Alternative Pain Relief

You may not want to think about labour pains but accepting that birth is likely to involve some pain will help you handle it on the day.

Even if you’re fixed on having an epidural, alternative pain relievers could help make your early labour (before you go into hospital) a more positive experience. And if you’ve decided to just see how it goes, these could make all the difference to how you cope with the demands of labour. Here are some drug-free ways to ease the pain.

Support
Good support from a birth partner can help you relax, reducing the need for pain relief. A Doula UK survey found that 15% of women supported by a doula had an epidural, compared with a 33% national average. You can normally have two birth partners in hospital and even more at a home birth, if you feel comfortable with a crowd! Choose someone you trust to boost your morale and keep you, and themselves, calm – it could be your partner, a female relative or even a friend.

Mind over matter
Positive mental attitude? Classes on natural birth techniques have come under fire recently, with a new study claiming they make little difference to birth outcomes. But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t benefit. You could take up hypnotherapy, either by joining a class or buying a CD (natalhypnotherapy.com). It involves getting into the same state of mind as when you’re daydreaming – handy if you’re in extreme pain because you can remove yourself from the situation. The idea is that it helps to reduce labour pain without the need for artificial relief. Visualisation is another technique; this uses mental images and the power of suggestion to help you ‘see’ yourself in labour. It’s best to practise visualisation in the last one or two weeks of pregnancy. Using these images while in labour can help to keep you focused and positive.

Reflexology
Reflexology – an ancient form of foot massage – is renowned for helping bring on labour and ease birth pain. It works on the principle that every part of the body corresponds to a point on your feet. Work is focused on the points relating to hormones that trigger contractions and the pelvic area to try to stimulate labour. It’s recommended you have reflexology during your pregnancy to prepare your body for labour, as well as on the day itself. Visit aor.org.uk to find a reflexologist.

Active birth
Rolling on a birthing ball, pacing the floor, pulling yoga stretches… However you do it, keeping active during labour can help you remain comfortable, get through contractions and even shuffle your baby through the birth canal. To prepare for an active birth, join a pregnancy yoga class now. It will help your posture, focus your mind and invariably proves the perfect place for a 20-minute doze. Many women also find the breathing techniques invaluable during labour. To find details of pregnancy yoga classes, active birth training courses and products to help on the day, visit activebirthcentre.com. The Active Birth Centre is run by Janet Balaskas, the pioneer of active birth.

Water
Labouring in water is one of the most effective forms of pain relief, because water both relaxes you and eases the pain of contractions. Water births frequently result in shorter labours and less need for pharmaceutical pain relief. Most NHS hospitals and birthing centres provide birthing pools, although numbers will be limited. Even if you don’t want to give birth in water, baths are often available for pain relief before you’re at the pushing stage.Ask at your hospital whether there are birth pools. You can also buy or hire your own for a home birth and may even be able to bring it with you to hospital – check with them. Find out more at thegoodbirth.co.uk.

Massage
If you usually find a massage soothing, chances are you will in labour, too. A slow-starting massage is best; frantic rubbing will make you feel panicky rather than relaxed. Firm pressure helps stimulate your body to release endorphins, the feel-good hormones that make massage such a positive experience, thereby alleviating pain.

Essential oils
Massaged into your skin, put in a bath or added to steaming water, essential oils can help ease labour pain. If used from the second trimester, lavender oil is said to relax and reduce pain. Clary sage is a warm, woody oil that is used as a natural pain reliever during labour. To find an aromatherapy practitioner, visit ifparoma.org, or for information on DIY treatments and pregnancy-friendly massage oils, see vitaltouch.com. Always consult your GP before using essential oils for advice on how to use them and which oils are safe for you.