Labour Pain Relief Approaches Women Have Used Throughout History

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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.

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Why An Epidural Isn’t Always So Helpful

When women are preparing themselves for childbirth, many request an epidural without really thinking about the negative impacts it might have on their bodies or their children’s bodies. An epidural seems like a dream come true: a way to experience the miracle of childbirth without the excruciating pain. It is important to realize, however, that pain is simply a part of the childbirth process, and there is no way to escape it completely. Once one has embraced this fact, one will be able to make a more educated decision based on the long list of disadvantages of an epidural, which far outweigh its advantages.

In the debate of natural birth vs epidural, the childbirth process, as most women argue, is the most painful experience of their lives. Women feeling this pain, naturally, would do almost anything to make it go away. In the heat of the moment, it can be too much to bear. This is why most women, including those who had previously decided to go without one, wind up requesting an epidural during childbirth. There is no doubt that an epidural provides great relief and protects babies from other medications that could be administered, but its benefits end there.

An epidural is administered into a woman’s spine by means of a very long needle. This process is very uncomfortable, but once the medication takes effect, many would argue that it is worth it. When a woman receives an epidural, however, she loses feeling in the lower half of her body. This means that she also loses a great deal of muscle control. Without this control, women are not able to push as efficiently as normal, and doctors are forced to use many more harsh tools in order to remove the babies from their birth canals.

There are plenty of other risks associated with epidurals including longer delivery time, increased risk of C-sections, increased risk of low blood pressure and fever, and often a need for oxytocin, a medication which stimulates uterine contractions. As one can see, an epidural may require several counteractive medications, which put one’s child at a much higher risk.

In addition to these negativities, however, there is also the risk of an epidural being administered incorrectly. Because these treatments are placed into the spine, one can obtain spinal bruising or even permanent damage from an epidural.

Before one accepts any sort of medication, one should always do the research and make sure that its benefits outweigh its faults; in the case of natural birth vs epidural usage, they certainly do not.

If you have decided to have a Natural home Birth, we suggest that you check out our revolutionary natural, drug free product that will reduce pain during birth. Find it at our Laboraide Shop.

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Labour Pain Relief

The body is an amazing thing, even beyond the fact that it is the physical aspect of life, but that it is resilient through pain and trauma, as well as wired in such a way that an action in one area can create a response in an entirely different place.  Added to this is the fact that women are able to gestate the formation of life and bring that life to fruition after the arduous task of labour.  The miracle, then, is not just the emergence of a child, but also the body that can do so.

Natural childbirth is becoming more popular, as people shy away from immediately subjecting their child to the petri dish of diseases in hospitals, or if they want the birth of their offspring to be private and personal, rather than public and coldly clinical.  Some mothers who have gone down either path attest to the fact that natural birth not only changed the experience for them, but seems to show itself in a more positive personality in their child.  Natural childbirth, though, does come with the same pains of labour, although methods that do not include drugs and chemicals may still be utilized to help the mother see her way through the ordeal.

The most common form of pain management for natural birthing is the use of a breathing technique which can incorporate visualizations to shift the focus away from the pain.  Breathing exercises were originally thought to distract the mother from the pain by giving her another task to keep occupied with, and the breath count is linked to the times of contraction in order to synchronize the physiological processes and make labour less physically taxing, providing much labour pain relief.  However, respiration and the acuteness of pain are linked, as controlled respiration can mimic the effects of exercise and release natural pain relieving endorphins through the body.  This moves breathing beyond a mental form of pain relief and provides true physical benefit as well.

Other natural pain management is based on the way that nerve receptors connect within the body.  In much the same way that acupuncture or reflexology can elicit a response in one part of the body by activating or relaxing muscles in another, these forms of natural pain relief rely on similar principles.  The main nerves and blood vessels are affected by tension in the jaw and facial area, since they run on either side of the neck.  The ability to keep the jaw relaxed during labour will change the way pain is received from the nerves that link to the abdominal area.  In the same way that breathing is more than focus and is an actual physiological reaction, the easing of jaw tension provides another proven method of labour pain relief 

You can find our products for Natural pain relief during labour at our Laboraide shop.

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How To Reduce Labor Pains

The idea of giving birth can be daunting and scary, especially for new mothers. The fear of going through pain can be overwhelming and make pregnancy much less enjoyable. Even though pain medications can dramatically reduce labor pains, you more than likely will still feel a good amount no matter how much medication you are put under. For all expecting mothers, it is important to confront any fears, share them with people you trust, and enact a plan to help you manage the pain you’ll feel while giving birth. Below are some simple strategies of how to reduce laborpains and overcome the mental aspects of childbirth that can make the pain even worse if not addressed.

First, what kinds of pain and sensations should you expect? Labor is a painful process for multiple reasons, as many areas of the body will experience more pressure, stretching and aching than you’ve likely ever felt before. The cervix, which is particularly sensitive to pressure and stretching, is the source of some of the greatest pain, as the vagina will feel like it is being stretched beyond its limits. You will also likely feel intense pressure against your bladder and your rectum as the baby makes its way out of the body. This can be eased by emptying your bladder frequently during labor. Contractions will feel like intense cramping, and women typically experience pain in different areas during these, including the back, hips and abdomen. For women who give birth without the use of an epidural, changing positions during labor can help reduce pain felt from contractions. Other effective tips on how to reduce labor pains are listed below.

Make Noises

During labor, you’re going to want to breathe deeply to help relax and ease the strain on your lower body. One way to do this is to make noises in a low voice, engaging the diaphragm and helping you breathe more effectively. If you can manage it, stay away from high-pitched noises and screams that will only inhibit the flow of oxygen throughout your body. On top of helping you breathe more freely, many women find that making sounds helps take their mind off of the pain and gives them something else to focus on. If you’d like, you can even memorize a text, poem or monologue before going into labor, the reciting of which will help you engage your brain and voice during childbirth, taking focus away from the pain and placing it somewhere else.

Use Heat To Soothe Pain

Applying warm compresses to areas that are under stress can help soothe pain and create a greater sense of comfort during labor. In the first stages of labor, relaxing in a warm bath or shower (if available) can relax the body and mind for the difficult process that lies ahead. Likewise, continuing to apply heat during the more painful stages can result in increased comfort and tranquility. Some women enjoy a heated compress at the back of the neck, near the abdomen, or against the lower back and it can be a very effective way to dull some of the pain.

Have A Support Team

For couples, there is often a lot that can be done during pregnancy to prepare for the big delivery. That includes taking birthing classes and reading up on how a partner can act as a support coach during labor. Research has shown that women who are motivated by someone who they trust and who is prepared to guide them through the birthing process are more likely to have efficient and less painful births. Many women also opt to hire a “doula” or trained birthing assistant whose main goal is to provide you with emotional (and sometimes physical) support while you give birth. Typically, doulas interact with expecting mothers during pregnancy so that a level of trust is established going into the actual birth. Many have found the support and guidance of a doula to be an invaluable resource in helping them effectively manage labor pain.

Visualization

Many women also rely on visualization techniques to employ a “mind over matter” approach to childbirth. There are several distinct advantages to this type of strategy, one of which is that pregnant women can improve and work at visualizing well before they are giving birth. Like meditation, this method can be a great way to take your mind elsewhere during moments of pain and relax your muscles and breath. By keeping a strong mind, childbirth becomes a less intimidating and overwhelming experience. Many women are able to include their child in these visualizations, transforming their labor into a journey, instead of a struggle. While this technique may not be right for everyone, it is certainly worth it to practice mental exercises that can calm your mind and relax your body before going into labor.

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Home Birth

Home Birth - Healthy Environment, Healthy Baby

The decision a woman makes on where she wants to have her baby is both a very important and personal one. Environment is a huge factor in how quickly the delivery will last and how much pain will actually be experienced or felt. In other cases, a woman is unable to choose between home birth and hospital or clinical center births due to medical costs being too expensive. For several years, women have been able to rely on home birth as a safe and trusty delivery process. However, many considerations and preparations should be established well before a woman starts going into labor.

Safety factors

A lot of the time, women will worry about what chemicals or bacteria their babies can potentially be exposed to in a hospital setting. Harmful germs or diseases can be present despite a clinic or birthing center being efficiently cleaned and prepared based solely on the fact of how many people are contagious in the same facility. In addition, certain medications, shots and other various items given to the mother during birth could actually cause labor to take longer than it really should. Probably one of the biggest concerns to any pregnant woman is the epidural and how safe it is for her and the baby. An epidural is given once the cervix is dilated to at least four centimeters. The epidural can only be given early on, causing a woman to miss her chance to receive the shot. With no assistance of artificial pain relief, there are natural ways that a woman can get through a tough labor.

Comfort factors

Another big reason for women to choose home birth is the fact they will be in a comfortable surrounding, free from hospital distractions. The hustle and bustle of a busy medical center can cause more stress and anxiety on a woman who is going through very painful contractions. Having the baby in a family room, surrounded by as many relatives as desired can help ease labor tension greatly. Hospital or birthing center rooms tend to restrict the number of people allowed in the room at the time of birth. Having said that, a woman will not be without medical assistance because she is usually accompanied by a midwife or physician of some sort in order make sure that the baby is safely delivered. 

Using simple and natural help, home birth is proven to be a great option for women across the globe.

There are also other Natural ways for labor pain relief. Check out the Laboraide Shop for more info.

Photo credit: Jason Lander / Foter.com / CC BY