Evidence-Based Pain Relief Options for Hospital Birth
Pain is one of the biggest unknowns for first-time parents planning a hospital birth.
And because hospitals offer many options, it’s easy to feel like you’re supposed to choose the “right” one ahead of time.
Here’s the truth I share with my clients:
There is no single best way to cope with labor pain—only what is informed, supported, and right for you in the moment.
Understanding your options ahead of time gives you flexibility, confidence, and the ability to make decisions without pressure.
Pain vs. Suffering: An Important Distinction
Pain in labor is real. It’s intense, physical work.
Suffering, however, is not inevitable.
Suffering often comes from:
Fear of what’s happening
Feeling rushed or unheard
Not understanding your options
Lacking continuous support
Fear of being judged for how you cope
Evidence consistently shows that people cope better with labor when they feel safe, informed, and supported—regardless of whether they use medication.
Medical Pain Relief Options in the Hospital
Hospitals provide effective medical pain relief, and for many parents, these options are an important part of a positive birth experience.
Epidurals
An epidural can provide significant pain relief during labor and is commonly used in hospital births.
Evidence shows epidurals:
Are effective at reducing pain
Can allow rest during long labors
May limit movement and position changes
Require continuous monitoring
Some parents love their epidural experience. Others prefer to delay or avoid one. Both are valid choices.
IV Pain Medications
IV medications can take the edge off contractions and may be used earlier in labor.
They:
Provide temporary relief
Can cause drowsiness or nausea
May affect the baby depending on timing
Knowing the benefits and trade-offs helps you decide when—or if—these options fit your needs.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas can also take the edge off contractions by softening your response to the pain. It works quickly and wears off quickly while it provides temporary relief as long as you are breathing in and out of the mask. It doesn’t take the contraction pain away, but relaxes your response to it to help ease the fear, tension, pain cycle.
Evidence-Based Non-Medicated Pain Relief Options
Non-medicated coping strategies aren’t “alternative”—they’re supported by strong evidence, especially when used with continuous support.
Movement and Positioning
Upright positions, walking, side-lying, and hands-and-knees positions can:
Reduce pain perception
Help labor progress
Increase comfort and control
Breathing and Focus
Intentional breathing, vocalization, and visualization help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress hormones that intensify pain.
Touch and Counterpressure
Hands-on support, hip squeezes, massage, and steady touch are shown to improve comfort and coping.
Hydrotherapy
Warm showers or tubs can significantly reduce pain and tension during labor when available.
Continuous Labor Support
Research consistently shows that continuous support—like that provided by a doula—leads to:
Lower use of pain medication
Fewer interventions
Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
This doesn’t mean medication won’t be used. It means parents feel more capable and supported regardless of what they choose.
Combining Options Is Common—and Smart
Many hospital births include a combination of approaches.
Parents may:
Use movement and breathing in early in labor
Add IV medication or nitrous oxide later
Choose an epidural after hours of labor
Use comfort measures even after an epidural is placed
Flexibility is not failure. It’s responsiveness.
Choosing What Fits You
The most important question isn’t:
“Will I use medication?”
It’s:
“What will help me feel safe, supported, and confident during labor?”
Pain relief decisions are deeply personal and can change as labor unfolds. Preparation allows you to make those decisions from a grounded place—not fear or pressure.
Support Makes a Measurable Difference
If you’re planning a hospital birth in Arvada or the surrounding Denver-area communities, understanding your pain relief options—and having continuous, evidence-based support—can dramatically change how labor feels.
My role as a doula is to help you:
Understand your options clearly
Cope through intense moments
Navigate decisions as they arise
Feel supported no matter how your birth unfolds
