Labour help!

[KarenM]

Okay girls...need some help.
I am in labour and I am doing well with the breathing but I am noticing that I am clenching up my muscles through each contraction which I don't want to do as I know the impact that this can have on pain levels but I am finding it a bit hard to relax through them.
Any advice?
Thanks
Karen

[~Flossie~]

oh, wow.. all the best ! I am unable to offer any advise.. sorry.. my labours were all fast and furious!

how far apart are your contractions??

[KarenM]

About 10 minutes but sometimes as close as 5.

[levi'smum]

close your eyes and count with the contraction and breath in and out with each number this should relax your muscles. also fiddle with something a stress ball or a rubber band something like that it does work

[Visitor7]

- suck on some ice during each contraction
- bend up and down during each contraction with counting
- concentrate really hard on your breathing, trying to slow it down

Is there anyone at home with you that can help with the counting, or giving you water/ice?
Good luck and hopefully it'll be nice and quick.

[DoulaRelle]

I used to focus on my breathing - in and out, in and out, that and saying to myself, this is one contraction closer to seeing my baby. I also would find a spot to focus on while I breathed- Goodluck hun

[KarenM]

Yep my husband is here and he is doing a great job.
I am reading BB to distract myself!
Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

[Visitor7]

WOW!! You are doing great to be able to get on here to distract yourself. Mine were 2 minutes apart from beginning to end and there was no way I was able to concentrate on anything else.

Just keep active, move around heaps, and remember the breathing!

[DoulaRelle]

Karen, I am hoping to be able to distract myself with bb while in labour this time!

[Snacks]

Wow Karen, hope things are progressing really well for you!
Use your voice too...? Low noises are good - I wasn't always good at this, but when I relaxed and just let my body do it, it helped a lot with relaxing.
All the very best!

[KarenM]

Hi everyone
Just thought I would give you the update!
My waters broke soon after I posted on Friday and the labour progressed pretty fast from there. Sophie Ella was born 5:53pm. I ended up with an epidural as I wasn't able to get the relaxation thing under control, but I am completely happy with how the birth went. I had done lots of research and was very well informed but you can't underestimate how important practising relaxation prior to labour is. Labour and birth is just the most amazing process and the best thing I have ever done!
Thanks for your suggestions
Karen

[DoulaRelle]

Karen that is fantastic and thankyou so much for coming back and giving us the final update! You go girl - well done!!!!!

[Snacks]

Congratulations Karen! Welcome to little Sophie!

[Visitor7]

Karen - congratulations!! It doesn't matter how the labour turned out, as long as you're happy with the result and you and bub are fine.
Welcome to world little Sophie