How will I cope with pain?
Labour is a painful process, but your body is designed for it. The vast majority of women cope well in labour, and many women even enjoy it. During labour your body produces certain hormones, which help the progress of labour. It is important to speak to your midwife regarding your worries or fears, as reducing anxieties reduces pain.
Sometimes the simplest things make all the difference. Massage, relaxing music, breathing techniques, changing position, hot water bottles, showers, baths and soothing warm drinks are all helpful in labour.
Most women find that using the birthing pool is an effective way of reducing the pain of labour and it does not interfere with your own pain relieving hormones. Some feel no need for further support but many use the pool in conjunction with Entonox (gas and air). The beauty of Entonox is that, although it offers beneficial pain relief, the effect wears off soon after each contraction, leaving you in control to go with the flow of your labour. You can use water and Entonox throughout your labour, however long that may be, and there will be no known harmful side-effect.
The use of self-hypnosis and visualisation in preparation for and during labour is becoming very popular, and can be extremely effective. Angus midwives will support your use of such techniques.
The promise of 'pain relief' from drugs sounds attractive but there are good reasons to avoid such medical interventions in a straightforward birth. Occasionally, however, extra help such as an injection of Diamorphine is appropriate as it can help you to relax, and the contractions will feel less painful. Diamorphine will travel through the umbilical cord and your baby will have some effect from it. It will sometimes slow your labour down, cause confusion and anxiety or make you feel a bit sick. It is hard to know what effect a strong drug will have on you before you have tried it, but it is important to know that it is available for you should you require it. Unfortunately you are advised to come out of the pool to have Diamorphine .
The following article and book give more information about why pain is part of birth and how, with the right support and preparation, you will cope with a straightforward labour:
'Help yourself to a straightforward birth' by midwife Jilly Rosser
'Positive Pain' by Adela Stockton.
For more in-depth information, have a look at the following articles:
'No Gain Without Pain!' by Nicky Leap
'The Pain of Labour' by Andrea Robertson
'Pain in Labour - Your Hormones Are Your Helpers' by Sarah Buckley
