Non-pharmacological Methods for Pain Relief in Obstetrics

SUMMARY

This chapter has reviewed four methods of non-pharmacological pain relief for obstetric analgesia (prepared childbirth, acupuncture, hypnosis, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), presenting a brief explanation of each technique followed by their advantages and disadvantages. Prepared childbirth is by far the most widely practised method of non-pharmacological pain relief in obstetrics. Acupuncture, hypnosis and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are all practised, but on a much more limited scale. The importance of each non-pharmacological method of pain relief will depend upon the patient's wishes and experiences during childbirth, as well as the availability of other modes of producing analgesia for childbirth.