Dealing With Labor Pain

Posted on February 22, 2008
Filed Under Child Birth |

Most women are apprehensive about how they will handle labor pain. If this is your first baby it’s very hard to imagine what it will be like. The subject of labor pain and pain relief can be highly emotional. You may want to avoid all possible medical pain relief, and with support some women find they do manage, but many more need help.It is difficult to make a plan about how you want to handle your pain until you are having it. Every woman experiences pain differently, and you can’t predict how you are going to cope with labor pain. If you start out wanting to avoid pain medication during labor and end up using pain relief, don’t feel guilty or disappointed in your self. You would never choose to have your appendix reproved without anesthesia, and this does not make you weak or a failure. Vaginal delivery is a very natural accomplishment regardless of the pain control you choose.

At the same time, it is equally unfair for your care team to assume that you will eventually decide on epidural analgesia and refuse to support you through unmediated labor. You need to be prepared to stand up for your self and your freedom to make an individual and guilt free choice.

Choosing Unmedicated Labor

If you feel strongly about avoiding medication during labor, it is important to plan carefully. Look for care providers and doulas who discuss pain relief in labor by asking you how you would like to handle your pain. Try to avoid care providers whose intense personal beliefs make them inflexible and likely to impose their beliefs on you. The most important things to consider when you choose pain medication are the effectiveness of pain relief balanced against the side effects for you and your baby. for information on having an epidural and other ways of managing pain in labor. The most important factors in the success of your plan are your own knowledge base and the support of your care team. Learn as much as you can about different labor positions for early labor and for pushing. Finally, choose to deliver your baby in a hospital or birthing center that supports unmedicated labor.

During your tour ask specific questions about labor positions the use of baths or showers for relaxation and pain relief, and the availability of labor aids such as birthing balls. Think about bringing different kinds of music, and remember to pack some snacks to keep up your strength and remain hydrated.

Movement Breathing And Relaxation Techniques

During labor, try different positions to see what feels right to you. Move around if you can between contractions, when you have a contraction, lean on a bean bag or against your partner. Some omen find that circling their hips or getting in to another position helps. Repetitive movements during labor can also be helpful. You may want to try rocking movements, arm movements, and hand squeezing. Some women find music during labor soothing, while others find it distracting and annoying. Concentrate on breathing slowly and deeply, but don’t get over zealous about sticking to particular breathing patterns, which can lead to hyperventilation. Vocalizing with grunts, moaning, or swearing can help manage pain. Don’t let hospital personnel try to guilt you in to keeping quiet during unmedicated labor.

Massage

Your birth partner can massage your back between contractions, and you may find this relaxes you. You might want to bring aromatherapy oils with you, if you find them soothing.

Water

Using a warm bath or shower during early labor is safe and does not increase the chances that you will develop an infection, whether or not your bag of water (amnioticsac) is already leaking. Bathing is relaxing, and increases satisfaction and a feeling of well being. Warm baths generally keep pain from getting worse for awhile (about half an hour in one study), but may not make much difference after this. There fore, bathing may have a short-term effect in decreasing labor pain and can be helpful in early labor, promoting relaxation between uterine contractions. Women who want a higher level of pain control may find bathing is only a temporary aid.

Support In Labor

Having good support during labor can make a difference in how well you manage to deal with labor pain. For example, some research suggests that using a doula as the primary labor coach (instead of a friend or partner) decreases the likelihood of having an epidural for pain relief or needing a cesarean delivery. A doula is an individual who is trained to help support or coach you during your labor or to support you after your baby is born.

Doulas vary widely in their levels of experience, their philosophies and their training. In some cases, doula services can be costly. If you want to use a doula, find one who is knowledgeable and flexible, and with whom you are personally comfortable. Since labor is an intense and intimate time, if you choose a doula you will want to spend some time and effort checking on qualifications and making sure that you are compatible. Rates charged by doulas vary widely.


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