Pain Management During Labor & Delivery

Choose from many pain management options available at Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) to help make your labor and delivery more comfortable.

Custom Comfort Measures

Rely on the OMC BirthCenter team to help you understand the benefits and potential risks of different pain management options. Talk to your doctor or go to childbirth classes to learn more.

Non-Pharmaceutical Options

Take advantage of:

• Aromatherapy (use of essential oils), treats physical discomforts and provides emotional comfort
• Birthing ball or exercise ball, used to balance pelvic muscles to help babies settle into birthing position
• Hip squeeze and counter pressure, type of massage to relieve pain
• Hydrotherapy (use of water in a tub or shower), increases mobility during birth
• Massage, reduces stress and eases pain in muscles
• Music, reduces anxiety and helps relieve pain
• Rhythmic breathing, encourages relaxation during contractions 
• TENs (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), used to help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain 

Medication Management

Choose from a variety of safe and effective medications to treat pain during labor, including: 

• Epidural and spinal blocks, anesthesia that numbs part of your body to prevent pain
• General anesthesia, most often used during a cesarean (c-section) to numb the body and cause you to sleep
• Nitrous oxide, a mixture of nitrous gas and oxygen you breathe in through a mask or mouthpiece to help you relax