What was your favourite, non-medical pain relief?

Yeah Relle, I would have to say that breathing is a close second. And only second because if you are lying on your back or sitting in the car no breathing in the world will stop the pain.

My favourite form of non-medical pain relief was most definitely the bath. I spent alot of my first stage in there, using gas only when I got to 7cms. Funnily enough, I wanted to get out once I was fully dilated, but I have wonderful memories of the time I spent in there, especially with my DH massaging my back.

I second the rocking/swaying, breathing, and shower, in that order too!

I dont know if this is helpful but its how I got through my labour. I was in an accident 10+ years ago, which left me with permanent spinal damage and in constant pain. In 2002 I learnt a technique called "The Gate Theory" through the municipal Pain Clinic. They taught me how to close the gates to pain without anything but thought. I couldn’t have survived the last 10 years without it and I also used this very technique during labour. It worked a charm. Even the midwives commented how high my pain tolerance was and how alert and clam I stayed throughout my labour.
Check it out there is a study book called: The Chronic Pain Control Workbook by Ellen Mohr Catalano. She explains the Gate Control Theory well.
K

I have to say corkscrewing on the fitball was the best for me, but you'd know that ;) And definitely ice cold flannels without them contrax felt worse for some reason.

*hugs*
Cailin

The fitball was definitely much appreciated, but also heat packs on my lower back - particularly with DS who was posterior. Absolute blessing :)

Oh OK...

I found one of the best forms of pain relief during labour was definitely our doula. Whilst I may have had different techniques to help me through labour pains, my doula was the one who helped me to find the best method of drug free relief for the stage of birth I was at. The support she offered throughout also helped me to stay focused which in itself is pain relief, as stress only leads to pain and she was able to help me keep calm.

How's that ;)

*hugs*
Cailin

number 1 for me would have to be the bath...no one would of got me out without a fight :)

Doula's don't recommend themselves as a form of pain relief tho do they? Surely it still comes down to bath/shower/massage/breathing.. perhaps at the suggestion from a doula.. but I wouldn't list a doula as a form of non-medical pain relief?

I haven't used a doula.. just my thoughts :)

Considering women who use doulas have 60% less epidurals and 30% pain relief requests, then I would say most definitely. I dont think any of my clients in two, nearly three years have had epidurals and are from all walks of life. Perhaps one or two with peth, that's it. One who had an epidural I did not work with post-natally, I was a back-up. All hospital births, mostly birth centres but also private.

Having great support reduces the need for medication and reduces pain and discomfort. If you are relaxed and safe pain is less. Fear --> Tension --> Pain.

OK.. well I didn't have a doula.. but I could list my DH as the best form of pain relief then :) He supported me 100% for no drugs. But ultimately.. it was the breathing & swaying LOL.

I've told her before quite a few times. I think had she not been there I would have caved through fear related to my c/s scar. And in no way was Kelly like "NO YOU ARE NOT HAVING DRUGS" she just helped support me through the tough parts, and helped me to stay focused so that I didn't resort to drugs. And having a VBAC, thanks to society I did have a level of fear so I am grateful that Kelly was present because I'm not sure that my VBAC would have been drug free or even successful without her.

ETA: And whilst I love Marc and he was brilliant I don't think I'd list him as drug relief, a good midwife is a good drug relief, but not Marc before that birth. However if I had to have another birth very possibly as I think Kelly & Di taught him some great skills.

*hugs*
Cailin

Don't get me wrong - I'm not not disputing that doula's reduce the pain relief requests :) It just seems an odd thing to list as a form of non medical pain relief that's all. Coz even if it was the doula massaging my back.. I still wouldnt' list the doula as the pain relief, i'd list the massage as the answer to the initial question :) I see 'doula' as an answer to "what helped you avoid medical pain relief?". In which case my answer could still be DH :) He was a great advocate for what I wanted, reminded me throughout, and even went & told off the midwife for me LOL :)

Awww I love it when I hear those stories :) I guess for us the first time I never had the support or knowledge that I have now, nor did Marc. We are very lucky :)

*hugs*
Cailin

I know you aren't disputing that, all good! Just explaining :)

But isnt that what non-medical pain relief does, help you avoid medical pain relief? I just wanted to add something else in there to help couples see that there are many things they can do to reduce their chances of needing medical pain relief :)

Well.. admittedly it was a pretty smooth labour.. even tho I was on the drip. Perhaps if I'd had certain fears (such as yourself being a vbac) or things hadn't gone so smoothly, DH might not have been so good! LOL.

I know this will sound crazy, but the best 'pain releif' for me was pulling my hair. :redface: As a contraction became unbearable, I'd grab a big handful at the back of my head & pull it really hard. I think it helped me shift my focus onto something else. I couldn't have gotten through labour without doing it!

Do you think it was more a distraction or was it massage for your head? Some women like head massages in labour :)

Nope - definitely not massage LOL - it hurt!! But that's what I needed. :dunno:

ETA - and I wouldn't have let anyone else massage me either. I must be strange. :redface: