What method of pain relief involves administering a local anesthetic to numb nerves?

The method of pain relief that involves administering a local anesthetic to numb nerves is the epidural. This technique is commonly used during labor and delivery to provide effective pain relief by blocking pain signals from the lower part of the body.

In an epidural procedure, a local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal cord. This numbing effect allows the expecting mother to remain conscious and active during childbirth while experiencing minimal pain from contractions.

The other options listed, such as the TENS machine, water birth, and CPR, serve different purposes. For instance, a TENS machine uses electrical impulses to alleviate pain but does not numb nerves in the same way an epidural does. Water birth involves laboring or delivering in water, which can provide comfort but doesn’t include the numbing effect of local anesthetics. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is entirely unrelated as it is a life-saving technique used in emergencies to restore breathing and circulation.