Pain Relief in Labor - what are my options?

Letter of the week:  Dear Karen and Charlene,  I have just finished your course - and I loved it by the way, but I have a few questions about pain relief.  I have been thinking about about how labour will be - and if i will cope. I have heard that epidurals are amazing for pain relief - but have also heard that they can have an adverse effect on the baby. Is this true? What options do i have for pain relief - and should i opt for an epidural?  From the course I learnt about having a doula present to help with natural forms of pain relief. How do they compare to the big guns of epidural and pethedine? What other options do I have?  I think i have a high pain threshhold, but my husband thinks I will be begging for an epidural from the get go. I am hoping to prove him wrong - but I also have no idea what to expect.  Thanks for your help - and for the course, I learnt so much!  Elle in Cape Town. If you want your query addressed in our podcast email [email protected] or [email protected] Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here  More about Karen here Get your FREE pregnancy journal here