Alternate Relaxation Techniques To Relieve Labor Pains

As pregnancy progresses and labor seems to be around the corner, it is natural to experience a certain amount of fear and anxiety in anticipation of giving birth. Delivery is referred to as “labor” because it is hard, grueling, painful work. Each woman interprets pain in a different way. Relaxation, preparation, and knowledge are essential aspects of a positive birth experience.

Light

Good visual stimuli helps women relax during labour .Soft lighting, lamps, or candles (if allowed), give feelings of safety, tranquility, and warmth. Pictures of a relaxing vacation spot also help. 

Sound

Music has the ability to make a woman want to dance or even lull to sleep.  Music therapy can be an effective aid in helping relax and work through the contractions.  Sounds like ocean waves, birds chirping or bubbling brooks can help focus on the waves of the contractions. By doing so, one will program oneself to automatically relax when the time for birth arrives.

Smell

Certain smells can have a calming and comforting effect.  Aromatherapy ideas to explore include purchasing essential oils such as lavender, sage, rose, or jasmine. Use lavender, bergamot or geranium oils to keep the air fresh and create a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere. Jasmine and clary sage have traditionally been used during labor to help contractions and ease muscular pain. In addition, lavender is an antiseptic and analgesic and frankincense calms anxiety.

Taste

Most health care professionals agree that eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates and Vitamin B is beneficial in the first stage of labor.  Food like chocolates energy bars provide energy and reduce anxiety and fatigue.

Touch

Women vary on the types of touch that they enjoy during labor. 

Gentle Pressure:  Gentle pressure, with or without movement, can help the mother identify and release that tension.  For overall tension—give her a strong bear hug and let her release into you.

Kneading: Slow rhythmic kneading is helpful for reducing tension in the shoulders, thighs or buttocks.  Grasp the muscle between the heel of your hand and your closed fingers.  Squeeze in with gentle pressure, hold, then release and repeat, moving across the muscle. 

Stroking: Use firm pressure with the palm of the hand to stroke from shoulder to hip, or thigh to knee.  Before one hand leaves the body, the other hand begins a second stroke.  Alternate hands, maintaining constant contact with the mother as you slowly move across her back or thigh. 

Reflexology: Reflexology is the process of applying pressure or strokes to certain areas of the feet to relieve pain or problems in other parts of the body.  The theory suggests that the feet are a map to the body. Stimulation of nerve endings sends messages to the affected areas and releases endorphins and monoamines, which control pain.

Each time a muscle is released ,focus is brought to that part of the body diverting attention from the labour pain .  It may help to think of a comforting touch smoothing gently from your brow, up into your hair, over the top of your head and down your body.

Hypnosis: With a little practice throughout pregnancy, women can learn the process of becoming deeply relaxed and free of fear so the uterine muscles can work with minimal pain.

Visual Imagery: Women are asked to imagine a relaxing place—a beach, a lake or a place in the mountains.