Comfort Menu & Pain Control

When Mary Greeley Medical Center wanted to better meet the needs of people in labor, we talked to patients like you. That's how we created the Birthways Comfort Menu, an extensive list of services to enhance your well-being and relieve stress. We also offer a wide range of options to help ease contractions and manage pain.

Putting You First

Expect Birthways to respect your goals, preferences, and values when it comes to your birthing experience. When you're creating your birth plan or you arrive at your labor and delivery suite, select options from our comfort menu that work best for you. Our staff will honor your requests as much as possible while keeping you safe.

What's on the Comfort Menu?

Your comfort menu is available in your Birthways room. Tell your nurse which items you'd like to try.

For Your Comfort

You can ask for:

Cold or warm pack
Extra pillow
Fan
Lotion or lip balm
Non-skid socks
Snacks
Warm blanket
Warm or cool washcloth

Personal Care Items

We can provide:

Comb or hairbrush
Deodorant
Lotion
Nail file
Shaver
Shampoo or conditioner
Toothbrush or toothpaste

Comfort Actions

Based on what feels right to you and where you are in the birthing process, pick activities such as:

Dancing slowly
Gentle stretching
Showering
Walking in the hall
Taking a whirlpool bath
Sitting on a birthing ball or peanut ball to lessen pelvic area-discomfort and gently open the hips, making delivery easier

Relaxation Services

Let us make your environment and experience as soothing as possible. You can request:

Aromatherapy
Chaplain visit for spiritual support
Lights out, door closed, or window shade pulled down
Guided breathing exercises
Massage therapy
Music therapy
Quiet, uninterrupted time with your nurse

Pain Relief Options

Talk to your Birthways healthcare team about:

Your goals for your labor and delivery experience, including preference for a medicated or non-medicated birth
Any known allergies
Your current medications

Count on us to explain your options and the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of different drugs. Our pain management providers are available 24/7. We offer:

Epidural, which uses anesthesia to numb the lower half of your body without causing you to lose alertness
IV (intravenous) pain medicine
Pain medicine you take orally (by mouth)
Nitrous oxide (inhale via mask or mouthpiece)

Birthways nurse assisting a patient using a mask to inhale nitrous oxide.

Birthways at Mary Greeley Now Offers Nitrous Oxide

Mary Greeley Medical Center’s Birthways unit has introduced nitrous oxide as a comfort care option for in-labor patients. This FDA-cleared analgesic combines 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen to effectively ease pain and anxiety, helping patients cope during labor.

Key Benefits:

Self-Administration: Patients can inhale and exhale nitrous oxide through a mouthpiece or mask, allowing them to control their pain relief without losing mobility or decision-making abilities.
Quick Action: Relief typically begins within 35 seconds and wears off within 2 minutes after use stops.
Flexible Pain Management: Nitrous oxide users can switch to other pain relief methods, such as local anesthesia, injectable opioids, or epidurals, without reducing their options.
No Anesthesiologist Required: Unlike epidurals, nitrous oxide does not require specialized anesthesia care.

Interested in nitrous oxide for labor? Discuss the pros and cons with your provider upon admission to the Birthways unit. Our admitting nurses will provide information on all available comfort care options.