Most expectant mothers look forward to labor and delivery, the end of a long, 40-week process that results in the birth of a child. However, for most women, labor and delivery can be physically painful and emotionally draining. To help prepare for the delivery process, pregnant women should give thought as to how they want to treat pain during childbirth.

It is impossible to know beforehand how much pain a woman will experience during childbirth. The degree of pain varies from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy. For these reasons, women should consider in advance their options for pain relief and inform their physician about the choice that feels right for them.

Some women prefer natural childbirth, in which the mother uses breathing techniques and other methods to deal with the pain of labor. In other cases, women may choose various types of drugs that can significantly reduce pain. In many cases, the way labor and delivery unfold will dictate the method of pain relief regardless of the patient’s desires.

Each woman’s perception of pain is unique and women have different tolerance levels. Women who initially choose to forgo medications should not feel ashamed if the pain of labor causes them to change their minds.