Pain relief options available in Belgium
During labour and birth there are various ways to maximise your comfort, and ease the pain of contractions and the birth itself.
Here you can find out more about your pain relief options:
Natural pain relief techniques
Many of these techniques are based on the idea that staying calm can facilitate the flow of birth hormones – including oxytocin (the hormone that causes the uterus to contract) and endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) – making for a smoother, easier birth.
These techniques may include:
Breathing and relaxation - techniques can help you stay calm and ease tension in your body. This allows blood and oxygen to flow to your baby and the contracting uterus instead of your tense muscles. They also provide focus, helping you manage the pain of contractions and make the most of rest periods in between.
Massage – your birth partner can learn ways to relieve tension in your body, promote hormone release, and offer comfort and reassurance.
Positions for labour and birth – freedom of movement can bring great comfort during contractions, and movements such as rocking and swaying can even help labour progress.
Learning and practicing positions during pregnancy can help you identify positions that are comfortable for you, and lets you think in advance about how you want to use e.g. a birth ball, or birth sling, or how you can use things like chairs or furniture for support during contractions etc.
Labouring in water can bring comfort in labour. Most hospitals have baths which you can use during labour – although you will need to check with your hospital if you want to birth your baby in water. Read more about water birth in Belgium.
Having an independent midwife (in a support capacity), physiotherapist or doula at your birth can offer wonderful support for both the mother and her partner.
Physiotherapists and doulas in particular can offer a wealth of practical support in terms of positions, massage and breathing techniques.
A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine is a small device that provides pain relief by sending gentle electrical pulses to the muscles in your back. This helps block pain signals from your uterus during contractions. While it doesn't completely eliminate pain, it can help you manage contractions better. This method works best when used early in labour and is non-invasive, so it has no side effects for the you or your baby.
TENS machines are battery-operated, and usually come with a belt clip or neck, so do not limit your movement in labour. TENS machines can be rented from the BCT (if you are a BCT member), your mutuelle, your local pharmacy.
‘TENS’ machine
‘Gas and air’ – entonox, which is made up of half oxygen and half nitrous oxide, and administered via a mask/single-use mouthpiece – has a calming effect, and takes the edge off pain, rather than blocking it out completely. While entonox is most commonly administered using a mouthpiece, Brussels hospitals tend to have masks.
The advantages of gas and air are that you control when to use it, it is fast-acting and easy to use, it doesn’t stay in your system, and won’t directly interfere with your labour.
‘Gas and air’ is available in some Belgian hospitals but not all. Make sure to express your interest early on to discuss availability and ability of staff to support you in its use. It is not available for home birth.
Also, while entonox is most commonly administered using a mouthpiece, Brussels hospitals tend to have masks – best to specifically ask in advance of the birth if you are inquiring about using entonox with a mouthpiece.
‘Gas and air’ (entonox)
Epidural
Until mid-2015, epidural analgesia was the only kind of pharmacological pain relief available during labour, which may help explain its popularity – in 2016, 74% of labouring women in Belgium opted for an epidural, with some hospitals reporting rates of closer to 90%.
During an epidural, powerful pain-killing drugs are injected into your lower back using a hollow needle. A fine catheter is then passed through the needle, and this catheter is taped up your back and over your shoulder to allow the drugs to be topped up as necessary.
The pain relief from an epidural is very effective, and you shouldn’t be able to feel any pain.
Can I still move if I have an epidural?
How much you can still feel your legs will depend on the dose of drugs used and how long.
Questions about epidurals?
Many hospitals also organise special information sessions on epidurals, given by anaesthetists, where you can ask any questions you have.
Read more about the tests and checks you will be offered during pregnancy in a Belgium and your pain relief options for labour and birth click below: