| Childbirth is one of the biggest fears a pregnant | | | | matters really; you have a job to do. For me, having |
| woman can have. Hearing stories from others of how | | | | people bother me and try to give me medication or |
| painful it is and how "awful" it is can make a first time | | | | disturb me would have made labor horrible. Being left |
| mother become very anxious about her own labor | | | | to deal with it on my own made it easier for me to |
| that is soon to occur. | | | | deal with. |
| However, childbirth isn't as bad as everyone makes it | | | | Of course though what you decide is up to you but |
| out to be and pain is a good thing. Only by having a | | | | it is worth researching and being prepared and |
| truly natural birth can you appreciate the pain you do | | | | making sure that someone can speak on your behalf |
| feel and what it gives you and your baby - in terms | | | | when you can't. |
| of well being and empowerment. | | | | Besides natural childbirth techniques such as breathing |
| The best way to reduce the pain during labor is to | | | | and relaxation techniques, of course there are pain |
| prepare for it. Knowing what to expect, | | | | medications you can get while in hospital. There |
| understanding your options and having a supportive | | | | include: |
| partner are all musts. Do not leave it all in the hands | | | | Reduced dosage - Reduced dosage of pain |
| of the medical staff - YOU know best when it | | | | medications allows you to have a greater range of |
| comes to you and your body. It is only by knowing | | | | function in your legs and you will be able to push well. |
| what you want and having support from someone | | | | There will also be a smoother progression of labor. |
| who has your best interests at heart can you really | | | | One example of this is the "walking epidural". The |
| relax when the time comes. | | | | "walking epidural" gives a woman enough mobility to |
| Currently, it is becoming more and more popular to | | | | move about in bed and change position but not |
| use pain management methods other than drugs. | | | | enough to walk. |
| Coping methods such as labor coaching, meditation | | | | Woman-controlled medication - This allows the |
| and hypnosis have been very helpful to many | | | | mother to dispense her own medication, allowing her |
| women. However the most commonly used form of | | | | to control the degree of pain she feels. One example |
| pain relief in the USA and used in almost two thirds | | | | of this that is becoming popular is woman-controlled |
| of labours is an epidural. | | | | epidural anesthesia. |
| Generally, from my own experience, I chose not to | | | | There are also other pain medications that you can |
| have drugs because I figured they would be more | | | | have. If you intend to use some sort of pain |
| hassle than they were worth and also because I did | | | | medication make sure you are clued up on all the |
| not want to affect my son. Using pain medication and | | | | ones available and what is available at the hospital |
| c-sections have been linked to post partum | | | | you intend to have birth at. If you have birth at |
| depression and also make it harder for mother and | | | | home, some options like an epidural will not be |
| child to bond as well, so I avoided them for this | | | | available to you. To get what you want you need to |
| reason too. Once in labor, I just zoned out. My focus | | | | know what there is as you will have to negotiate |
| was so much on the labor that I just laid down and | | | | with your doctor or midwife. |
| just went through the motions. Nothing around you | | | | |