by N Zinser

Created on: May 20, 2009   Last Updated: May 22, 2009

Coping with labor is essential to a good and healthy delivery. But when facing the idea of a painful labor, how is one supposed to deal with hours of pain? A great tool to use during this time is hypnobirthing, but there are many other ways to cope as well: sensory ways, for example, like lighting, music, even aromatherapy can be used; or other ways of relaxing such as deep breathing, massage, walking, or even taking a shower at the earlier stages of labor can be helpful.

Hypnobirthing

While this term 'hypnobirthing' seems a bit hokey, it is essentially a series of meditative exercises to center yourself. It is a simple technique, but does require some training and practice in leading up to the "big day"! When I was pregnant with my son, my wish was to go through labor without medication, and hypnobirthing helped me to achieve my goal. The idea behind hypnobirthing is nothing new; women have used it for hundreds of years. With the high levels of caesarian sections and epidurals in today's world of childbirth, a desire to return to a natural form of childbirth has had a resurgence.Hypnobirthing classes are readily available, or you can train yourself at home: there are books, CDs, and DVDs that are available as well. I did the training at home, and following the reading of the book Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan, I did the meditation techniques that are on the CD that is offered with the book. The meditation techniques are focusing exercises that you modify to fit your person, and definitely come to good use during labor.

Sensory

Other ways of coping are sensory. Using dim lighting can help with relaxation - provided your hospital room has a dim switch. If not, you can turn off most of the lighting in the room, and close blinds and curtains. Playing soft music that you find relaxing can help as well, but make sure it is not too loud: the idea of listening to music that is too loud during a critical moment like transition can be incredibly irritating, as well as distracting. Many aromatherapy smells can be used to aid your relaxation: lavender, rose, jasmine and chamomile help, but it is also important to consider that sense of smell and adverse reactions to it may be heightened during labor. Keeping your husband or birth coach informed of any adverse reaction can have them remove the smell quickly. Citrus or mint oils can help with nausea in this respect. Using an electric diffuser is a safe way to use aromatherapy during labor.

Other Ways to Relax

Walking during the earlier stages of labor is helpful in keeping yourself occupied, speeding up the process, and it is helpful in lessening the pain. Slow, deep breathing is also key. Once your breathing quickens, stress levels can elevate, resulting in higher awareness of pain and increased anxiety. Massage can help with the anxiety, but you may also be sensitive to another's touch; keeping your husband informed of irritation from touching can save you unwanted stress. Another way of helping go through labor is taking a shower. Baths are not advisable, unless you are planning on a water birth. The water pressure and heat from a shower on your lower back is incredible for pain relief, as well as relaxation.

While these are only a few techniques that are at a woman's disposal during labor, they have been very helpful to many women in coping, including myself. It is hard to predict how you will feel or react when you are in labor if you've never gone through it, but a good way to approach labor is to know what relaxes you personally. There is no right way or wrong way to cope, it is whatever makes you feel more at ease. Being relaxed is key to a successful and healthy labor and delivery.

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