Coping with Pain

Everyone experiences labour differently, but one thing is constant – there is always pain during labour. There are many ways to cope with labour pain, including relaxation, vocalization, positioning, breathing techniques, massage and pain medication. You will need to determine what is right for you. You might want to learn different coping techniques while you are pregnant so you will have many strategies to draw from during labour.

Prenatal classes teach a variety of relaxation techniques. You can learn about some of these in the following pages. Once you have learned a relaxation technique that works, use it whenever you need it. During labour you will feel more comfortable with a method that you have used often and trust.

There is nothing magical about relaxation techniques. You may already be using them in your everyday life. Which ways of relieving stress have worked for you before? Think back to an especially stressful time in your life. What worked? What didn't? Does it work best for you to be quiet or to scream and curse? How might you be able to modify your own proven strategies to work for you during pregnancy and labour?

In addition to relaxation and breathing techniques, some women find that getting a massage can help relieve stress and pain. This is a very individual choice. If you didn't like getting a back rub before you got pregnant, this might not be the best choice for you.

Some centres now offer an electronic device called a TENS (transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation) unit to control pain. A TENS unit is about the size of a cell phone. Pads are placed on the body (usually on the back) and impulses that reduce pain stimulate that area. There are varying reports about how effective this approach is. Ask your doctor or midwife if this option is available to you.

You may also want to inquire about other pain relief methods, such as hypnosis, acupuncture or baths. These options may be available in some areas.

Some of you may have been skimming through these paragraphs looking for the information on drugs! Many women want to use epidurals and other pain medications; others want to avoid this alternative. Think about this option before labour begins and use the pages below to learn and to create your own pain control strategy. Even if medications will be a major part of your strategy, these other techniques can help you cope during the birth.

• Relaxation

• Massage

• Breathing techniques

• Positions

• Medication

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