Entonox, Pethidine or Epidural: Your Labour Pain Relief Options

Yes, several pain relief options are available in the delivery suite — Entonox gas, Pethidine injections and the epidural — and each has different pros and cons. Understanding these choices in advance can help you feel mentally prepared for the big day.

1. Entonox Gas (Laughing Gas)

A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. You inhale the gas as each contraction begins.

• Pros: Only temporary light-headedness.
• Cons: Can cause severe nausea and a dry throat.

2. Pethidine Injection

A strong opioid injection into the muscle of your thigh.

• Pros: Very calming for early dilation of 2cm to 5cm.
• Cons: If taken too close to delivery, it crosses the placenta and can make it harder for the baby to breathe immediately after birth (the baby may need the antidote Naloxone).

3. Epidural

An anaesthetic injection around the nerve roots of your spine.

• Pros: Blocks 90% of contraction pain, allowing you to rest fully until you reach 10cm dilation.
• Cons: You may lose the sensation of the urge to push, which can lengthen the pushing stage.

Discuss Your Options Early

Every woman experiences labour contractions differently. Talk through these options with your doctor or midwife at an antenatal appointment or in the delivery suite, so you understand what is available and can make decisions calmly. Learn to recognise the real signs of labour so you know when the right moment to head to hospital has arrived. If a caesarean section becomes necessary, read the guide to what happens during a C-section for better mental preparation.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or midwife.

References

• Jones, L. et al. (2012). “Pain management for women in labour: an overview of systematic reviews.”