger needle into the lower back. The needle is larger to allow for a small catheter (plastic tube or straw) to be passed into the epidural space.

The needle is then removed, and the catheter is taped into place. The catheter allows a continuous infusion of medicine, again a combination of numbing and a narcotic. Most women who receive a CLE are able to fully participate in the birth experience and maintain the ability to feel touch and pressure while relieving most, if not all, of the pains of labor.

Intrathecal Narcotic
The Intrathecal Narcotic (ITN) is a one time injection given in the lower back into the subarachnoid space. A combination of local anesthetic and a narcotic is injected is injected into the subarachnoind space. The rapid loss of feeling below the waist usually lasts two to four hours. It is generally used for women who have achieved a higher degree of cervical dilation and are expected to deliver soon.