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Pain relief during labour

The natural way to a pain-free birth

Pregnancy’s a time many women explore alternative therapies for the first time, so why stop at the labour room door?

When thinking about pain relief for your birth it’s very easy to think ‘gimme the drugs’ but, have you considered more natural ways in which you could relieve those birthing pains?

From homeopathy to hypnotherapy, they can help you relax and control your pain rather than taking something to prevent it, and as a result provide a far more natural and stress-free experience.

Homeopathy

What is it?

Homeopathy uses tablets containing a tiny amount of a natural ingredient (e.g. extracts of plants, venom, minerals) to stimulate the body’s own healing power.

How does it work?

Homeopathic remedies can prepare your womb, help you cope during birth and recover afterwards.

Any proof?

A French study of 90 women taking a combined remedy found that their labour time was shortened by 40 per cent and complications fell substantially.

Be Prepared

It’s best to visit a homeopath during the fifth month of your pregnancy. He or she will take a medical history and prescribe the remedies suitable for you. You can also request your homeopath to be present at the birth, or your partner can dole out the remedies.

Can I do it myself?

Find a Therapist

Contact the Society of Homeopaths at homeopathy-soh.org or call 0845 450 6611.
The bottom line

The first consultation with a homeopath (11/2 hours) usually costs from £50; follow-up appointments cost from £30.

Reflexology

What is it?

Nerve endings at points on your feet and hands correspond to other parts of the body. Stimulating these points can soothe pain and help you relax.

How does it work?

During labour, points affecting hormone production, the womb, the back and the chest are stimulated by applying pressure.

Any proof?

Danish research found almost 97 per cent of women using reflexology experienced ‘outstanding pain relief’.

Be Prepared

Consult a reflexologist a few months before you’re due. Book up several sessions to learn which points help you.

Can I do it myself?

Your reflexologist can be at the birth, or a clued-up partner can help.

Find a Therapist

Visit aor.org.uk

The bottom line: One session (45-60 minutes) costs £25-£30.

Aromatherapy

What is it?

Aromatherapy uses the therapeutic powers of essential oils from plants and herbs. These oils – which energise, uplift and soothe anxiety – can be inhaled, or used for massage diluted in base oil.

How does it work?

Aromatherapy oils can induce deep relaxation, encourage the release of labour hormones and lessen pain. Lavender, clary sage and geranium can all be used safely during labour. Mix essential oils with a base oil for massage, sprinkle a few drops on a tissue and inhale, or use in a spray.

Any proof?

An eight-year study of a midwifery practice using aromatherapy found that clary sage and chamomile helped reduce pain. Aromatherapy also helped reduce anxiety and strengthen contractions.

Be Prepared

Some oils shouldn’t be used during pregnancy, so make sure you consult a qualified aromatherapist after your first trimester. And not all oils are the same quality, so use oils recommended by your aromatherapist.

Can I do it myself?

Simply use the oils your aromatherapist recommends during labour or try Teach Yourself Aromatherapy by Denise Whichello Brown (£9.99, teachyourself.co.uk)

The bottom line

A treatment lasts 60-90 minutes and costs £20-£40.

Massage

What is it?

Kneading the body relaxes muscles, eases pain and soothes anxiety.

How does it work?

Massaging the lower back eases labour backache and can soothe the pain of contractions by triggering the release of pain-relieving endorphins.

Any proof?

Two recent studies, in Turkey and Taiwan, found that mums receiving massage during labour perceived less pain, felt less anxious and had a more positive birth experience.

Be Prepared

You and your partner should attend an antenatal class (see below) to learn how to massage. Then practise (though don’t massage the abdomen in early pregnancy).

Can I do it myself?

Your partner’s healing hands are all you need. He should use slow, firm strokes, a little oil, and his hands should be warm. Bear in mind though, that you may find you don’t want to be touched in labour.

Find a Class

Ask your midwife about hospital classes; visit activebirthcentre.com for local Active Birth teachers; visit nct.org.uk for NCT classes. Book early and check your teacher covers massage.

Acupuncture

What is it?

Fine needles are inserted into points that correspond to other areas, restoring energy flow and helping ease pain.

How does it work?

Acupuncture primes your uterus, relieves pain from contractions, and can speed up dilation.

Any proof?

Studies in Sweden, Norway and Korea have found acupuncture decreases pain, lowers the need for drugs, shortens labour and leads to less intervention.

Be Prepared

Visit an acupuncturist in the five weeks before you’re due. Specific points can be stimulated to prepare your uterus.

Can I do it myself?

You’ll need a trained acupuncturist. If he can’t attend the birth itself, the British Acupuncture Council advises having acupuncture before the birth, then using a TENS machine (hired from Boots).

Find a Therapist

Visit acupuncture.org.uk or call 020 8735 0400

The bottom line

Pre-labour sessions cost £40-50 an hour.

Hypnotherapy

What is it?

Hypnotherapy enables you enter a state of deep relaxation, reducing fear and stress.

How does it work?

Fear triggers the release of stress hormones, interrupting the production of the labour hormone oxytocin and directing blood away from your womb. Using hypnotherapy techniques, you can relieve fear, leaving your body to get on with the natural process of childbirth.

Any proof?

A review of research in 2004 found hypnotherapy reduced the need for drug-based pain relief.

Be Prepared

HypnoBirthing teacher Sarah Ockwell-Smith recommends classes from 12 weeks as the best way to learn techniques. ‘Hypnotherapy teaches you that pain is not necessary part of childbirth. You unlearn negative images of birth and learn ways to self-hypnotise and enter deep relaxation.’

Can I do it myself?

There are CDs you can use at home – like the Effective Birth Preparation CDs (£16 plus p&p) by Natal Hypnotherapy – although it’s useful to attend HypnoBirthing classes. You can then practise the techniques you’ve used yourself when you’re in labour.

Find a Therapist

For HypnoBirthing practitioners, see hypnobirthing.co.uk. For CDs see natalhypnotherapy.co.uk.

The bottom line

HypnoBirthing classes cost from £200.