The Parenting Corner: Pregnancy and Childbirth: Labor Tips

Labor Tips




Although I didn't experience a complete labor and natural childbirth, I was in labor for a good 9 or 10 hours. That time was one of the hardest of my life. Here are some tips that seemed to help me through the worst of the pain and fear.

Stay focused. The best way to "beat" the pain is to stay on top of your contractions. Whether you're hooked up to an internal or external monitor or not, you can tell when a contraction is building up. Prepare yourself for each contraction before it climaxes. Although the pain cannot vanish completely, this technique makes the contractions smoother and more manageable.

Breathe. If you didn't take a Lamaze class (as I didn't), it is helpful to know how to effectively breathe. If you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth you will prevent the cotton mouth that is so incredibly uncomfortable. And breathe in time with your contractions, and focus on each breath you take during your contractions. This will help you prepare for and let you begin to relax after each one.

Stay positive. Labor pain can easily be described as the greatest you'll ever experience to some women (like myself). Some handle the pain better due to higher pain tolerance. Find out what the nurses and/or the doctor suggest as pain relief, whether it be medicine or not. Please don't feel like a failure if you need to ask for medication, and don't feel like you have to ask for it if you don't need it. Also, focus on the child within struggling to be born that day. The reward of seeing your baby for the first time is enough to cheer anyone up.

Don't feel bad. About snapping at loved ones, that is! Labor is a personal process that may make you agitated and irritable, especially toward someone you love who is trying to help. I hear husbands get yelled at a lot! I got irritated at my grandmother one time when she was asking all of these questions about the equipment surrounding me. Whatever you say or do is not something you should feel upset about later. You are having a baby; that is an extremely big deal. Do what you must to make your labor better; if it means snapping at the daddy-to-be, apologize later. He loves you no matter what!




© 1997 Monica Emery

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