| Different methods of childbirth are:
a. Anesthesia – Two types of anesthetics are used to lessen the pain associated with childbirth. General anesthesia achieves its anesthetic effect by putting the woman to sleep by means of an injected barbiturate. Regional or local anesthetics deaden pain without putting the mother to sleep.
b. Hypnosis and Biofeedback – Hypnosis has been used with some success as an alternative to anesthesia during childbirth. Biofeedback is a method that provides the woman in labor with continuous information as to what is happening with various bodily functions. Muscle tension and blood pressure are among the functions that can be targeted.
c. Prepared childbirth – In the Lamaze method, or prepared childbirth, women engage in breathing and relaxation exercises that lessen fear and pain and distract them from discomfort. The mother-to-be attends Lamaze classes with a “coach”— most often, her partner—who will aid her in the delivery room by doing things such as massaging her, timing the contractions, offering social support, and coaching her in patterns of breathing and relaxation.
d. Cesarean sections – In a cesarean section (C-section), the physician delivers the baby by surgery. The physician cuts through the mother’s abdomen and uterus and physically removes the baby. Physicians prefer C-sections to vaginal delivery when they believe that normal delivery may threaten the mother or child or may be more difficult than desired.
Please see the section “Methods of Childbirth” for more details. | 
