In the case of pregnancy, it can help the pregnant individual to detect any danger to the child, as well as adjusting to an optimal position for childbirth.

As labour pain is part of a natural process, the experience is unique and hard to describe for many pregnant individuals.

Many women find that improving their environment and adopting a positive mindset towards childbirth significantly reduces the need for pain medication, contrary to the belief that natural methods benefit only a select few.

Such an approach implies that with the proper support and outlook, the majority of women can manage labour pain effectively without defaulting to medical interventions.

This perspective not only challenges the notion that medication is frequently necessary but also highlights the power of natural pain management strategies in creating a positive and empowering childbirth experience.

Women who have negative expectations for the process of delivery are more likely to experience increased perceptions of pain, due to the effects of nocebo hyperalgesia.

[3] Labor pain is commonly thought to occur due to the stretching of the cervix and contraction of the uterine muscle.

It was also found that stretch receptors in the cervix also disappear at the onset of labour, meaning that no sensation would be felt in that region either (Tingåker & Irestedt, 2010).

[5] Prior to the 20th century, childbirth predominantly happened in the home, without access to any medical interventions for pain management.

[6] Childbirth was a leading cause of death for women, and many were fearful of the process, creating a large desire for pain management.

[8][9] Anesthesia's use was popularized in 1853 by Queen Victoria's decision to use chloroform for pain relief during the birth of her eighth child.

[8] In the early 20th century, a drug-induced state known as "twilight sleep" was developed by Carl Gauss and Bernhardt Kronig, two doctors in Freiburg, Germany.

Positive context and associations with childbirth can help women perceive labour as a rewarding experience, which may reduce the amount of pain felt.

[1] On the other hand, interactions with friends and family can also create negative expectations for childbirth, which increases future labour pain.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has expressed concerns about delivering in water because of a lack of studies showing its safety and because of the rare but reported chance of complications.

These medications may cause unwanted side effects like drowsiness, itching, nausea, or vomiting to the laboring mother.

All opioids can cross the placenta and may poorly affect the baby by causing problems with heart rate, breathing, or brain function.

[19] They can be beneficial in early labor, however, since they can help dull pain, but do not impair the mother's ability to move or push.

[19] There are many things to consider when deciding to use opioids during a delivery and these options, as well as the risks and benefits, should be discussed early in the first stage of labor with a trained medical professional.

[20] An epidural is a procedure that involves placing a tube (catheter) into the lower back, into a small space below the spinal cord.

With a pudendal block, there is some pain relief but the laboring woman remains awake, alert, and able to push the baby out.

The use of inhaled analgesia is commonly used in the UK, Finland, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, and is gaining in popularity in the United States.

Some mothers may experience some dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or drowsiness, however, since dosing is determined by the patient, once these symptoms begin she can limit her use.

[26] Genetic research has also tied pain experienced during labour to potassium voltage regulation in neurons, suggesting the potential for specific medication targeting these nociceptive receptors.