Lamaze Magazine 2009

4. Express Your Fears are you worried about pain and labor, 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 help calm fears (see page 8). 5. Practice Rhythmic Breathing Breathe fully in a slow rhythm during contractions. release tension with each exhalation 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 in a 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 14 for some that are tried and true). 9. Seek Relief with Warm or Cool Compresses Place a warm pack on your lower abdomen, groin, lower back or shoulders during labor. A cold pack or latex glove filled with ice chips can soothe painful areas. Cool cloths relieve a sweaty face, chest or neck. 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. | When you’re treated with respect and patience, you can more easily find your best coping mechanisms. Relief Rx Pain-relief medication can be a valuable way to manage certain types of birth. Here are common options: If comfort measures are unavailable, or if you experience back labor or a very long labor, medication may be a good option for you. Epidural An epidural is the most frequently used procedure for pain relief. A catheter is placed in the lower back, between two membranes covering the spinal cord, and a regional anesthetic and/or narcotic is injected into the catheter. However, epidurals are not without risk or side effects. Research shows that medical interventions are more likely following the use of an epidural. That’s because it interferes with the natural labor process. It can slow labor and the numbness often reduces a woman’s effectiveness to push. Epidurals also cross the placental barrier. And a common side effect is maternal fever. If this fever is still present at birth, the baby is very likely to be taken to the neonatal intensive care unit.This separation is not only upsetting, but can make the start of breastfeeding and bonding challenging. 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 and feeding problems 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. 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. Spinal anesthesia shares the same risks and side effects as an epidural. Photo: Mel yates/Getty lamaze maGazINe 2009 19 lamaze.orG http://www.lamaze.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Lamaze Magazine 2009

Lamaze Magazine 2009 Contents Essential Lamaze for Pregnancy Making Connections Body Beautiful Birth Day, Your Way Mother Knows Best Essential Lamaze for Birth Supporting Cast Labor Day Position Statement Comfort Zone Intervention Intelligence The Waiting Game Essential Lamaze for Parenting Nursing School Reality Check Sleep Tight Unforgettable

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