When is it Too Late for Pain Medication?

For a pregnant woman who has decided on using pain medication for labor and delivery hearing the words, “It is too late to relieve pain” can be frightening. Why and, more importantly, when, is it too late for pain medication during labor and delivery?
Stage Progression and Pain Relief
Doctors will typically tell pregnant women to wait until the later stages of labor to report to the hospital. The first stage of labor can last more than 48 hours and there is no medical reason, in most cases, why the woman cannot fight through this beginning stage at home. If she waits a bit too long, she could progress into one of the latter stages of pregnancy before heading off for admission to the hospital. With the entire paperwork process, changing of clothes, monitoring and IV, the woman may find she feels like pushing before she received any pain medication at all. Once she reaches the pushing stage, it is too late for pain medication.

Choosing an Alternative Pain Relief
There are last minute options to reduce or eliminate pain, but the woman will need to be open-minded to these options during the latter stages of delivery. Spinal anesthesia blocks all pain and movement of the lower body. Most often, the women will not be able to interact physically or push the baby out during labor while under spinal medication. Other potential pain medications include IV pain medications, which are considered safe for both the woman and her baby during delivery.

Breathing and Pain Management
Breathing is a woman's defense against pain during labor and delivery. When pains arise, it is important to focus on breathing slow, deep breaths. Restricting air intake by holding breaths in to combat pain will reduce oxygen levels in the blood, which is unhealthy for the woman and her baby.