About Our Service
The Department of Perioperative Medicine provides comprehensive care and pain relief management to women during pregnancy, labour and birth. We’re the only hospital in Ireland to offer a ‘mobile’ epidural, introduced in 2024 after listening to our patients who wanted effective pain relief while staying active and mobile during labour and birth.
There are also lots of non-pharmacological pain relief options to include our Winner Flow Breathing Device and Birthing Pool.
Everyone’s pain relief needs are different, so our team will discuss the available options with you, and help you decide what is most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Pharmacological Pain Relief
Entonox
Entonox is an equal mixture of two gases (nitrous oxide and oxygen) and is commonly referred to as 'gas and air'. It is widely used for helping women to cope with labour.
Pethidine
Pethidine is a pain relieving drug which is given by intra-muscular injection.
Remifentanil Patient Controlled Anaesthesia (PCA)
Remifentanil is a morphine type pain-relieving drug, which acts very quickly, and is broken down rapidly by the body. This is given through a vein by a pump, which you can control yourself by pressing a hand-held switch.
Epidural
An epidural is given by an anaesthetist. This is the most popular form of pain relief and involves injecting a small amount of anaesthetic outside the spinal cord. A very fine, soft, plastic catheter is placed through the needle. Top-up drugs can be given through this as you need them. A pump filled with anaesthetic drugs can be connected to the epidural catheter, which can be activated by a hand-held switch.
In 2024, we became the first hospital in Ireland to offer a ‘mobile’ epidural. This option offers effective pain relief whilst allowing you to stay active and mobile during labour and birth.
Mobile Epidural
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A mobile epidural is a modern epidural technique that uses lower concentrations of local anaesthetic. It provides excellent pain relief while preserving muscle strength, allowing many women to move more freely than with standard epidural.
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Excellent pain relief during labour
Better preservation of leg strength
Greater freedom to change positions & move around during labour
May help you feel more in control of your labour
Avoids the need for a bladder catheter
Can still be topped up & used for assisted birth/caesarean birth if that is required
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Most woman requesting an epidural are suitable for a mobile epidural. Everyone’s pain relief needs are different, so our team will discuss the available options with you, and help you decide what is most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
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Yes. It provides the same high quality pain relief while aiming to minimise leg weakness by using lower dose medication.
Non-Pharmacological Pain Relief Options
Winner Flow Breathing Device
The Winner Flow is a hand-held device designed to support focused, controlled breathing during contractions by providing gentle resistance as you breathe out. This helps to regulate your breathing pattern and encourage steady, rhythmic breaths. It’s simple to use, non-invasive and can be used while moving around or in different labour positions.
The Winner Flow offers a medication free option and can be used by itself or alongside other pain relief options as your labour progresses.
It’s also an environmentally friendly choice, helping reduce reliance on Entonox (gas and air).
Our Birthing Pool
The use of water for labour and birth can be traced back to ancient times. At The Coombe, we offer a dedicated birthing pool suite to support women who wish to use water to aid relaxation, and as an alternative option for pain relief.
In this video we discuss how we use the birthing pool at The Coombe, along with answering some of your most frequently asked questions!
TENS Machine
This is a popular form of pain relief during labour. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an application of painless electrical impulses through surface electrodes placed on the skin. TENS machines are available for hire or purchase from Medicare Rental & Sales (01 2014900 or www.medicare.ie.
Patient Experience
Every patient’s path to diagnosis and treatment is individual. No matter your specific journey, we believe in empowering you to take an active role in your healthcare.
Departments & Services
Help & Support
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Appointments:
All appointments can be directed through Hospital reception: 01 408 5200, 24 hours a day -
Health Insurance:
We operate a direct payment scheme with VHI, Laya Healthcare, Irish Life Health, Garda Medical Aid, ESB, Medical Provident Fund, and Prison Officers Medical Aid. If you are covered by any of these insurers, the relevant insurance forms are signed electronically on your admission to hospital.
Fees:
For more information on Fees - visit our Hospital Charges page -
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The Resource Page:
Browse our collection of patient resources, brochures, and information leaflets—all in one place. Downloadable and easy to access, these documents cover everything from appointments and procedures to maternity, newborn care, and more.
Contact Us
Tel: 01 408 5200
Find Us
The Coombe Hospital
Switchboard:
Location:
Cork St, Dublin, D08 XW7X