An indispensable guide for parents looking for reliable information about birth pain relief options and common interventions in labour. Do you feel overwhelmed by what pain relief options are available for labour?Are you confused by the effects drugs will have on you and your baby?Do you want reliable information about what happens during birth interventions? Most pregnant mums plan for a natural birth, however in the UK over 50% of births include some form of drugs for pain relief, or an intervention to help the baby be born (and in the US this figure is even higher). This book will enable you make empowered and informed decisions in your late pregnancy, and before, during and after childbirth. It has been carefully researched to include the most up-to-date pain relief options, like gas & air, pethidine and epidural, and details common interventions carried out, such as induction of labour, assisted delivery (forceps or ventouse) and caesarean birth. The easy-to-understand descriptions and diagrams of the different stages of labour will help you recognise what is happening in your body. This gives you a framework to understand the context in which pain relief is offered, and at what stage interventions could occur. Each chapter is crafted around the BRAIN acronym (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Implications, Nothing) so that you can understand fully the pros and cons of every type of medical pain relief available, and what you can do to minimise complications. There are also 35 real birth stories from mums who have experienced pain relief and interventions to help you get a real idea about what it is like to have a medical birth. Eleanor Hayes has worked with hundreds of pregnant mums and their birth partners through her business Birthzang, offering antenatal Active Birth preparation workshops, and prenatal yoga classes. She has experienced two births, both of which included various levels of pain relief and interventions, and is passionate to share her insight and research to help you make the best choices for your labour and birth. After reading this book, you and your birth partner will have a deep understanding of all the choices available to you, so that you can enter your labour and birthing journey feeling confident and able to understand what is going on in labour. Crush your fear of labour and birth, and ensure your birth is a positive and empowered one! Written in an informative, readable style, this book is fully referenced, with a detailed index so it can be used as a handy reference guide to look up information during labour. An essential item to include in your hospital bag packing list!