How I plan to manage pain during labour
There are many different options for pain relief during labour and birth. The table below gives an outline of which types are available in each area.
| Different types of pain relief available in each setting | Home (in early labour) | Homebirth (planned) | Birth Centre | Labour Ward |
| Non-medicated types | Breathing and relaxation techniques | Breathing and relaxation techniques | Breathing and relaxation techniques | Breathing and relaxation techniques |
| Aromatherapy | Aromatherapy | Aromatherapy | Aromatherapy | |
| TENS machine | TENS machine | TENS machine | TENS machine | |
| Bath or shower | Birth pool (you will need to hire/purchase one) | Birth pool (in all rooms) | Birth pool (in some rooms) | |
| Sterile water injections | Sterile water injections (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh only) | |||
| Medicated types | Gas and air | Gas and air | Gas and air | |
| Opiate injection | Opiate injection | |||
| Epidural/spinal anaesthetic |
More information about the different types of pain relief available to you at NHS Lothian can be found on our Pain Relief Options page.
