- Get Wet
Erin Odom of the Humbled Homemaker said, “The water was the most comforting pain relief technique for me!”
Water for childbirth is nothing new, but some women have discovered its powers of taking laboring pain away.
It is so effective at quickening labor and making it less intense that facilities all over are beginning to offer more water submersion options, like birthing pools.
Pregnancy and Labor reported:
“The drugs commonly used to aid in childbirth actually interfere with your body’s ability to release these chemicals.
Our bodies offer a reward for the exertion of labor — narcotic-like painkilling chemicals called endorphins, or bets-endorphins, that circulate in the blood stream
Most women relax as soon as they enter warm water. It lowers adrenaline and encourages endorphins.”
So, get into the shower, the birthing tub, or use some hot compresses, and find relief in nature’s epidural.
- Get A Massage
In an article titled “Pregnancy and Labor Massage” published by the National Institute of Health, Tiffany Field explains the benefits of utilizing massages during labor:
“In a study of labor pain, women who received massage therapy experienced significantly less pain, and their labors were on average 3 h shorter with less need for medication.
Not to mention, massages are awesome in and of themselves, but the fact that they take labor pain away is an added bonus.
Living and Loving reveals the underlying reason massages are so effective:
“Massage enables the body to release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones and natural pain killers. They lift your mood and help to ease the pain of contractions. Massage during labour also has been known to reduce anxiety, making expectant moms feel more at ease and able to cope better.”
It doesn’t have to be a professional full body massage, but any rubbing and pressure on areas that you are feeling stressed in during the contractions. Your doula, spouse, or midwife could all perform this nicely for you.