dealing with pain during labor?

[Anonymous]

Hi,
This is a question for more experienced moms. I am not very good at tolerating pain, but will at least TRY to have a natural birth. Is there anything in particular that helped you deal with pain during your past deliveries? I have a list of poses I could try, also have some arometherapy ready, breathing exercises, and some distractions (music, photos, etc. +husband & mom), but would appreciate any advice you can give.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[Anonymous]

For me, the contractions came in "waves" so if I could muster the strength to get through each wave I was ok. Of course, as I progressed, the "waves" were longer and more intense, but I still just imagined the peak of the wave and then the down turn and then finally "rest". Sorta like a cycle.
I just closed my eyes and rode it out. My DH was really supportive too.

I also just kept imagining the great reward at the end - our precious baby whom we've been so eagerly awaiting to finally meet and hold after all these months

Don't know if that helps or not. I have a fairly high threshold as I also came out strong and recovered well from major spinal surgery a few years back.

-natural childbirth "survivor"

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

For me, sitting on the birth ball (just a plain old exercise ball, really) helped some. And counter-pressure, when my doula and husband would stand me up and apply pressure on to the sides of my legs during a contraction.

[Anonymous]

Have you taken a childbirth class? Bradley Method, Hypnobirth and BirthWorks (and probably others) offer several different philosophies and suggestions for coping with the pain of labor (plus LOTS of other info about birth in any setting). Relaxation techniques are key. If you really want a natural, unmedicated birth, two suggestions are to (1) take a class that gives you lots of info about natural birth, including pain management; and (2) hire a doula. Having good support during labor is very helpful. Doulas can provide comfort measures (back massage & counterpressure) and suggest different positions to labor in which might help. Good luck! You CAN do it if you really want to and feel prepared!

[Anonymous]

Epidural.

It does not make you a better mother if you do it naturally.

[Anonymous]

The poster asked for tips to help her have a natural birth. I think she knows epidurals exist.

Another vote for Bradley method--it got me through a 36 hour labor!

[Anonymous]

Some of this might be redundant but this is what helped me:

(1) Educating myself as much as possible (through reading--especially recommend Ina May Gaskin's book--and Bradley classes)
(2) Having a supportive partner
(3) Using a doula (my practice also had midwives, but the doula was key!)
(4) Utilizing yoga breathing exercises (I already practiced before and continued w/ prenatal class)
(5) Playing relaxing music
(6) Chanting (instead of screaming--the doula would regularly guide me to bring my voice down)
(7) Believing I could do it and knowing that many women before me already have.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I did Lamaze classes and found them helpful.

Being in water worked wonders (yay jacuzzi tub!!). Being able to walk around/change positions helped. Playing my favorite music, staring at a candle and zoning out, having my husband and doula do massage/counterpressure all helped.

I think the more you educate yourself about birth, the more it helps the pain, too, actually, because you know what to expect (to a greater extent), so it's less scary. When you're freaked out, you tense up and things hurt more. It really helped me to relax my muscles and make a sort of low (not high!) moaning sound, and just stay mellow, which I don't think I could have done if I hadn't gone in feeling confident and educated about the process.

Hope that helps! Have a wonderful birth!

[Anonymous]

I took Susan Messina's birth class as well as Sibley's. It helped to be knowledgeable about my options in pain management.

I second the yoga/birth ball. I bounced on that through most of the labor. During contractions, I had my husband sit behind me on the bed and press hard against my lower back. He also reminded me to breathe, which helped immensely.

Another thing we did was count through the contractions, sort of keeping time, if you will. It helped immensely to know that the contraction was almost over if we got as high as 45 or 50.

[Anonymous]

You might want to rent the documentary "The Business of Being Born." It had some random storylines, and it also focused on home-birthing, but the story about Myra really inspired me as I plan for my own natural birth.

Her labor didn't look "easy," but she made it such a beautiful thing and showed how you can work through the pain. I hope to emulate her focus and relaxation, both while I'm laboring at home and then at the hospital. And you see her giving birth extremely up close and personal, so there's no mystery about it! They also have bonus footage with Myra, her husband, and their adorable baby -- just very inspiring all around.