Getting pain relief is one issue that every expectant mother is interested in. Whether your goal is natural childbirth, using pain medication like an epidural or a combination of the two, if you are getting ready to have a baby, you will want to know as much as you can about pain relief techniques during labor and why they work to be fully prepared.
Firm Massage or Pressure for Labor
Firm massage is one of the most effective pain relief techniques. Labor partners can use firm massage to the lower back or achy arms, legs, neck to relieve contraction discomfort as well as aches and pains from tension and long hours of labor. If the mother tenses up during labor, lactic acid builds up in her muscles. This can cause more pain both during labor as well as the first few days after birth.
Partners can also apply firm pressure using the heel of the hand to the mother's lower back during contractions. This is an excellent pain relief technique that can help reduce the sensation of pain and the transmission of the pain impulses to the brain.
Women often like pressure on hands, feet and even kissing since the nerve endings found in these parts of the body also help to block the pain signals. This is a reason women often prefer standing rather than lying down during labor! Foot massages can be a relaxing comfort measure as well as very effective to reduce pain. Don't forget about the benefits of acupressure to provide pain relief during labor!
Light Massage/Effleurage as Pain Relief
Light or fingertip massage on the mother's back or abdomen, also called effleurage, may be preferable over deep massage for some women. Effleurage stimulates nerve endings called "meissner's corpuscles," which travel faster across the body than the signal of pain, thereby "blocking" the pain signal from reaching the brain so quickly.
Using Water and Temperature Changes for Pain Relief in Labor
Moms often benefit from laboring in a tub or using a shower. Both forms of hydrotherapy are very effective pain relief techniques to relax the mother and provide comfort to her back or lower abdomen. It is a good idea to wait until active labor (preferably 4-5 cm) to use a tub since getting into water too early can slow labor.
When laboring in a tub or shower is not possible, heat or cold packs are a great comfort measure for the mother's lower back. Cool cloths are great for mom's forehead in active labor through pushing.
Comfort Measures With Breathing and Relaxation Techniques for Labor
Breathing patterns can be a helpful distraction tool as well as keeping mother from hyperventilating or holding her breath during contractions. Patterns can consist of deep, abdominal breaths or shallower breaths. All breathing patterns should be rhythmic.
Moms enjoy using relaxation techniques along with their breathing patterns. Relaxation can be helpful between contractions or during if the mother desires. Use relaxation techniques in rhythm to the mother's breathing pattern.
Pain Relief Using Position Changes
Position changes are recommended for comfort throughout labor as well as to help labor progress. Some positions helpful for pain relief are hands-knees, walking, standing and leaning on labor partners, side-lying and straddling while seated on a birth ball. The mother should continue to change positions during pushing as well.
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils During Labor
Aromatherapy can be used to ease tension and enhance relaxation. Use one drop of essential oil in a cup of warm water to fill the room with a pleasant aroma. Aromatherapy during labor can also be combined with massage in pre-mixed massage lotions.
Use caution when handling essential oils since they can be toxic. Also, do not use oils in the water if you plan to give birth in the tub. Scents that are popular for labor include lavender, clary sage, jasmine, neroli, rose, geramium and lemon.
Eating and Drinking in Labor Can be a Comfort
You might not think of foods or fluid as a comfort measure and they may not help directly effective as pain relief techniques. However, hydration and light nourishment throughout labor can prevent fatigue and provide mothers the energy to get through a long labor.
If you are interested in eating and drinking during your labor, talk to your care provider about the benefits of eating during labor as well as researching specific foods to eat while in labor.
Other Distractions to Use in Labor - Music, Focal and More
Music, focal points, and photos are a nice way to brighten the birthing environment and give the mother something else to concentrate on. Some mothers like music with a slower, more relaxing rhythm in early labor and something more peppy or energetic as labor progresses.
Moms may also enjoy having the comfort of their own pillow from home as well as wearing their own bathrobe and slippers.
Birth Doulas a Perfect Source of Pain Relief Techniques
Last but certainly not least, birth doulas can be a great resource of encouragement, emotional support and physical comfort for the entire family while the mother is in labor. In addition to knowledge about pain relief techniques, doulas provide continuous emotional support, answer questions about labor and provide support to the partner or father.
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
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