whats some ways to reduce pain duing labour without drugs?

Nikki - posted on 01/04/2010

im 31 weeks

Ellen - posted on 01/04/2010

I agree with the labor ball it got me through about 24hrs of labor!!!

Lucy - posted on 01/04/2010

The book "Gentle Birthing Method" by Dr Gowri Motha was helpful to me with both my pregnancies. I have to say, if you are working or have other children to care for, the strict regime she suggests is a little impractical, but her ideas on diet, meditation and active labour are really useful if you want to avoid drugs for pain relief. My second birth was quick and very manageable using Gowri's techniques. Having said that, be kind to yourself, if you find you want pain relief when it comes to it, do whatever feels right. There are no prizes for going it alone!

Debi - posted on 01/04/2010

I had two babies NO pain meds at all. You can do it. lots of walking LOTS. the exercising ball to sit on and bounce is a life saver, also stand with a stable object like a chair next to you hold on to it and lift your leg up then to the side bending your knee one at a time do one leg a few times then switch to the other leg knee up in front then knee up to side this gets your pelvic bones work and helps during. Make sure BEFORE you go in to coach your hubby and one other (normally your nurse which she will know how lol ) about when you do have pain to have one on each side with there hands one on the bottom of your feet and one under your thighs. I wish you all the luck God bless

Elizabeth - posted on 01/04/2010

Hypnobirthing is phenomenal, but you have to start training for it well in advance...how far along are you? It can take 6-8 weeks to perfect.

Nikki - posted on 01/01/2010

thanku all fofr ur suggestions. reading alot of ur comments has made me not so nervous about labour thanku. im going to go with the BREATH BREATH BREATH technique, meditation and relxating. i have put relaxtion music to my ipod just in case i will need it. im not not really one for massages but i heard that walking around or standing up (leaning against a bed or ur partner) really helps. the whole gravity thing. lol. but thanku. im set on a water birth but as alot of u said, labour never goes according to plan but its a mid over matter thing. if i dnt think about the pain then it will help against me leading to drugs. i know its alright to take drugs but i will feel better for myself if i go natural all the way. its just sumthing i believe in. im gunna look into hiring a doula. but thanx again guys for all ur helpful tips. i just really hope i find sumthing that works

Ann - posted on 01/01/2010

I had Sterile Water Injections (talk to your midwife as they're not available everywhere). They worked marvelously. It's 2 injections of Sterile Water given simultaneously on either side of your spine. There's no loss of sensation as such they just confused the nerve impulses enough to allow you to relax a bit. I went from 6-cm to fully dilated within an hour of having them.

Tehessia - posted on 01/01/2010

think of your ideal vacation spot and meditation works!!!! Good Luck

Abbie - posted on 01/01/2010

There is the epidural, which will make you mostly numb from the ribs down, there is nubain which makes you feel slightly drunk. There is breathing, the bradly method, water birthing,



If you want to go go as natural as possible i would really recommend a doula. They are there to help you breathe and offer different positions. I was like you, I was going to do my birth plan and i was going to go natural. I was induced which if you are induced, go with the epidural because ( atleast for me and i am not trying to scare you) there was no break in pain. It was a pain i had never had before. Also you must trust your medical staff. Anyway I got an epi and it was great, you could have cut my feet off and I woudln't have known the differece, but i had to have a c section so it all worked out. Also don't feel that you are a bad mom if you have to have a c section, they are there for a reason. in the end you still have a baby! Doesn't matter which way it came out!!!!

Jocelyn - posted on 01/01/2010

Hypnobirthing. Worked wonders for me; my midwife said I was one of the calmest women in labor that she'd ever seen lol. What it involves is a lot of focused breathing and visualization. You put yourself into a trance where you end up feeling the pressure, but there is minimal pain. There are different ways to breath for contractions, in between contractions and pushing; along with different visualizations for the different stages. I also had a water birth (some hospitals don't allow water birth, but will allow you to labor in the water) and the water really helped relieve the pressure (and I didn't tear at all!) If you have any questions feel free to pm me!

Rachel - posted on 01/01/2010

Try not to stress about it. I have had two both different births. I had epidural with the first and was in labor for 17 hours did not really have much pain just pressure. With the second child will I had her natural and she was born only an hour after getting to the hospital. Try to stay calm during delivery if you choose not to receive and meds,it will be hard to do but with lots of moral supprt you will do just fine. Remember to breathe that the key and stay focused. Good luck and best wishes.

Lea - posted on 01/01/2010

Birth bar. Leaning forward during labor somehow helped immensely.

Krista - posted on 01/01/2010

I echo the others' suggestions about breathing, walking, trying to keep your body relaxed, etc.

However, I also want to tell you that if you DO change your mind and decide to get the drugs, to not be ashamed, or feel like you've failed. A birth plan is an excellent way to figure out your priorities, but childbirth (like motherhood) rarely goes exactly as planned. Just focus on the prize: delivering a healthy baby. Everything else is just details, and nobody will be standing at the hospital doors when you leave, handing out medals for how much pain you endured.

Chelsey - posted on 01/01/2010

Moving around a lot really helped me, I was in the bed but didn't stay still for one second it helped me not to get stuck thinking about the pain.

Janna - posted on 01/01/2010

Check out the Bradley Method!!!

Lauren - posted on 01/01/2010

Breathing. Seriously, just some relaxing breathing techniques really do the trick. Also, make sure you're partner is encouraging and stays ultra calm, it really helps

Stevie - posted on 01/01/2010

having a baby really isnt all that painfull but it does depend on the type of person you are and your pain/adrinallin levels are im a wimp a huge whimp but ive had two kids both 100% naturally without any pain meds at all my son (my second) i was induced but with him i had the time to have help and find ways to not have much pain since labor with him last 15.5 hours my first was only 10 min but i used counter presure on my back when you have a contraction have someone put presure on your back in a certain area works awesome also breathing helps and messages helps a ton also watching some tv can help too something funny or something that can keep your mind off of it

Justine - posted on 01/01/2010

i had my son naturally after 27 hours of labour, breaking my tailbone halfway through, and he was posterior, so i know all about pain. the worst of it is if you have back labour if your baby is posterior. having someone constantly press against my spine got me through that. in the earlier stages i found a bath really really helpful.
keep in mind that when you are in labour you may be really tempted to get a epidural when you are in that pain, and a doctor will probably give it to you. if you have a back up plan you will likely have an easier time getting through the temptation. i know that you dont want to use drugs, but knowing there is a safer option if you get really worn down, like the gas which wears off quickly and doesnt have as much of an effect on the baby, may help you avoid giving in. i used gas because i was desperate, and i dont regret it, i could rest while i had the mask, i had control over how much it was getting, and i didnt use it for the last 2 1/2 hours while i was pushing so i could tell what was going on. and also, make sure your partner and doctor both know what your wishes are because they will be the ones to help you through the hardest part.

Rhea - posted on 01/01/2010

I WALKED ALOT DURING PREGNANCY IT HELPS TRUST ME!

Po - posted on 01/01/2010

massage helped me alot i've had 2 induced labors *Which i've been told are worse then 'normal labors'* and no pain meds either time

Rosie - posted on 01/01/2010

i had an epidural with all of mine, but i was to 8 cm. with my first labor before they gave me an epidural and found that focusing on something and keeping the situation lighthearted helped a little. good luckand congrats on the new baby.
also for pain after the baby and to help u push better, make sure u aren't a couch potato during pregnancy. i was and had a very hard time pushing and with my recovery. i am exercising now and finding alot of my aches and pains are going away and alot easier to deal with!

Michelle - posted on 01/01/2010

When you feel a contraction coming on, as it builds, your instinct will probably be to tense up, get nervous and panic a little. That's pretty much the worst thing you can do.

Instead, when you feel it coming, make a conscious effort to relax all your other muscles. Breath deeply and easily - and visualize your cervix opening up as you get ready to meet your new baby. Remember, the contractions aren't as long as they seem, and if you can relax and breath during them instead of tensing up, you'll get through just fine.

If you REALLY want to avoid drugs though, let people know - toward the end of my labor, I started to think drugs sounded pretty darned nice. My husband helped me remember I wanted to stand strong, and the memory of the pain began to fade as soon as that baby came out.

When it's time to push - and you'll probably know when it is - push with your whole lower body. Push like you really have to...ya know, go. Once I found the rhythm, my baby just about flew out. :)

Good luck!

Lisa - posted on 01/01/2010

I think staying calm was the most effective but I chickened out and got the epidural

Kristahiri - posted on 01/01/2010

For me the breathing techniques worked until i was told i was getting pitocin, i got scared of the pain and asked for an epidural. But it wore off when I started pushing which the dr said was ok that way I would feel the urge to push. I also had iv medicines which helped out a lot at the begining. I would say practice your breathing and research every posible way of dealing with pain during labor and choose they one you think would work best for you. Remeber try to stay relax if you stress you will feel the more, and like someone else mentioned try and stay focused on something.

Briony - posted on 01/01/2010

I would recommend you read a book called Labour Skills by Ju Ju Sundin, she writes about overloading your body's other senses through rocking, stamping, smelling, touching and focusing to help block the pain signals to your brain. It was extremely helpful for me, I managed my labour using these techniques and with the help of a little gas during transition. Also get in the tub, deep warm water is beautiful and really helps support your body while you're doing all that work. All the best! :)

Jodi - posted on 01/01/2010

Breathing and meditation where what got me through. I found that mind over matter is very important. I did use warm shower and bath as well, but the meditation and breathing were what got me through the worst of it. I couldn't stand the labour ball, and massage was absolute agony because I had back labour. Not being touched, breathing, meditating and allowing gravity to do its work (ie, do not lay down, I knelt with support) and relaxing as much as possible between contractions were the keys to me getting through without drugs....

Tina - posted on 01/01/2010

I felt the same way as you. We hired a birthing doula from the hospital and she was great. She showed us different techniques to help with the pain during labor and delivery. The only drug I used was stadol and that was because I was induced and needed to sleep.

Cassie - posted on 01/01/2010

I was the same way, I ended up getting an epidural but it was perfect. I took the initial dose and by the time I was fully dilated my epidural wore off. I felt everything, I was able to push, feel every contraction, I even got up right afterward. It was perfect bc it helped me get through the last 5cm, since my dr wouldn't break my water.
Just don't push the medicine button for any extra doses and you will probably have the same result, worked for me twice and my kids were perfect.
Dont worry too much though, it really is something to worry about at the "moment". You can plan and plan for delivery but your mind will change when you are there experiencing it, and thats OK!!!

Stephanie - posted on 01/01/2010

I found closing my eyes, breathing slowly through each contraction & squeazing either my Mom's or boyfriends hand helped me get through 3/4 of my HARD labor (which was just over 8 hours long) but then I ended up giving in and getting some demerol & the laughing gas because I was soo exhausted from being up all night the night before I gave birth from being in the early stages of labor.....

Best adivce....as most of the ladies have already said is to BREATH through each contraction & try to think of something else to take your mind off of the pain....it's not as bad as some women make it out to be. You'll do fine & good luck :)

Ashleigh - posted on 01/01/2010

takin a class could be very helpful!! i never got to take my class because of preterm labor and being on strick bed rest

Teresa - posted on 01/01/2010

breathing is always good :) Having your favorite music in the background to help you focus sometimes helps. Having your partner rub your back/shoulders (usually back). Shower, tub if your membranes are still intact. Also having a focus point. Bring in your favorite picture to stare at when the contractions get hard. Honestly if you can stay relaxed and focus to work with the contractions instead of against them your whole experience will be awesome!! Good luck.

Sarah - posted on 01/01/2010

I know it will be hard, but breathing in deep and letting it out slowly is really helpful. Have a great labor I know sometimes it will be hard but enjoy it, it will make the time with your baby mean so much more (I feel).

D - posted on 01/01/2010

consult your doctor about walking and exercising.

Jennifer - posted on 01/01/2010

This is just my personal opinion coming from a mom of 3 that had all three children completely natural....BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE!!!!! Take a class that will teach you how to breathe correctly through your contractions. It may sound silly (because I certainly thought so at the time), but it makes all the difference in the world! I promise you, if you breathe just the right way, it will help a ton!!!! Good Luck!!

D - posted on 01/01/2010

with my first I felt the same as you do, the best advice was given to me and don't worry twice it worked for me, the meds will only drag things out so no meds for me, I expereinced the best natural births there was, once the pains started i walked a hole in my moms carpet, I truly felt that helped also.Congrat's On Your New Baby!!!!!!! you'll be fine.oh yea Don't forget BREATH,BREATH,BREATH INHALE THRU YOUR NOSE EXALE THRU YOUR MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tami - posted on 01/01/2010

You can try having a focal point. When I was in labor, I concentrated more on getting the baby out and wasn't focused on the pain. I did not use pain medication in either pregnancy. During my second pregnancy, I barely noticed a lot of my contractions. My husband kept me talking though and we kept joking around. I think keeping your mind busy helps to keep from worrying about the pain. I think it also depends on how sensitive you are to pain.

Marlene - posted on 01/01/2010

i didnt get what pain u were talking about but if it labor pain if it the first stages then soak and walk alot it get better if u walk and not lay alot

Ashleigh - posted on 01/01/2010

i had an epidural and mine wore off and there was no time for more drugs, so i had to do it natural. one, trying to focus on something in the room and keeping your mind on that helps alot!! ask if you can have a candle or insence or something like lavender or a smell you really love. and having the people around you encouraging you will also help. and after its all over, you really dont even remember the pain. you can do it! good luck hun!

Lisa - posted on 01/01/2010

Jacuzzi & massage are great things during labor. Best wishes in the birth of your baby!

Kristen - posted on 01/01/2010

You could use the labor ball, its like an exercise ball you sit on but it helps with pressure.