A-Z of natural pain relief
Here's an A to Z of ideas to help you cope with pain and feel in control of your labour:
A: ask for information: the more you know, the more relaxed you'll feel
B: breathe rhythmically, and relax as you breathe out
C: cuddle your husband or birth companion
D: drink sips of water in between contractions
E: eat carbohydrate-rich foods when you feel hungry
F: fan yourself with a small electric fan
G: groan and moan: making a noise is a great form of pain relief!
H: hold your partner's hand
I: imagine your baby moving down through your pelvis with every contraction
J: joke with your partner and the midwife; keep things in perspective!
K: kisses (from your partner, Mum, sister, friend)
L: listen to music to help you relax
M: move around to make yourself as comfortable as possible
N: nestle down in a large pile of pillows or a huge bean bag
O: open your pelvis as wide as possible to help your baby be born, eg: kneel on one leg with the other out to the side
P: think positively: 'Each contraction brings me closer to the birth of my baby'
Q: question what you don't understand; being frightened will make the pain worse
R: rock your pelvis round and round and back and forwards with each contraction
S: sigh out gently with every breath
T: trust your body: you do know how to give birth!
U: understand the treatment being offered; if you understand, you can cooperate and make things easier
V: visit the toilet regularly; a full bladder will slow your labour
W: walk around to ease aches and pains and bring on contractions
X: more kisses!
Y: yell, loud and long, and then try to get back into a good breathing pattern
Z: zzzzzzz: doze off in between contractions
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