Let's be honest, anyone who has never given birth to a child thinks a lot about the birth and the expected pains of labor. But how can you actually relieve labor pains? Labor pains are something completely natural because they bring you closer to your child. This blog article is therefore about all the things you can do before or during the birth to deal with the pain better and more calmly.
What can you do before giving birth to relieve labor pains?
The natural course of childbirth is accompanied by pain. That is why it is all the more important to gain clarity about what to expect as an expectant mother through knowledge of birth, its different phases, etc. In the courses you can ask all your questions and be prepared for your own birth in a calm and relaxed manner. This can also give your companion extra security.
It's about feeling comfortable and giving birth in an environment that is safe for you. Relaxation can lead to a reduced perception of pain. Therefore, it can help you to calm down for the birth if you look at the facilities of your desired birth location before your due date.
Towards the end of your pregnancy, you can also use acupuncture to prepare for a less painful birth. If you would like to use the help of traditional Asian healing arts, you should take this into account when choosing your midwife, as some of them offer acupuncture before the birth.
But the most important thing, in addition to the possible external aids, is your inner attitude. Look forward to the birth with confidence! Your body knows what it has to do and will perform one of the greatest miracles. Trust it.
Breathing through contractions during childbirth
During the birth, it can be incredibly relaxing to have a supportive person by your side. It doesn't matter whether your partner, a friend, a relative or even a doula supports you during the birth. A companion can support you emotionally and physically, for example by making sure that you always have something to drink or by giving you a heat pack.
It is also important not to concentrate too much on the contractions, but to focus on the breaks in between. Learning breathing techniques helps many women to cope with contractions better and to work with them. During your birth preparation course, you will be given a wide range of information that you can use during the birth. Well-known relaxation and breathing exercises are the Lamaze, Odent and Leboyer methods. Hypnobirthing courses can also prepare pregnant women to experience a more pain-free birth using self-hypnosis. Another variant is the "peaceful birth" according to Kristin Graf. Just see which method sounds and feels best to you.
It is important to breathe in through your nose during a contraction and breathe out slowly through your mouth. The controlled, deep breaths not only provide a calming regularity but also ensure that your baby gets enough oxygen during the procedure.
And what if I need the help of traditional medicine?
In short: then this is exactly the right thing for you. With all the different ways to counteract the pain of contractions without conventional medicine, you should still allow yourself to use them if you feel you need them. Whether it's an epidural or spinal anesthesia for a cesarean section, accept them as an aid. Either way, you can be happy because soon you will finally be holding your baby in your arms.