Reducing pain and enhancing progress in labor: a guide to nonpharmacologic methods for maternity caregivers

Many simple, effective, low-cost methods to relieve labor pain can be initiated by nurses, midwives, or physicians with the potential benefits of improved labor progress, reduction in use of riskier medications, patient satisfaction, and lower costs. These nonpharmacologic methods are categorized by the mechanisms through which they reduce pain or improve labor progress: diminishing the painful stimulus at the source; providing alternate stimuli to inhibit pain awareness; and reducing the woman's negative reaction to the pain. This is a review of numerous pain relief techniques and a guide for maternity caregivers.