Non-pharmacological methods of relieving labor pain – vertical positions, breathing techniques

Water immersion

Water immersion is nothing more than a warm shower or bath. For many people, this is a mundane activity, but during labor it can work wonders. It has relaxing and loosening properties. It is extremely useful at the beginning of the I. period of labor, when contractions are becoming increasingly regular and painful, but the obstetric situation does not yet prompt, for example, the use of epidural anesthesia. This is also one of the methods used to distinguish between predictive contractions and labor contractions, as predictive contractions should subside after a bath.

Aromatherapy

An increasingly widely used non-pharmacological method of pain relief in delivery rooms is aromatherapy, which uses natural extracts. They have a relaxing effect, thus leading to a reduction in the pain experienced by the parturient. Among the most common oils are lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, orange oil or geranium oil.  

Vertical positions and activity of the parturient

Vertical positions and activity during labor is one of the elements of modern obstetrics. Increasingly, the forced position of lying on the back throughout labor is being abandoned in favor of activity and position changes by the woman in labor. This makes it easier for the baby to insert well into the birth canal, and gravity facilitates the lowering of the head. The mother-to-be can swing her hips or jump on the ball assisted by a companion. It also has a calming and relaxing effect.

Read more:
Vertical positions during childbirth

Breathing techniques

Breathing during labor plays a very important role. Not only does it ensure proper oxygenation of the baby, but it also calms the parturient and helps her work during labor. It is a good idea to learn breathing techniques even before the solution, for example, in classes at a birthing school. The midwife in labor will also instruct on how to breathe properly during contractions, so that they are as uncomfortable as possible and the woman in labor does not waste energy unnecessarily.

Massage

For many women, relief from labor contractions comes from lumbar and sacral massage. It can be performed by a midwife or a person accompanying the parturient. In addition to reducing back pain, the touch has a relaxing and calming effect. Warm compresses or an oil of choice can also be useful.

Non-pharmacological methods of relieving labor pain do not reduce discomfort as effectively as pharmacological methods, but they are often complementary to them and should be offered to every woman in labor. 

Read also:
Methods of relieving labor pain