Working with labour pain You may be coming to the end of your pregnancy and beginning to think about when you go into labour and how you will cope with labour pain. How you deal with labour pain can influence your birth experience, so this leaflet aims to help you make choices when the time comes.
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Working with labour pain
You may be coming to the end of your pregnancy and beginning to think about when
you go into labour and how you will cope with labour pain. How you deal with labour
pain can influence your birth experience, so this leaflet aims to help you make choices
when the time comes.
why is labour painful?
Pain is an important part of having a baby. It helps you to know labour
has begun so that you can find a ‘safe’‛ place to give birth. Pain also
gives you information about how your labour is progressing so that you
can feel in control of your labour/birth experience. The pain you will
experience during labour and birth is special because it is one of the
only times in your life when feeling pain means that your body is working
effectively. The natural pain-killers your body makes help you and your
baby prepare for life after birth.
However, as the pain of labour and birth can be difficult and tiring, this
leaflet aims to provide you with information on ways you can work with
this pain and make use of your body’s own coping mechanisms. Pain
relief during the experience of childbirth should be YOUR choice,
whether or not you decide to have it, or which method you would like to
try.
Your midwife is there to help you give birth safely and to offer support.
She will aim to stay with you for the majority of your labour, to provide
help and encouragement.
Having a positive approach to labour will help you to feel in control of the natural
process of childbirth. Labour pain is a ‘positive pain’, so as each contraction passes,
try to imagine being another step nearer to that special moment when your baby
arrives. Feel strong by focusing upon the body’s natural ability to give birth. Breathing
techniques, visualisation (closing your eyes and picturing a pleasant scene or image)
working with the pain and listening to calming music will help you to feel relaxed and
stay in control.
positive thinking
Good support is vital when you are giving birth; it may even help ease labour pain.
Research has shown that with good support during labour women stay more
relaxed, making childbirth a much more positive experience. Good support may
mean you can stay at home longer, and reduce the need for pain relieving drugs.
WHO CAN SUPPORT ME?
Most women want to be supported by someone they know, usually it‛s their partner,
mum, sister, friend, or doula. Birth partners can help by rubbing your back, holding
your hand, breathing with you, getting you a drink, or helping you to change position.
Just someone being there is enough for some women. Support may also be
emotional encouragement and understanding or a combination of both. It is
important that both you and your birth partner talk about what you want from your
birth experience.
support
Although many women think that they should be lying on a bed while
they are in labour, research shows that a more upright position is
probably better. You can do this by walking around, using a birthing
ball, squatting, kneeling or sitting upright. Ask your midwife for a
birthing ball, though you may have to use you own.
‘All fours’ is a good position for relieving pressure and pain from your
back. You can get in this position by using mats on the floor, or by
kneeling over the back of your delivery bed. Remaining upright and
mobile during the first stage of labour can reduce the need for pain
relieving drugs and shorten labour. Movement will help, so walk
around the house or around the room if you’re in hospital. During the
pushing stage of labour upright positions encourage your pelvis to
open wider, allowing your baby to move down the birth canal more
easily and quickly. Lying on your back can intensify the pain and
reduce the flow of oxygen to your baby, so when possible remain in an
upright position and ask for support from a partner or your midwife to
help you get comfortable.
Remember!
Labour pain means your body is healthy and working properly!
what position should i be in?
Remember!
Try and make yourself comfortable and try to remain in control, as staying positive makes
you feel more relaxed. An upright position, and/or using a rocking chair may help your
labour to progress. Lying on the bed throughout your labour intensifies the pain, and may
slow down your labour.
Although lying on the bed throughout your labour intensifies the pain, and may slow
your labour, women find lying down useful at some stages. If you feel tired and you
want to lie down, it is better to lie on your side rather than flat on your back.
Most importantly listen to your body, try to adopt positions that encourage the
contractions rather than trying to make them go away.
rest when you want to!
hot or cold remedies and massage
It has long been known that the use of heat and cold can relax tense muscles. Cold is
particularly good for low back pain, which is common in labour. Hot compresses on
the back, lower abdomen, groin or perineum are good muscle relaxants and a warm
shower, or being wrapped in a warm blanket, can also help.
Research has found that massage and touch are helpful not only for pain relief but
also to make you feel better. Massage and touch improve your comfort level and
ability to cope with the pain. You and your birthing partner can practise before labour
begins so that when you start to have contractions you know exactly what to do. Your
midwife will show you what to do if you ask her.
A warm bath or shower can help relax your body and ease your labour pain. It can also
make your labour shorter. Water can give you the feeling of ’being in control’; something
a lot of women say is important to them. The water will support your body and let you
change your position more easily. Research has shown that using water to relieve your
pain reduces the need for drugs and the need for an assisted birth, such as forceps or
ventouse. It also helps soften the perineum.
Whilst you are having a warm bath it is an ideal opportunity for your birth partner to give
you a massage.
Birthing pools, when available, can be used for labour and you can stay in the pool for
the birth of your baby if you want to. Ask your midwife for more details!
using water
aromatherapyAromatherapy is the use of natural plant extracts which create a feeling of well being,
relieving anxiety and fear. Aromatic oils can be used through massage, inhalation or
compression, and have been linked with a reduction in the need for other, more intrusive
methods of pain relief.
Some aromatherapy oils are not suitable for use in pregnancy, and a qualified therapist must
always be contacted when considering this method for pain management. If you are
considering aromatherapy, you must discuss this with your midwife.
hypnotherapy
Is a way of preparing for childbirth through using relaxation techniques, such as breathing
and visualisation exercises. You may attend sessions with a specially trained Hypnobirthing
Natal Therapy practitioner, or you can purchase DVDs and CDs which help you learn the
techniques for when labour begins. Ask your midwife for more details, or check out these