Labor Pain FAQs

Management of Labor Pain

It is vitally important that we discuss pain management during the course of your pregnancy.

Consistent with our philosophy of personalized health care, we believe epidural is one of many options that can be used to treat pain during labor. We also feel it can sometimes be used to aid the progression of labor, contrary to the widely held belief that it is a hindrance. If medically appropriate, we do not withhold an epidural for a woman who wants one based on some magic number of cervical dilation.

However, we also support the decision some women make not to have an epidural. There are many other options, both medical and non-medical. Medical approaches include use of medications, while non-medical options include walking, massage, use of showers and labor tubs, breathing exercises, and others.