8 GREAT WAYS TO MANAGE PAIN DURING LABOUR

Many people are afraid of the pain that comes with labour, but it can be managed. Doula Donna Bland shares some tips and techniques.

Giving birth is one of the most memorable and rewarding events a woman will ever go through. It can also be the scariest and most daunting, but it doesn’t have to be, and shouldn’t be. With the help of some pain management techniques, women can cope better and often feel empowered, knowing that they were in control of their birth process.

Here are some ideas of how to cope better during labour and birth:

Breathing is an amazingly useful tool to help with relaxation and pain during labour and birth. There are a couple of good breathing exercises you can practise during pregnancy in preparation for your baby’s birth. In labour, the point of taking long, slow breaths through your nose and out through your mouth, is to not only help you to relax, but also to oxygenate your blood and in turn send this oxygenated blood to your baby via the placenta. This is immensely advantageous for your baby, ensuring a good oxygen supply.

Active birth is one of the best ways to manage pain during labour and birth. Ask any mom who has laboured, how much worse her contractions felt during confinement to a bed, while undergoing routine examinations. Being upright and mobile is far less painful and has the advantage of using gravity to encourage baby’s head to descend further into the pelvis in preparation for the birth, often shortening the length of the labour. Some of the things you can do to remain active is walk, squat or sit on a Pilates ball. You can also lean on the bed or a chair with your hands/arms and swing your hips from side to side. This movement has the benefit of softening and opening the cervix, while providing some pain relief during contractions.

A warm, homely environment creates a calming effect, making it easier to relax. This can be done in a variety of ways:

Music has a soothing effect

Soothing Techniques

Newborn babies cry for a variety of reasons. Your baby may be hungry or have a dirty nappy, but often baby may just want to be held.

Babies also become overstimulated and may need a change in environment. Cuddling, swaddling or gentle swaying may help a fussy baby to settle. Skin-to-skin contact has proven not just to help baby settle, but feed and sleep better.

These days, many parents “wear” their babies in a wrap or a sling. Baby is comforted by hearing your heartbeat and being near you. This practice leads to a release of oxytocin (the love hormone), creating a happier mom and baby.

Sleep

The average newborn will sleep around 16 hours a day. This may vary from baby to baby, but sleep is vital for a baby to thrive and develop during the first 100 days of life. Although sleep deprivation is guaranteed for new parents, there are some things you can do to get some much-needed sleep.

Sleep when baby sleeps. Night feeds and broken sleep can make coping exceedingly difficult. Catching up when your baby sleeps will help you survive the early days.

If your baby falls asleep easily but struggles to stay asleep, it could be because of the Moro reflex. This is your baby’s startle reflex and can very often cause a baby to wake, even out of a deep sleep. Swaddling can be especially useful in combatting this problem, by extending sleep periods.

“Wearing” your baby, (as mentioned before) or cosleeping can really help in making your baby feel safe and secure, ensuring better sleep. If you are afraid to co-sleep, why not try having baby in a crib next to your bed where they are still aware of your presence and are accessible for easy feeding?

Tummy Time

The first step towards future developmental milestones is for baby to practise intervals of tummy time. It is recommended that a baby spend a few times a day lasting a few minutes, on their tummies either on blanket (always supervised) or on mom or dad’s chest.

They don’t always respond positively initially, but if you persevere, your baby will develop the necessary physical skills, well within the recommended three-month milestone guidelines.

Gastrointestinal Disturbances

There are copious numbers of articles written about colic and reflux. All newborn babies, particularly in the first 100 days after birth, will experience some sort of gastrointestinal issue. The main reason for this is a highly immature gut system trying to cope with its new function of digesting milk.

Breastmilk is more easily digested and therefore tends to create fewer concerns in this area. Formula-fed babies need to be well burped and not overfed to prevent the newborn’s stomach from cramping.

Colic and reflux, of course, do exist and present their own challenges, but remember that most newborn babies will suffer with some gastric disturbance during this stage. Speak to a lactation consultant or your clinic sister for advice on comfort measures for baby.

Support

The journey into parenthood is a joyous, exciting time that brings many changes to your life. Moms must deal with physical recovery from the birth process, sleep deprivation, feeding concerns and the rollercoaster of emotions caused by hormonal changes. This can lead to postnatal “blues” or even depression, so having good support at this time is imperative.

If you do not have family or friends who can help you through this time, there are support groups available. If you are struggling in a particular area e.g., feeding, there are professionals who can assist you. Reach out to those available to you so that you can enjoy this precious time.

One hundred days may seem like a long time, but it is amazing how quickly that time goes after your baby is born. Being busy with your new routine and the lifestyle changes it brings can make the first couple of months seem like they have gone in the blink of an eye.

Knowing some of what to expect and having a good support system can help you to enjoy your baby during these first 100 days of life.