Did your pain relief techniques work?

[Arcadia]

wrt embracing the pain, I think tashybabe's response is awesome. I too remember feeling some control over ctx by bringing them on stronger through stomping, walking and squatting etc...I wasn't trying to "relieve" them. I WANTED it to hurt because I knew it was doing something (maybe it was because I had Premature rupture of membranes and 18 hrs of prelabour so I had the fear of induction at the back of my mind).

I also used vocalisations, so saying "Yes, Yes, Yes" when it hurt, and my midwife helped a lot by helping me change from "Ow, ow, ow" to "Baby, baby, baby".

These are all things your support can help with.

My sister was also amazing, so when I was bellowing like a cow, she's say "yeeeeeesssss, that's right" in a similar tone....almost joining in?

Urgh...I also think "what have I done?", but we can do this!!!!!!!

[YoYo]

Haven't read other replies but I just got my thumb, and pressed it on my head between my eyebrows. I ended up with a bruise, but it sure did distract me!

[Shanti]

I had planned to use heat packs, breathing and moving around and that's about it and that's all I seemed to use! I went with what my body was telling me to do the whole time and whatever position felt comfortable, then I would use that position until it was no longer comfortable then I would move again. I planned to use the warm bath but I couldn't sit as DD was posterior and you just can't sit down when a baby is in that position!! Waaay too painful on your back so I stood and rocked the ENTIRE 9.5hrs of my labour...... exhausting yep, but it helped shorten my labour time...... considering she was OP!!

This time around, I plan to just do the same..... what really helped me was keeping a positive frame of mind the ENTIRE time. Any thoughts that entered my head like "this is too hard" were quickly vanished and I would ensure I was focusing on the pain instead of any negative thoughts entering my mind.... itms?

you can do it!!

I'm the opposite to some of you, the pain of contractions doesn't bother me, I thought they weren't too bad even during transition! I thought they'd get MUCH worse! But nope...... what WAS painful, was the stinging/burning/tearing pain I felt as DD's head emerged far out that was the worst pain..... LOL and pushing for 2hrs!! I just hope this time around its shorter.

[Arcadia]

I'm the opposite to some of you, the pain of contractions doesn't bother me, I thought they weren't too bad even during transition! I thought they'd get MUCH worse! But nope...... what WAS painful, was the stinging/burning/tearing pain I felt as DD's head emerged far out that was the worst pain..... LOL and pushing for 2hrs!! I just hope this time around its shorter.

Gah! Yes! Burning, stinging, crowning pain rate FAR worse for me than the ctx. I can still feel the burn of my labia and clitoris as she was crowning. OUCH!!!

[MissM]

Subbing :-) will come back and read the responses! This is something ive been going through lately too!

From SE Xperia x10a

[human bean]

I still swear by using rescue remedy during my labour...... easy to do as to keep hydrated you need to drink lots of water, so putting drops in your water bottle each time you refill can really help. I'm so excited for you and your birth....sending heaps of beautiful birthing vibes your way!

[mummajj]

i was really scared also. after each contraction i was wondering how i was going to get through another one. i hated the bath!! i needed to be upright during contractions to arch my back for some reason. heat packs were really nice.
also having my partners hand to have an arm wrestle with worked wonders to have something to focus on.(he was amazed at how strong i was lol)
you sound so well informed, im sure it will all go perfectly.

[Cricket]

You can do it! Really. You did it before, you can do it again. Believe that.

I personally found being in the water HEAVENLY! Even if waterbirth is not an option for you, see if you can spend some of your labour in the tub. You might find that you don't like it, but at least it will be an option to try.

Read Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin. It's full of stories of births, all different, and all natural. She's very good at recognizing the mind/body connection, and that is a key to good labour.

Penny Simkin, who is the founder of DONA International, says that women cope best when they have the "Three R's." Those are rhythm, ritual, and relaxation. So, tell your birth coach - DH? - to help you find something rhythmic to focus on through contractions, be that rocking, stroking your arm/hand/leg, whatever, counting to 4, 5, or 6 repeatedly, slowly, through the contraction, something like that. That is your rhythmic ritual, if you know what I mean. It's a slow, steady, constant focal point to distract your mind and keep you calm. And the other point - relaxation - is working not to fight the contractions during the contraction, and relaxing fully in between. I found that my fists were staying clenched, without even being aware of it in between contractions, and I needed a reminder to take a deep breath, blow it out slowly, and consciously relax and let that one go. You can google Penny Simkin and find more info if you want. She has a whole video of non-drug pain relief techniques, but I don't know if you have time to order it....? Maybe you could find a copy locally though.

All the best for a great birth, hun! You'll be wonderful.