Some women feel pain during childbirth more strongly, others less so, but they should not be helpless against it. There are several ways you can ease or relieve labor pains, depending on your needs. Check what are the non-pharmacological remedies for labor pains.
Non-pharmacological treatments for labor painsare gaining in popularity, although few hospitals still use them. The woman in labor should be able to choose which help she wants to use - narcotic drugs or epidural anesthesia are not always necessary. However, if you have a low pain threshold or are surprised by the soreness of your contractions, don't hesitate to ask for an anesthetic. Its use is not a reason for shame or remorse, it does not mean that you have failed, you will be a worse mother, etc. You have the right to do so and use it whenever possible. Unfortunately, in many hospitals anesthesia is not available (it is also worth considering when choosing a delivery room). In an ideal hospital, the woman in labor should be able to choose from many options and not be confined to just one. Talk about it openly when looking at the wards before the birth.
Remedies for labor pains: massage
Touching with warm hands relaxes the muscles where tension accumulates. Therefore, it is worth asking your companion to massage your lumbosacral area (lower back) during the contractions. This massage consists of making large circles with the base of the hand, and then smaller circles - with the thumbs. The pressure and the pace of the massage must be adjusted to the needs of the woman being massaged - she often knows intuitively what kind of touch will help her. You can also ask the midwife for advice. And it's best to find a birthing school where they teach proper massage techniques and practice with a partner before giving birth.
Massage does help many women in labor, but there are also women who do not tolerate touching during labor - it is an individual matter. Remember that the hands you massage should be warm, it is also worth using an oil that will reduce friction against the skin, preventing it from injuring it.
Soothing water for labor pains
Already in many Polish hospitals, delivery rooms are equipped with bathtubs that can be entered during the first stage of labor. The possibility of immersing in the bathtub is a real boon - water relaxes tense muscles, relaxes, calms down and reduces the feeling of pain. PressureThe water affects the entire surface of the birthing body, relieving pain and increasing the secretion of endorphins. The water improves blood circulation and oxygenation of the muscles, placenta and baby. The water in the bathtub should be at body temperature or slightly lower (34-37ºC) - too warm can be dangerous. You will be able to enter it when the cervix is 4-5 cm dilated. The bath should not last longer than 30 minutes. Interestingly, not only can water significantly reduce the perception of pain, but also accelerate the progress of labor. If the hospital where you are going to give birth does not have a bathtub, at least there should be a shower facility. Watering the abdomen and back with a stream of water can also bring relief and it will definitely improve blood circulation.
Other remedies for labor pain
- Breathing techniques . Breathing in the right way can, according to some experts, reduce the pain. Rather, others say that focusing the nascent attention on her breathing distracts her from unpleasant sensations. Certainly, it is not always effective and many women say that it did not get them anything, but there are also some who have a different opinion. Breathing techniques should be practiced earlier, they are taught in the birthing school. And if you haven't mastered this art, breathe as your midwife advises during labor.
- Wraps . Alternate warm and cold compresses - apply them to the bottom of the abdomen, sacrum area and perineum. You can use heated towels, an electric blanket, gel compresses, ice bags.
- Make noises . Clenching your lips tightens your entire body, which increases the perception of pain. On the other hand, opening the mouth and making sounds (screaming, groaning, grunting) relieves tension, relaxes the muscles of the perineum and gives energy.
- Music therapy . Listening to music, soothing or just your favorite music, helps to relax, calm down, and improve your mood. So let's take the player and CDs with your favorite recordings or relaxing music with you. Even if it doesn't reduce the pain, it will create a good climate, which also matters.
- Aromatherapy . You might not believe that smell can reduce pain, but in a US survey, over 60 percent the women in labor admitted that it helped them! Aromatherapy is also used in Poland, e.g. in a hospital in Tychy. If you are enthusiastic about such alternative methods, bring some relaxing incense or essential oil (geranium, lavender, rosewood) to the hospital. You can use the oil for inhalation by pouring it into an aromatherapy fireplace or by adding a few drops to the bathtub. Among the alternative mitigation methodsIn labor pain, acupuncture and hypnosis are also mentioned. However, these methods are neither widely available nor possible in a hospital setting. If you are going to give birth at home or in a private hospital that accepts it, you can of course hire an appropriate specialist. But remember that it has to be a proven person with unquestionable abilities. Even so, you have to reckon with the fact that it may be perceived as quirks and frills.
Note: All of the treatments listed so far are medication-free. However, when the pain is unbearable, you can ask for an anesthetic. Currently, in Poland, labor pain is anesthetized in two ways: by giving an injection or by using epidural anesthesia.
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