Natural Birth

Pain relief methods?

FTM here! I'm really set against getting an epidural and would like to know some things I could do to help tolerate the pain during labor and birth or if you had any tips! Thanks so much!

Re: Pain relief methods?

  • I found laboring in the tub to be really helpful.  I mainly labored on hands and knees.  I had horrible back labor so I had my H/doula pour hot water or use counter pressure on my lower back.  It really helped with the pain.

    ETA: The warm water really took the edge off of my contractions.

  • Agree with pp. The jacuzzi tub at the hospital was a god-send for me. Also, the pain is much less bad if you can get up and move around or sit on a birth ball - whatever is most comfortable. To achieve this, many of us on here get a hep lock instead of an IV so our care team has a port to administer drugs/fluids if needed (including antibiotics if GBS+) but we're not hooked up the whole time and needing to carry a pole around with us.

    Also, I found repeating positive mantras to myself (things like "childbirth is a process for which my body was perfectly designed" and "my baby knows when and how to be born"), deep breathing, and rythmic rocking to be helpful. I also ended up doing low moans during contractions - I never though I would be one of "those women" but it helped keep me calm and I didn't care at that point what anyone heard. 

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    DS, May 2011
    DD, April 2014

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  • mb314mb314 member
    imageaylafsu88:

    I found laboring in the tub to be really helpful.  I mainly labored on hands and knees.  I had horrible back labor so I had my H/doula pour hot water or use counter pressure on my lower back.  It really helped with the pain.

    ETA: The warm water really took the edge off of my contractions.

     

    This exactly.  I labored at home in the shower and then in the tub in the hospital.  I never wanted an epidural because I knew that they would make me leave the tub, and the tub was so awesome for pain relief.  DH used a shower head to spray warm water on my back.  

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  • Do any of you know if United in St.Paul has tubs available to labor in?
  • imageNokkouttmomma:
    Do any of you know if United in St.Paul has tubs available to labor in?

    You should check the maternity dept's website or call someone there. If there aren't tubs, ask about showers, and/or plan on laboring at home as long as possible. 

    imageimage image
    DS, May 2011
    DD, April 2014

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  • *LrCg**LrCg* member
    I SWEAR by arm wrestling. It sounds but it prevents you from tightening up your cervix during contractions and it speeds things up plus I concentrate on winning vs the pain. My first birth was 4 hours, 3rd birth only 2. Of course whatever you do, stay off laying flat on your back.
  • You should also take natural childbirth classes like Bradley and read up on different techniques.  Haven't been through it yet, but I think I'll be a lot more calm and relaxed and able to deal because I know what to expect, the stages of labor, and DH and I have both prepared for this.

    We are also using midwives and a very natural childbirth/baby friendly hospital.  I am also having my mom and SIL there to help support us which will take the burden off of DH so he can go pee or whatever if he has to. 

    Now all we're waiting for is for this little guy to decide it's time to show up. 

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  • imagejoules235:
    You should check out Hypnobabies. It uses medical grade hypno-anesthesia to take away the pain during birth.

    Oh god, this made me laugh so hard. Are you being serious? Eff'in Hypnobabies terms.

    OP, I took a prenatal yoga class when I was pregnant with my first, and the techniques helped a lot during labor - breathing for relaxation and vocalizing especially. I also labored in the tub with my first and it was great. I didn't use the tub during my second labor, but it wasn't as long and I was also knew what to expect. 

    DS1 - Feb 2008

    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

  • I did hypnobirthing. I didn't really use the methods during the birth, but the whole 'system' really prepares you to be less anxious and more relaxed...

    In terms of actual pain relief/control, my best weapon was hot water. The shower was my best friend!! Also, in my second birth where I was in a hospital and had to be monitored for possible complications, my husband rubbing my lower back really really hard during contractions really helped!

    Good luck!!!

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  • I walked a ton when I first got to the hospital.  Then the tub not only took my pain away, it also helped me dilate super fast. They only let me stay in for 15 minutes because it was working so well. The shower helped a lot too. Do anything but lay in bed. Laying in the bed made everything hurt worse and is the time when I lost control.
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