| Pain
in childbirth is normal, healthy, and productive -- and ends
with the ecstasy of your baby's birth. Although management
of labor pain plays less important role in a mother's satisfaction
with childbirth, compared with the quality of the relationship
with her labor support and her ability to take part in decision
making, it is an important topic.
Pain in labor is a nearly universal experience
for childbearing women. It is, however, experienced differently
by birthing mothers. The majority of women, though, need some
sort of pain relief during childbirth. Methods vary from drugs
to natural methods, and it is worth considering the various
options available to you well in advance.
Non-pharmacologic methods of labor pain relief
are becoming more common as mothers, as well as pregnancy
and labor caregivers, become more aware of the effectiveness
of these methods. Changing positions and movement, warm water
baths, massage and acupressure are gaining more popularity,
in addition to relaxation and hypnobirthing, in management
of labor pain.
A vast study by Childbirth Connection in 2005
revealed that 69% of birthing mothers used at least one non-pharmacologic
method to relieve pain and increase comfort during their labor.
Most frequently used were breathing techniques and position
changes and movement, followed by relaxation, visualization
or hypnosis.
As many as one in five birthing mothers used
hands-on techniques such as massage and labor acupressure.
These two hands-on techniques were rated very helpful by vast
majority of 91% of the mothers.
The popularity of these pain relieving methods
is based on the simplicity and easiness to use them anywhere
without any special and expensive tools. This is in addition
to highly satisfactory level of relief from labor pains.
Less frequently used labor pain relieving
methods include use of birthing balls, birthing tub or pool,
and aromatherapy. Mothers who use these pain relieving methods,
also, generally rate them helpful. Unfortunately, their use
is limited by the need of special equipments or space.
By far, the most common forms of medication
in both vaginal and cesarean births among the pharmacologic
labor pain relieving methods are the epidural or spinal analgesia.
Epidural or spinal analgesia mostly give excellent labor pain
relief. However, studies revealed a scattered satisfaction
with epidurals.
Many interviewed mothers described their experiences
of not having access to this type of pain relief when they
wanted it, getting uneven pain relief on different sides,
and experiencing headaches, and other adverse effects.
Labor is an exciting event and involves many
new sensations, especially if you are having your first baby.
These sensations are part of giving life to your baby. However,
no one needs to suffer during childbirth. By understanding
what you can do, and how others can help you in order to prevent
and relieve labor pains, you are most likely to have a satisfying
birth experience.
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