Before your Labour, its nice to weigh out your options of pain relief.

Whether you would like to go Drug free or have the Option of using drugs, I have made a list of options through two pieces of advice for you to read.

This piece of advice

focus's on DRUG FREE.

enjoy :)

Breathing Technique:

This is usually taught in birthing classes, In labour, you want to keep your breathing rhythmical, breathing in, small pause, then breathing out, making the 'out-breath' a little longer than the 'in-breath'. This technique is also used to help against panic attacks and relieve stress.

Massage:

Well, you know how any massage makes you feel (when you are lucky enough to receive them lol!), thats your endorphins kicking in, endorphins make you feel good, which is why it is used widely as another drug free pain relief option, having your birth-partner massage you in the lower back is excellent pain relief as many feel the labour in their backs. Its best to use massage lotions or oils, if you are interested in using essential oils, it would be best to speak to your doctor, there are aromatherapy massage oils available on the market.

TENS machines - Trans-cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation:

This little machine works for some, not for others. Hospitals dont usually provide them but you can buy or hire them from chemists.

This is usually a small battery operated machine with four wires coming out of it with round sticky pads attached to the other end of the wires, They generate pulses of electricity to the muscles that the sticky pads are stuck to. They are usually placed on the back on either sides of the spine, 2 at bra strap level and 2 just above the buttocks. The pulses of electricity helps prevent the pain from your cervix working its way up your spine and to the brain.

Aromatherapy:

Alot of people use aromatherapy recipes to help with all kinds of things in life from colds and flu's to intimacy, essential oils are usually placed on an oil burner with a tealight candle placed underneath warming the oil to fill the room with its aroma. Some essential oils that help are Lavender, Rose, Sage and Neroli. Please consult your midwife or an aromatherapist for recipe details as they can vary through the stages of childbirth.

Sterile water injections:

Tiny little ammounts of water are injected in the skin (not under) in four places in the lower back to block pain receptors, there are no side effects to you or the baby and usually there are great results, the pain relief can last up to 90 minutes and can be administered again if needed. Downside is that it can be quite painful, its sting can be quite harsh and unbearable for about 30 seconds.

thanks for reading, i hope this helps widen your pain relief options!