Tips for easing the pain of chidbirth
The best labor tips for an expectant mother are listed below.
These tips are all based on relaxation. You will see why this is
so important for your body. I hope you will find these labor
tips for your natural childbirth helpful. RELAXATION
Relaxation is one of the most helpful techniques for pain
relief. Let your body do what it is supposed to do. While your
uterus is contracting, relax the rest of your body so your
energy isn't working against you. Relaxation is something that
should be practiced throughout your pregnancy. There are several
different ways to do this. Working with your labor partner
throughout your pregnancy to find out what works for you. For
me, it was to have my husband stroke my hair. For someone else
is may be massage. It's funny to think that relaxing is a SKILL.
The following are some suggestions to try for relaxing.
* Massage
* bathing or showering
* listening to music
* deep breathing
* meditation
* Yoga poses
* visualization
MASSAGE
Massage is a wonderful labor tip. Having your partner give you a
massage not only relaxes you but it also gives your partner a
chance to be a part of the labor process. It promotes closeness
and intimacy. And also, as I said above, relaxing takes
practice, so that means that you'll also have to practice
massage. You need to find out what works for you and what
relaxes you. And heck, asking for practice massage is a good way
for you to get a massage every week or so? Good idea huh gals?
Bathing or Showering
Bathing is an obvious labor tip. I shouldn't need to explain how
wonderful a bath feels even if your aren't in labor. Just having
the feeling of the water on your body is an instant massage. Not
the mention the buoyancy of the water takes the pressure off
Mom, especially if she is having back labor. I have to say that
taking a shower was the best way for me to deal with my labor
pain. I just didn't ever want to get out of the shower.
Music
Music can be such a relaxing medium. It can take you to another
plane of consciousness. It can also evoke such memories and
choosing the right music that puts you in the place of total
relaxation is a powerful feeling. This is something too, that
should be practiced throughout your pregnancy. Experiment with
different types of music and see what mood it puts you in. Try
something new, you may be surprised. Another benefit of doing
this is that having music surround you that comforts you during
your pregnancy will make you a happier and more content pregnant
woman. And we all know that a happy preggers makes for a happy
baby. Your little one can also benefit from the tunes.
Deep Breathing
An often overlooked labor tip, breathing, is something that also
needs practiced often during your pregnancy. Deep breathing can
do wonders for a stressed out or nervous mom in labor. In Yoga
it is called Pranayama breathing. This type of breathing can be
detrimental in pain relief. Breathing correctly or concentrating
on your breathing will help oxygenate your blood which in turn
oxygenates the baby. I think this is such an important tool to
use.
Meditation
Meditation is a deep form of relaxation. Being able to be still
and concentrate on positive images instead of dwelling on pain
can not only help with pain relief but can also help you along
in your labor. For you,the laboring mom, to be able to be
totally relaxed and to have a grip and feeling on what your body
is doing and feeling can only speed up labor and have the body
do what it knows how to do. Letting your mind relax and give
your body the chance to do the work. Meditation can be anything
from just sitting in a quiet room with peaceful thoughts,
listening to soothing music, practicing the Pranayama breathing,
or actually doing yoga. There are aids out there to help you
practice meditating.
Yoga Poses
Practicing yoga during pregnancy can give you the tools you need
to help with pain relief during labor. As stated above, the
breathing techniques are of high value and if you have done yoga
in the past you know the feeling you get right after your
practice. You have a feeling of peace and inner strength. One of
the most important poses to do during pregnancy is the cat or
the Bidalasana pose. A variation of this pose is similar to the
pelvic rock exercise. This position is so important because of
the benefits to your body which in turn, benefit your baby. This
exercise relieves pressure on the lower back and increases
circulation and can improve digestion. But most important, is
that this position gives the baby the most room for movement and
can sometimes help in repositioning the baby from a breech
position. This pose is also very helpful in labor. This pose was
one that helped me the most. This pose is done by getting down
on your hands and knees, knees spread shoulder width. Now, arch
your back and then release, tilting your pelvis while doing
this. During labor, just being in this position can help the
pain, this position was very helpful to me during my labor.
Visualization
Visualization is a form of meditation. This should be practiced
often as should all of these forms of relaxation. Try to pull
out a memory of something positive, run this story over and over
through your mind. Make this memory a trigger for you feeling
peaceful and centered. you are getting very sleepy, you are
getting very sleepy....OK Just wanted to make sure I still had
ya ;) Think about the first time you met your partner and the
things that made you get those butterflies... think about your
favorite vacation when you were truly relaxed and content. maybe
picture how you will feel when that precious little life is
handed to you for the very first time.