As B-Day approaches, one thing preying on your mind will be how you'll manage the pain.'There are no Brownie points for bravery,' says consultant midwife Annette Briley. 'If you need pain relief, don't be afraid to ask. There are many different

an alternative. Some NHS hospitals, such as The Whittington Hospital in North London, even offer acupuncture as part of the suite of pain relief methods available to labouring women.Acupuncture at The Whittington is used to reduce pain, anxiety and vomiting

EpiduralAn anaesthetic that numbs you from the waist down.Advantages:It gives you total pain relief and it can also be topped up.Disadvantages:You can't move about and you might not be able to feel when it's time to push.It helps to know

time.Self-hypnosisWhat is it? - Reduces your awareness of labour pain. It provides a safe, drug-free, gentle and natural form of pain relief. Use a tape to help ease panic and fear. Why it's good - It has enabled many women to feel less panicked

. Here, we unravel some old wives' tales to help remove the fear factor about labour and pain relief.Epidurals make it impossible to push = FictionThis used to be true with the extra strong doses that were given years ago, but that's not the case any more

padsto fix several electrode pads on your back to help stimulate your nerve endings. It has three different programs, so you can adjust the settings depending on how much pain relief you need.Where can I get one?You can hire one from hospitals

a better idea of what to expect. ‘Read up as much as you can and get ideas about what you want, such as who to have as your birth partner and the pain relief you might like. It can also help to make a birth plan that your midwife can go through

An epidural is an effective form of pain relief, doesn't affect your baby and allows you to be awake throughout the birth - no wonder more and more women are choosing to have one.But earlier this year the Royal College of Midwives hit the headlines

the pain. PROS: It takes just 30 to 40 seconds to work. There are no side effects for the baby. You're in control and can stop at any time. If gas and air isn't enough pain relief, you can try other options. CONS: It's only a mild painkiller to help take

MIDWIFE NIKKI SAYS:It's common to worry about how you're going to cope with pain during labour. There are various forms of pain relief available, but an epidural is one that needs to be given by an anaesthetist in hospital. There are certain