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Birthing and Assessment (B & A) | Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora

If I need some pain relief what can you give me?

Non-medical (non-pharmacological) pain relief

Water. We have showers in every birthing room and some baths. Water helps reduce pain and helps you relax
Heat packs – We have our own. Safety rules mean we cannot use your wheat bags or hot water bottles
Movement and touch. Your midwife will make suggestions of things for you and your supporters to try. If you are on your own, your midwife will be your supporter
Music - bring your favourite relaxing music
pamphlet non-pharmacologocal

Medical pain relief

Entenox (gas & air/laughing gas) in every birthing room. We use mouthpieces (not masks) for you to breathe it through
Pethidine – this is an injection which goes into a large muscle e.g. your bottom, or into a vein in your hand/arm through a special tube called a luer (venflon)
Epidural. We have a 24 hour epidural service. Sometimes you may have to wait if the specialist doctor (anaesthetist) is busy with someone else. pamphlet epidural from anaesthetics
Other medicines. There is a small group of women who cannot safely have an epidural but need strong pain relief. Your midwife will call the anaesthetist for you to discuss this

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