5 Ways to Ease Labor Pains

First of all, don’t believe everything you see on TV. Natural labor is much less traumatic! Besides, women are often surprised at their strength and how capable they can be of dealing effectively with the discomfort of labor in a supportive environment. That being said there are ways that we have found to be effective in easing those labor pains to help you have a more comfortable experience.

Try these simple, natural techniques to help manage your pain as labor progresses! We support all of these practices for our low risk clients laboring at the birth center.

 

Stay Nourished and Hydrated

Eating and drinking during labor can provide you with the necessary energy you need for labor as well as help you remain more comfortable. Restricting your food intake during labor can cause stress, nausea, and headaches. By staying nourished throughout labor it will help keep you from becoming more exhausted and ease those labor pains, or at the very least not add to them! Try eating some of these yummy and healthy snacks.

Remain Active

Keep moving around as much as possible to stay more comfortable. You can try all different movements like walking, leaning, swaying, rocking, and squatting. You can also try using equipment and furniture like rocking chairs, birth balls, and/or a soft bed.

Use Hydrotherapy 

Hydrotherapy is when you use warm water to help provide comfort and relaxation. This can be done with a tub or shower. The warm water can soothe you, especially if you can sit on a stool and use handheld shower-heads to focus the water onto your abdomen or back. Bathing in warm water may relax you, and it may even speed up labor. Hydrotherapy is a safe and effective non-pharmacologic pain relief strategy to use.

Try Massage

The use of massage or touch during labor is an effective pain control method. In a study done to report the effects of massage on labor, researchers found that women who received massage therapy reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. You can have your doula or partner massage or stroke your back, arms and legs to help soothe you.

Find a Soothing Environment

We think one of the most important things is finding a soothing environment that is right for you. At Birth Center Stone Oak, we give women the space to birth in their own way. This is why we encourage you to eat, move, or try different positions to help you progress through labor the best way possible for you!

We hope these tips will help you manage your labor pains and help make your natural birthing experience an unforgettable memory! Get in touch with us if you are interested in learning more about our services or our classes on childbirth, newborn care, and more.