Aches and pains are a normal part of pregnancy, the result of your body changing to make room for your growing baby. While managing pain without medication is ideal, medicine may be necessary for some pregnant women who have chronic pain or experience severe pain. In this program you'll learn about non-medication techniques to help alleviate pain and how to use pain medications safely.
A PCA or patient-controlled analgesia pump is one way to receive pain medication in the hospital. Your healthcare team will determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment, which allows you to push a button to receive medication directly into a vein when you experience pain. The pump is programmed so that you cannot give yourself too much.
There are medications that can provide relief to people who suffer from chronic pain. It's important to take these medications only as prescribed and to be aware of any possible side effects. It's also important to store potentially addictive opioid pain medications safely to avoid any accidental overdose.