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Going into labour is something that every woman anticipates with both joy and dread. The truth is – it’s not like in the movies. We have all watched in awe as characters seemingly push for five minutes and bam, the baby has arrived. Those who have already experienced childbirth will particularly cringe at those highly unrealistic moments.
The reality is that the experience varies drastically from woman to woman. Whether you have already had a child or it’s your first time, the notion of giving birth is always scary. While no one expects it to be a walk in the park, there are options available for your labour to make it as comfortable as possible.
Medication during birth
Depending on your particular needs, there are several drugs available that can help to make you feel more comfortable during childbirth. One of the most common is gas and air, which alleviates pain in around 80% of the women who use it.
Other medicines you may choose to discuss before childbirth are pethidine injections. Pethidine lasts around 2-4 hours so is typically used later on during the birth.
If you are particularly anxious about the pain, another option to discuss with your doctor is an epidural. This option utilises local anaesthetic and is often able to give complete pain relief. As an anaesthetist would need to be present, this procedure would need to be planned relatively far in advance.
The main thing to take away is: ensure you have an open, honest chat with your midwife and doctor before childbirth to put your mind at ease.
A natural alternative
Medicine is not the favoured option for everyone during childbirth, and luckily there are other options to consider. If you want a natural birth without medication to aid the pain, many women opt for a water birth.
Water births can be used as an alternative to anaesthetic as they tend to decrease pain. Often, water births also do not take as long as non-water births – allowing you to conserve more of your energy. This birthing option is subject to the health of your baby but can be an excellent option for those with low-risk pregnancies.
Practise mindfulness
It’s common knowledge that breathing exercises are used during pregnancy to allow a greater focus on pushing. This is essentially what mindfulness is and is a powerful way of improving wellness both before and during childbirth. It is also something you can carry with you in a broader context as a means of dealing with any type of stress.
Deep breaths lower blood pressure, increase oxygen levels and improve feelings of relaxation.
Mindfulness is something which requires practice, so for many women, the deep breathing during pregnancy feels like a futile attempt at relieving pain. Regularly carrying out mindfulness and breathing exercises will help you to master the process. Learning to excel in mindfulness means being able to be present and largely switch off from your surroundings. Being able to do this effectively during labor and focus on the breathing will not only help to deliver the baby more quickly but will help you to feel more in control of the process.
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