Pain Management for Obstetric Patient

Pain Management for Obstetric patient
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PART 1
Introduction
People respond to pain differently depending on different circumstances. This depends on several factors, for example, fear of the unknown, previous experience with similar situation, cultural backgrounds and even fatigue. Women in labor have to automatically experience pain during delivery. Labor comes with pain experienced at different stages depending on individuals attitude and preparedness. However, pain can be managed using various measures that include pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways. The two methods vary; therefore, one can choose the method that suits her situation. To have a clear understand of the nature of pain during pregnancy one needs to understand the source of pain itself (Kent, K et al., 2003). The paper highlights different ways of managing pain especially for intrapartum patients looking at the benefits of such measures and the risk related to each method identified. The paper also illustrates several factors that need to be considered when coming up with a plan to teach expectant women who needs special attention.
Sources of Pain for the Antepartum Patient
The period before birth is referred to as anterartum; this is the time which women experience labor pains, but at a minimal level. It should not cause any worries especially for those without complications. The source of pain at this point can be related to pregnancy or not related to pregnancy. In relation to pregnancy, the stretching of ligaments that are attached to the uterus normally makes pregnant women feel uncomfortable causing pain in the lower abdomen. Women can also experience backache at times due to the expansion of the pelvic. When women start experiencing labor, the pelvic becomes lenient causing backaches. At times a wrong posture can contribute to backaches especially if the abdomen is pushed outwards because it enlarges (Graham, Davis, Semelka &, Fielding, 2012).
Sources of Pain for the Intrapartum Patient
The main source of pain during intrapartum period is due to contraction of the uterine walls. This is an indication that the baby is almost being delivered. During this time, the levels of pain are high because of several factors including fear, anxiety and age. Most women develop fear during labor because of uncertainty; they are not sure what to expect during this process. During labor, the opening of the cervix and uterine walls to provide way for the fetus causes a lot of pain in women. When the fetus move towards the pelvic there are pressure in the areas surrounding the pelvic, these are some areas which do not normally experience pain. Therefore, when subjected to pressure, it results to pain that the women experience before delivery. Before the fetus comes out, the vagina also experience pain because it has to stretch to enable the fetus have space for passing through (Graham et al., 2012).
Sources of Pain for the Postpartum Patient
Immediately after giving birth, women feel some relief as the body tries to adjust to the normal ways of functioning again. This might cause some painful experience because the whole body expanded, therefore, after giving birth it automatically shrinks back especially the uterus. It is a process that takes several days, but with minimal pains being experience as compared to the pain experienced during the labor. Furthermore, after delivery the first bowel movement is accompanied by some painful experience because of the sore muscles and the sensitive hemorrhoids. This type of pain becomes agonizing as it prevents them from sitting down properly (Graham et al., 2012).
Intrapartum Patient Pain Management Measures
After giving birth some women might not know how best to cope with the past stressful situation experienced when giving birth. Women also experience several other psychological problems in relation to the pains during and after giving birth. Intrapartum patients may experience some hyperventilation, respiratory acidosis or blood pressure owing to increased cardiac movements. These problems are dangerous especially for women with history of blood pressure. Such experiences take time before the mother can overcome the pain. The patient’s relationship might eventually be affected due to her mental status. Women are advised to take appropriate measures in order to manage some of the long-term effects caused by pain during and after delivery. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management measures are the two common types of managing labor pains with each of them having some benefits and risks associated with their usage (Lehman et al., 2003).
Pharmacologic Pain Management Measure
Using certain medicines to either reduce the intensity of pain or eliminated pain related to childbirth is referred to as pharmacological measure of managing pain. Analgesia and anesthesia are some of the medication that helps relieves pain. Anesthesia is commonly used during the onset of labour. Anesthesia is effective because it prevents the pain from reaching the brain by interrupting the impulses that runs to the brain. In addition, anesthesia is administered depending on the condition of patients during the onset of labor. The regional blocks are some of the common anesthesia used as they block the pain from reaching the vulva, rectal and the perineum parts during the delivery process .Epidural block also suspends all the feelings that might be experienced starting from the thighs to umbilical code areas. The other form of anesthesia is the general anesthesia that is not commonly administered unless an emergency occurs. By using these types of pharmacological measures, the patient will not feel all the pain experienced before and after delivery (Lehman et al, 2003).
Non-Pharmacological Pain Management Measures
Non pharmacological pain management entails measures used to reduce fear and anxiety that are common during delivery. Women experience anxious moments and are in constant fear of the delivery process due to the intense of pain. Some of the non pharmacological interventions include breathing in specified patterns...