Just as every woman is different, every labor is different, too. You may find that what worked for your mother or a friend to help them during labor, may not work for you. But there are things that you can do to help reduce the stress of labor and improve your comfort.
Comfort measures that provide natural pain relief can be very effective during labor and childbirth. Birthing techniques such as hydrotherapy, hypnobirthing, patterned breathing, relaxation, and visualization can increase the production of endogenous endorphins that bind to receptors in the brain for pain relief.
Other methods of comfort therapy such as effleurage (light rhythmic stroking of the abdomen), massage, emptying the bladder, and hydrotherapy can provide pain relief and reduce the need for narcotic analgesia or anesthesia by naturally creating competing impulses in the central nervous system that can prevent the painful stimuli of labor contractions from reaching the brain.
During the last few months of pregnancy, earlier discomforts may become more noticeable or new ones may occur. This information may help you to be more comfortable, and sometimes safer, during this final phase of your pregnancy.
About video: Tips for using breathing, positioning, relaxation, and other comfort measures during labour.
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