There are many things you and your partner can to do to make your labour more comfortable. Being able to relax, or at least release tension in your body, is the key to managing your pain and increasing your sense of control during labour.
What they can do is help you manage the pain to keep it at a level where you can continue without medication. To use them effectively, you need to know what they are and how to best apply them to labor.
Practicing relaxation techniques will help you in labour. Stress hormones can make your labour longer, and tense muscles can cause more pain. Releasing tension is the key to managing your pain and your sense of control during labour. Learn and practice relaxation skills and routines on your own and with your partner.
Types of Comfort Measures
Labor Tools: A tool is something outside your body to achieve a goal or complete a task. Regardless of where you give birth, there are some tools you may find useful for maintaining comfort. These tools are inexpensive, and most are easily obtained and travel well.
Practice using these tools so you know what to expect and have a feel for which ones you like the best before labor begins. During the labor, what you prefer may change as the baby's position and your energy level change. Having a variety of tools available increases your chances of giving birth naturally.
Once you have selected the tools you would like to use in labor, gather them together in a small bag so they will be easily accessible for use. Be sure to try them out with your labor partners before labor begins. This will ensure both you and your support know how to use them and how your body reacts to it.
Labor Positions: When it comes to positions in labor, more is better. Changing your position can help align your baby properly, speeding the labor process. Some positions can help reduce specific types of pressure or pain, so be willing to use whichever are necessary when labor begins. Being familiar with how the positions feel before labor begins is helpful, so take some time to try them out and decide which ones are most comfortable to you.
During the labor, what you prefer may change as the baby's position and your energy level change. A position that wasn't comfortable a few hours ago may be perfect now. Stay flexible and choose positions for comfort and effectiveness in labor.
Techniques: A comfort technique is something you or a labor support person does to improve your comfort in labor. It could inlcude a type of massage or touch, a type of relaxation skill or even a visualization script. Comfort techniques may work to keep you relaxed during labor, or can be used to achieve time specific goals, such as encouraging a baby to more or relieving a back ache.
Herbs for Labor: Some women prefer to use natural and herbal remedies during labor either before or in place of the standard pharmaceuticals. There are a wide variety of herbs that can be used in labor, and this list in no way attempts to cover them all. Instead, the following pages list some of the most common remedies.
It is important to remember that natural does not automatically mean safe. Herbal and natural remedies can have profound effects on your health and your labor. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the potential side effects of any natural remedy before using it. Also, be sure your midwife is aware you are or intend to use a natural remedy. This allows her to make any adjustments in care that may be necessary to avoid chemical interactions.
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