What was your favourite, non-medical pain relief?

[BellyBelly]

I'm compiling an article and would love your comments (no more than a paragraph but more than one sentence!) about what your favourite method of natural pain relief was in labour. I'd love anything you thought helped you cope with the pain, even if it was eating bananas or hopping in the bath, keeping active or whatever! Thanks ladies!!!

[BellyBelly]

Great one, thanks PC!!! More please!!!

[doulacara]

My absolute fave is the bath - instant relief. I won't ever birth out of one again.

2nd would be massage - pressure on the sacrum is what did it for me. During my 3rd labour, my then 4yo DD watched my DH do it and then when he left the room to attend to our DS, she tried to do it for me when she saw the next contraction coming - one of those special moments I will treasure forever.

[blue daisy]

the BATH and sacral counter pressure with lavender oil rub...all at once...do you want a photo Kel Ihave some great B&W of my team hard at work and me looking like a serene goddess

all that and thoughts of breathing as I would working through a yoga pose, during a contraction

oh, and using self relaxation (aka HypnoBirthing)

xx yogababy

[sushee]

Number one for me was the hot shower too, but a close second would be rocking while leaning on DH.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

In early labour, I loved Scrabble! Whilst everything was getting ready to go, I could sit comfortably staring at those little letters taking my mind off the twinges going on. I later added a TENS machine to the scrabble board to take the edge off the contractions and to help me get used to the machine.

Keeping a sense of humour helped too - admittedly, when things went pear-shaped I needed it for a different reason, but you if can keep everything in perspective then that does help.

[BellyBelly]

Just one please ladies! You can mention more thats fine, but I would love to know your #1 bestest thing ever!!!! Just as long as I know which one it is you can talk about others all you like

[sushee]

Oh and music witrh headphones on helped me to focus so much. I listened jazz on my walkman (yes this was 13 years ago so no ipods back then ) for 8 straight hours and didn't need any pain relief that whole time,

[Enchanted]

Don't laugh .......but sitting on the toilet seemed to be quite comfortable which eased my pain I guess.. as I felt more relaxed... does that count?!?

[chon]

For those (like me) who were attached to a drip (because of my GD) it would of been sitting on the edge of the bed with my feet up on a chair and DP rubbing my back, when the contraction peaked I would kick the chair and stomp my feet with my head on my DP's shoulder, ..............sounds weird typing it oh well

[Trillian]

Probably walking for me - I hated it at the time (just ask my Dh how much I complained LMAO) but it did give me something to focus on as we walked a set 'path' around the hospital and it usually worked out that when I got back to a certain point, I would have another contraction and it seemed to really help.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I loved the loo too when I was pushing - so much so I had a chamberpot to help!

But scrabble was still the best.

[Liz]

I was attached to a drip and also a monitor, but was able to get up and move around enough to relieve pain. I didn't really do much actually LOL - the shower didn't appeal to me at all.. I basically stood up for my contractions and swayed through them leaning over the table.. and once the contraction had gone took a mouthful of jelly! LOL.

You won't like this one Kelly but my best relief came from DH being able to watch the monitor and tell me when it had peaked and that it was going now LOL. However, since I highly doubt you'll use that - mine would be simply breathing & swaying.

[chon]

I was attached to a drip and also a monitor, but was able to get up and move around enough to relieve pain.

I tried that once, but I got so irritated with everyone following me with the stuff that was attached and making sure the lines didnt get twisted and stuff

[soul]

Squeezing my hubbies hand and meditating with breath focusing. And listening to whale music! Felt like one so it was perfect!

[Phteven]

For me it was being in the shower, not just because the warm water helps with physical pain but also from a psychological perspective being a hot shower always makes me feel safer and more relaxed. Even when I'm not in labour it's great stress relief.

[MantaRay]

Given my quick labours and no time for bath showers etc, the number one thing during labour was position - on my knees leaning forward with legs spread. But the very best pain relief of all was holding my baby at the end!

[Rachel]

The shower - i sat in the shower on a fitball, leaning forward on the bars for 2 and a half hours. had one forcet over my head and the other one DH was spraying on my lower back, It was fantastic, relaxing and comfortable. definetly go the water!