Painless Delivery: A Chance to Embrace the Joy of Natural Birthing

Childbirth is a moment that reshapes a woman’s life – filled with excitement, emotion and often the fear of labour pain. For centuries, labour pain was accepted as natural and unavoidable due to traditional beliefs and misconceptions. This perception changed dramatically in 1853, when Queen Victoria of Britain used chloroform during childbirth – a turning point that made pain-free delivery widely acceptable. Over time, safer anesthetic drugs and refined techniques have made labour analgesia increasingly popular. Even so, myths and hesitations continue to prevent many expectant mothers from choosing it.

Thankfully, modern medicine has transformed the management of pain during labour, giving women the freedom to choose a more comfortable, confident and positive childbirth experience. Painless normal delivery, made possible through advanced anesthesia techniques, allows mothers to welcome their babies with ease, stress-free, and joy, without compromising the natural birthing process.

Understanding Labour Pain

The uterus is a pear-shaped organ surrounded by many sensory nerves that carry pain signals. During labour, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone”, which causes the uterus to contract rhythmically, pushing the baby downward.

The cervix, or the mouth of the uterus, is part of a tight network of muscles that opens during menstruation and delivery. As labour progresses, the uterus contracts from above and the cervix gradually dilates from being tightly closed to about 10 centimetres, allowing the baby’s head to pass through. This contraction of the uterus and stretching of the cervix cause pain.

Labour can last anywhere from 6 to 8 hours in a Primi (first-time mother), and in some cases up to 18–20 hours. Watching a mother suffer such prolonged pain is distressing for everyone. Recognizing this distress, major international medical organizations now recommend labour pain management as a standard of care.

What is Painless Delivery?

Painless delivery is a method to reduce labor pain, usually through epidural analgesia. It helps relieve pain while allowing the mother to stay awake, alert, and push effectively during a normal vaginal delivery or natural labour.

It can be achieved using an epidural technique (the commonest method) or intravenous Remifentanyl, both of which are effective in managing labour pain.

At BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, we are committed to promoting normal delivery as the first choice, with labour analgesia offered as an option to minimise pain, ensuring a safe and comfortable birthing experience for every mother.

Medical Options for Painless Delivery

Several medically approved methods are available to reduce labour pain. The three major types are:

1. Entonox Inhalation (combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen)
2. Intravenous (IV) Remifentanyl (given as a continuous infusion)
3. Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthesia for painless normal delivery is the most effective and widely used technique for pain relief during childbirth.

How is Epidural Anesthesia Administered?

The lower back is first numbed with a local anesthetic. A needle is gently inserted between the spinal bones into the epidural space. A thin, flexible catheter (thin tube) is placed in the epidural space (just outside the spinal cord covering) through which a controlled flow of mild anesthetic drugs such as Bupivacaine, often combined with Fentanyl, is delivered continuously.

The anesthesiologist administers the medication through the catheter, manually or through a precisely controlled infusion pump to ensure consistent pain relief. Within 10–15 minutes, pain relief begins.

The mother may also have a button to press if additional medication is needed, allowing her to safely control her level of comfort. This method is called Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA). These medications block pain signals from reaching the brain, allowing the mother to remain alert, comfortable, and pain-free throughout labour.

Contrary to common myths, epidurals do not slow down labour. The medications act locally on nerves and do not enter the bloodstream, ensuring that uterine contractions and the natural progression of labour continue normally.

Benefits and Risks of Epidural Anesthesia

Epidurals are usually safe, well tolerated, and effective in managing pain, especially during labour.

• Provides effective pain relief
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves the ability to focus on labour
• Causes less stress on the baby
• Enables speedy recovery
• Enhances maternal satisfaction

However, like any medical procedure, there are a few potential side effects, including:

• Mild fluctuations in blood pressure
• Temporary numbness and inability to walk around
• Headache
• Rare infection or bleeding at the injection site

Women with certain medical conditions may have increased risks. At Rainbow Hospitals, experienced anesthesiologists ensure safe administration and continuous monitoring throughout the procedure.

Alternatives to Epidural:

Though an epidural is the most effective and satisfying procedure for pain relief during labour, there may be certain medical conditions or personal preferences where it cannot be used. In such cases, two alternative options are available:

1. Remifentanyl: A very strong opioid (morphine-like drug) that helps relieve labour pain. One of its key advantages is that it is rapidly broken down by the body within a few minutes, making it safe for the baby. It is administered as a continuous infusion or via PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia). Some mothers may feel drowsy and may require minimal oxygen supplementation.
2. Entonox: A gas mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. It is inhaled through a mask during each contraction, without allowing air to dilute the gas. This method may feel tiring if contractions are frequent.

Is Painless Delivery – A Choice for Everyone?

Can you imagine anyone needing appendix surgery telling the doctor, “I shall see how it goes and then decide whether I need anesthesia”? Today, anesthesia is universally accepted as safe and essential for surgery. Similarly, pain relief during labour is safe and crucial for tolerating labour pain, especially for first-time mothers.

Painless delivery is universally possible using one of the methods described above. Planning for an epidural or other pain relief techniques in a well-equipped hospital, with experienced obstetric specialists and a strong multidisciplinary team, helps ensure a safe and stress-free delivery experience.

At “BirthRight” by Rainbow Hospitals, we offer advanced maternity services, including painless normal delivery, to ensure patient safety and a positive childbirth experience. We proudly support mothers throughout this journey with advanced labour monitoring equipment, a highly skilled team of obstetricians and anesthesiologists, 24/7 childbirth pain management assistance, meticulous birth planning, active childbirth sessions, and a secure, supportive environment.

Let’s Understand Common Myths and Facts about Epidural Anesthesia

Myth: “It increases the chance of Cesarean section”
Fact: Early methods involved higher concentrations of local anesthetics that interfered with the mother’s ability to push. Modern low-dose techniques do not affect uterine contractions or the ability to push. In fact, epidurals often reduce unnecessary Cesarean sections by helping mothers remain relaxed and cooperative.

Myth: “It causes long-term back pain”
Fact: Postpartum backache is common due to hormonal and postural changes during pregnancy and delivery, not because of the epidural. Scientific studies have found no association between epidural administration and chronic back pain.

Myth: “Epidurals may endanger baby’s health”
Fact: Epidurals are safe, and the medications used do not enter the mother’s circulation. Therefore, they have no effect on the baby.

However, for maximum safety, epidurals should always be administered in hospitals with modern facilities and experienced anesthesiologists available round the clock.

A Calmer, Happier Birth Experience

The thought of childbirth fills every mother with joy and anticipation, but the fear of labour pain can also cause anxiety and distress. Labour analgesia provides comfort, confidence, and peace of mind, allowing mothers to fully embrace the experience of bringing new life into the world.

Choosing pain relief is not a sign of weakness—it is a step toward a positive birth experience. Epidurals and other pain relief techniques are safe, effective, and empowering methods that transform childbirth into a joyful and memorable event. Painless childbirth is a well-established and widely used approach to reducing labour pain, enabling many women to give birth more comfortably. Families and medical teams now actively encourage and facilitate its use to ensure that every mother has access to a safe, comfortable, and supportive delivery experience.

Why Choose “BirthRight” by Rainbow Hospitals

At BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, we offer expert obstetric care through every stage of pregnancy—from conception and delivery to postnatal recovery.

• Comprehensive women’s health services – all under one roof
• Round-the-clock experienced obstetric care
• Complete antenatal and postnatal care
• Childbirth preparation and education classes
• 24/7 anesthesia cover
• Modern, well-equipped labour suites
• BirthRight premium luxury birthing rooms
• Largest network of Level IV NICUs with in-house neonatal teams
• Backed by Rainbow’s multispecialty pediatric care
• Personalized, compassionate care for every mother

Begin Your Motherhood Journey with BirthRight

Are you planning to start your motherhood journey? Let “BirthRight” by Rainbow Hospitals guide you with expert obstetric care, comprehensive maternity services, round-the-clock anesthesiology support, and personalized birth planning. You are just a click away from a safe, confident, and fulfilling childbirth experience. Wishing every mother, a comfortable, confident, and positive birth journey.