Pharmacological versus Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Pharmacological versus Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Non-pharmacological pain relief measures entail the use of complementary and alternative therapies and support from a doula to manage pain during labor and childbirth. Complementary and alternative therapies use distraction to prevent the processing of pain sensations by the brain. They include massage, relaxation, acupressure, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, spirituality, meditation, and reflexology (Czech et al., 2018). A doula provides the laboring woman with emotional and physical support and relevant information. A doula can help speed the labor process and eliminate or reduce the need for pharmacological interventions.

Pharmacological interventions entail the use of medications to relieve pain during labor and childbirth. These interventions aim to minimize maternal and fetal side effects when providing pain relief (Çalik et al., 2018). Examples of medications used in pain relief are narcotic analgesics, nitrous oxide, local anaesthetics, general anaesthetics, and tranquillizers such as hydroxyzine hydrochloride. Local anaesthetics are commonly used to provide epidural anaesthesia. Epidural anaesthesia entails the injection of the anaesthetic in the epidural space to block spinal nerve roots and nerve fibers (Çalik et al., 2018). General anaesthetics are rarely used because they cause unconsciousness, increase the risk of hypoxia and inhaling vomitus. Opioid analgesics such as butorphanol tartrate can cause depression of the fetus’s Central Nervous System. Local anaesthetics such as bupivacaine can cause fetal bradycardia and death.

Nursing interventions during labor and birth that could be considered non-pharmacological: massage and advocating for the use of breathing techniques. Massage acts as a source of distraction (Perry et al., 2016). Furthermore, it helps to increase the release of endorphins, thereby providing pain relief. Breathing techniques act as a source of distraction. The woman’s attention is shifted to slow-paced breathing (Adelle, n.d.). This prevents focusing on the pain. By so doing, pain relief is achieved. Both nursing interventions provide pain relief by creating a distraction.

References.

Adelle, P. (n.d.). Maternal & Child Health Nursing: Care of the Childbearing & Childrearing Family (Maternal and Child Health Nursing) 6th Edition

attachment_1 (2). (n.d.).

Çalik, K. Y., Karabulutlu, Ö., & Yavuz, C. (2018). First do no harm – Interventions during labor and maternal satisfaction: A descriptive cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-2054-0

Czech, I., Fuchs, P., Fuchs, A., Lorek, M., Tobolska-Lorek, D., Drosdzol-Cop, A., & Sikora, J. (2018). Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of labor pain relief—establishment of effectiveness and comparison. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122792

Perry, A. E., Woodhouse, R., Neilson, M., St James, M. M., Glanville, J., Hewitt, C., & Trépel, D. (2016). Are non-pharmacological interventions effective in reducing drug use and criminality? A systematic and meta-analytical review with an economic appraisal of these interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13100966

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Pharmacological versus Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Instructions

Read Chapter 16  and post a discussion response and then two responses.

Initial Post

Discuss pharmacological versus non-pharmacological nursing interventions used for pain management during labor and birth. List two different classifications of drugs used for pain relief during labor and birth and include potential side effects of the drugs on the fetus. Also, describe two nursing interventions by the nurse to provide comfort during labor and birth that could be considered as non-pharmacological and the expected outcomes.