Is an epidural the only way to get pain relief during labor?
No.Medication for pain relief can be given into your blood by injecting it through your IV.Medication given this way cannot block pain messages from reaching your brain like an epidural.It can only blunt the perception of pain in the brain.Therefore, it is not very effective in treating the pain of labor when compared to an epidural. There are also other disadvantages to getting pain medication in your blood.Pain medication given this way will make you drowsy.Pain medication given this way will also get to your baby and make your baby sleepy. So for all the reasons above it is preferable to get an epidural for pain relief during labor.