- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
December 2011 Moms
whirlygirl00
member
Pain coping techniques?
whirlygirl00
member
I'm not good with pain, my menstrual cramps crippled me and made me throw up almost every month. When people say early labor wasn't bad, it just felt like bad menstrual cramps I get ill just thinking about that and can't imagine how much worse it gets!
That being said I do plan on getting an epi, however I would like to wait until I'm well underway in active labor to do so (maybe like 6-7 cent dialated?) My hospital has tubs to labor in and I know you can't use them with an epi so I do plan on using the tubs as one coping mechanism. How else should I prepare myself and what can I do to learn some other pain management techniques in the meantime? I'm not really interested in any long classes or anything, are there any other options out there?
TIA!
Here we go again! 2 u 2 :-)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Pain coping techniques?
My hospital won't let you use the tub at all if you're planning on having an epidural so I get the nubane to take the edge off which also relaxes me so I'm not a big baby when I get the epidural...
I have no pain tolerance...I was also one of those girls who puked every month from period pain...and contractions did feel like horrible cramps to me, I know that drugs are not for everyone but they are for me!!!
A lot of it is dependent on your mindset (from what I've read). You have to remember that the pain isn't because you're broken or something is wrong, it is just the pain of hard work, like a marathon or rock climbing. It has a purpose, every second of it brings you closer to your goal: having your baby in your arms. It can't kill you and it will be over in 30-60 seconds, and then you can rest and never go through that contraction again. One contraction at a time.
Some people benefit from visualizing that you are riding it like a wave or like you are a flower blooming. It also helps to focus on keeping your face/mouth and shoulders relaxed because then your whole body will follow, or focus on each part of your body and consciously relax/melt them. You could try focusing on a part of your body that doesn't hurt, like your feet or head. Some people cope by "zoning out" and fixating on a certain focal point in the room or in your mind, like a tropical beach.
Tension and fear, which are products of each other, are your worst enemy. Many women report that once they let go and just melted into the contraction, it really does make them more bearable. Once you start to tense up, it creates a vicious cycle of pain, stress, and then you tense up more, which starts it all again and you can quickly lose control. You have to remember to try not fight the sensations, because you need them to bring your baby into the world!
Other techniques include keeping moving, changing positions (research these and practice beforehand as well so it is familiar), using the shower or tub, counter-pressure on your back or hips, affirmations from your support team (You're doing amazing, I love you, you are strong, etc.) and/or repeating them to yourself, and BREATHE. Don't worry about breathing a certain special way, but do focus on it and make it a priority. It's so easy to forget to breathe when there is so much else going on in your body. Think about how important it is for that oxygen to get to your baby.
I know you said that you are planning on an epidural, but I'd highly recommend the book Natural Hospital Birth. It is new, up to date and has a ton of great information in it without being out-there/naturalist/"hippy" and also talks about how to work with your care providers and support team. Very very helpful and an easy read. Not pushy or preachy at all.
Regardless of plans for pain management, every women should be prepared for anything, because as all BTDT mom's know, labor can be SO unpredictable and sometimes (all too often actually), the epi just isn't a guarantee that you'll be pain free. They aren't fail-proof (and you don't get your money back if it doesn't work right!). You will most likely experience some degree of pain at some point, so do some research and go in prepared to cope if things don't work out the way you want. You will be so thankful later!
Comment #1: Don't believe everything you read.
Comment #2: Pretending you are a blooming flower is great until you're in so much pain that you can't think straight.
Comment #3: Yes, she said she was planning on getting an epidural so I'm not sure why you would even suggest that book.
Anyhoo...with my second, they had a hard time getting the IV in so I wasn't given any pain meds for while and had to labor naturally for a good 3 hours...it was not fun but I was able to breathe through the contractions, what helped me was knowing that I was eventually going to get that epidural...and my epidural worked great!
Also, if they let you use the tub before the epidural that will help a lot...just like it does for period cramps.
Wow, the defensiveness is palpable! Pardon me for sharing what I've learned about coping with pain like the OP asked...
1. I have chosen to believe things I read/hear beause they come from women who have been there and made it through multiple times before and/or are experts on childbirth, like Cynthia Gabriel (Medical Anthropologist and Doula), Ina May Gaskin (Mother of Midwifery), and my mother (4 unmedicated births). So yep, I'm going to go ahead and take what they have to say to heart
. Not to mention the mental connection with how pain is translated and percieved is very much a scientific fact. SOURCE Hence the ability for some people to go so far as to be pain free by hypnosis during chilbirth or even surgery. SOURCE
2. See above. It's worked for many many women, therefore it is a recommended technique for some to try. It's not a garantee to work for all, but it's worth a try.
3. If you'll read again, she asked for coping techniques to help with labor before getting the epidural, therefore, she technically would be laboring naturally, so I think my recommendation of that book was not out of line.
OP- good luck and I hope it all turns out the way you want! There's certainly nothing wrong with wanting pain relief!
I love your suggestions Fletcha. My OB is totally supportive of these type of techniques and supportive of using doulas as well. I am in the same boat- I am going to try and go natural as long as possible and try out different positions and breathing to help with the pain assuming things go as planned and/or I don't cave in the first contraction from the pain:). I am totally open to the drugs if needed:)
A few things that helped me was doing research on different breathing techniques and different positions to try during labor. I am going to try to bring in mellow music, dim light, etc, to help remain relaxed as possible, in theory being that the more relaxed you are the better to cope with the pain. I also took a birthing class from a very reputable doula (versus a hospital class) and she gave great recommendations for exactly this (relaxation, breathing, positions)- so just a thought but maybe you have something like that by you. A lot of doulas also have TONS of links on their website even if you don't end up using one. If you google relaxation techniques, etc, you can find tons of great info on line, and even videos showing you techniques. Also, a lot of yoga studios that offer prenatal yoga tend to have info on their website, or short classes on hypnobirthing, or relaxation techniques, etc, so try to find one in your area. Good luck!