Lamaze Magazine 2008 - (Page 19) 4. Express Your Fears Are you worried about labor pain, needles, medicines or losing control? Speak with a knowledgeable and trusted friend, childbirth educator or doula. Voicing your concerns can bring relief, as well as practical solutions to your concerns. Stating your preferences in a birth plan can also assuage fears (see page 7). 5. Practice Rhythmic Breathing Breathe fully in a slow rhythm during contractions. Release tension with each exhale and try moaning. Also try taking quick breaths, about one every 2 to 3 seconds (20 to 30 per minute). If you lose your rhythm, your partner needs to help you regain it with eye contact, rhythmic hand or head movements, or by talking you through contractions. 6. Use Imagery and Visualization Focusing on something that makes you happy (like your partner’s face, an inspirational picture or favorite object) engages your senses and decreases your awareness of pain. Listen to music, a soothing voice or a recording of ocean waves, and imagine yourself on the beach or in another relaxing environment. 7. Take a Warm Shower or Bath A warm shower is soothing, especially if you can sit on a stool and direct a handheld showerhead onto your abdomen or back. Bathing in warm water can relax you, and it may even speed up labor. 8. Keep Moving Move around as much as you can. Walk, lean, sway, rock and squat. Some positions will be more comfortable than others (see page 15 for some that are tried and true). 9. Seek Relief with Warm or Cool Compresses Place a warm gel pack on your lower abdomen, groin, lower back or shoulders during labor. An ice bag, frozen gel pack or latex glove filled with ice chips can soothe painful areas. Cool cloths relieve a sweaty face or chest. 10. Indulge in Gentle Touch and Massage Whether it’s someone holding your hand, stroking your cheek or hair, or patting your hand or shoulder, touch conveys reassurance, caring and understanding. Have your partner or doula massage you with light or firm strokes using oil or lotion. | You’ll be amazed at your ability to discover and stay in your comfort zone. Relief Rx You might not know exactly how much pain relief you’ll need until you’re in labor. So even if your first choice is not to use medication, it may be your Plan B. Get informed now about the options. Pain-relief medication can be a valuable way to manage certain types of births. If comfort measures like continuous emotional and physical support are unavailable, or if you experience back labor or a very long labor, medication may be a good option for you. Plus, the more restrictions your place of birth puts on your ability to work with your contractions – such as the routine use of continuous electronic fetal monitoring and IVs – the more likely it is that you will need medication. Here are four commonly used options: Epidural An epidural is the most frequently used procedure for pain relief. A catheter is placed in the lower back, in between two membranes covering the spinal cord, and a regional anesthetic or narcotic – or a combination of both – is injected into the catheter. It usually results in complete pain relief. Epidurals affect the course of labor and do cross the placental barrier. Narcotics Less frequently, a woman is offered a narcotic, such as Demerol. It takes the edge off the contractions and may bring on drowsiness. A narcotic can affect the baby and may cause respiratory depression after birth. High doses may decrease your memory of labor. Sterile Water Block For back labor, a sterile water block is an effective way to decrease pain and enhance comfort. A tiny amount of water is injected under the skin at four points on the lower back.The injection stings but offers relief.There are no known side effects. Spinal Anesthetic In a cesarean, either an epidural anesthetic or spinal anesthetic is most widely used. For spinal anesthesia, medication is injected beneath the inner membrane covering the spinal cord. It gives deeper, faster pain relief. Rarely is general anesthesia recommended for a cesarean. PHOTO: MEL YATES/GETTY LAMAZE MAGAZINE 2008 19 LAMAZE.ORG http://LAMAZE.ORG
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