What types of drugs are used for pain relief?
Your health care provider will try to provide maximum pain relief for you without hurting the baby. Narcotics (such as Demerol and morphine) and sedatives (such as Phenergan) may be used during the first stage of labor to help you relax. Narcotics are usually injected into a vein (IV) or into a muscle. They affect the entire body. Narcotics do not cause a complete loss of feeling, but they do lessen the pain. Sedatives are usually injected into a muscle. They do not lessen the pain, but they can help you feel less tense or anxious. Regional anesthesia lessens or blocks completely the pain in a specific part of the body. It works like the shot a dentist gives to numb a tooth. The epidural block is a commonly used type of regional anesthesia. With either narcotic pain relief or regional anesthesia, you can stay awake and play an active role in the birth. General anesthesia is another form of pain relief. It relaxes your muscles, puts you to sleep, and prevents you from feeling pain. This
