Wednesday 8 January 2014

Labour Pain Relief Approaches Women Have Used Throughout History

avhell / Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Over the time that humans have been on this Earth, different methods of labour pain relief have come and gone. Only in the last hundred years or so has it been taken as a given that each new mother will use chemical, medical means in order to reduce pain during birthing.

Looking back at the whole course of history, it is actually very surprising to see how quickly and how firmly the concept of a medically supervised birth came on. Going back a little more than a hundred years, one would see a very different picture at practically all births.

For most of time as we know it, birthing was facilitated for a new mother by women that she knew and trusted. This would usually include a midwife, who was experienced in all matters related to the physical birthing process and who would take the lead on the delivery.

Midwives were highly respected figures who were trusted and consulted not only during pregnancy and birth, but in many cases, long afterwards. They would provide advice and guidance that would help the new mother acclimate to her role.

Nowadays, birth is often facilitated by medical professionals that a new mother might not know well or at all. Most methods of labour pain relief rely on medical drugs, but there are other ways mothers can reduce pain themselves.

Let’s look at a few:

1. Aromatherapy
Any sensory stimulation that provokes a sense of peace and tranquility can be useful when trying to soothe the pain related to birthing. Aromatherapy is a scientifically proven, yet ancient healing modality that allows the body to react in a calm and positive way fast.

2. Music
Many different types of music, such as classical music, are known for their relaxing properties. If a birthing environment is kept relaxing and calming, this can help the mother keep her own body from becoming tense and potentially prolonging the birthing process.

3. Visualization
The power of the mind to reduce pain has been documented well. It is not necessary to be a trained monk or other expert in order to redirect the mind away from pain, however. Simply learning to concentrate the mind on specific, peaceful images can help.

4. Breathing Techniques

Breathing fully and deeply is important for a wide variety of activities. Reduced breathing is associated with all experiences of pain and anxiety. Learning to control breathing while under stress can greatly enhance the birth experience.

Natural birth = Laboraide