104. Comfort Supports In Labour

Practicing relaxation techniques will help you in labour. Being relaxed increases the production of oxytocin and endorphin hormones, which help the progress of labour and decrease the sensation of pain.  Stress hormones can make your labour longer, and tense muscles can cause more pain. Releasing tension is the key to managing your pain and your sense of control during labour.  Learn and practice relaxation skills and routines on your own and with your partner.

When you first practice these techniques, you may find it useful to learn how to completely relax your muscles. One way to do this is progressive relaxation.

Try this:

• First, make your environment comfortable (warm, peaceful, safe and with no distractions).
• Start at one end of your body, either your head or feet.
• Work your way through all the muscle groups of your body, tensing your muscles for five seconds and then relaxing them for at least 10 to 15 seconds.
• Think about the muscles you have relaxed. Let them become soft, loose and warm.
• When you tense your muscles, breathe in.
• When you relax, breathe out. As you breathe out, imagine all the tension flowing out of your body with your breath.
• As relaxing becomes easier, try adding distractions. This is a useful thing to practice because there are many distractions during labour and birth, including contractions!

One of the greatest tools you can use to help you relax during labour is breathing in a thoughtful way – practicing the breath/body connection. Rhythmic breathing  can give you tremendous power and control in your labour.

Try this

• Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Concentrate on how that breath feels as it comes in and then how it feels as you blow out. Take a second breath. This time, concentrate on your shoulders as they raise, your baby moving around, or any other changes you feel. Keep going. What are some of the things you are noticing about your body when you breathe in deeply and exhale slowly (think of your entire body)?
• Sigh or use a relaxing sound e.g. aaaaaa or oooooo with each out breath, this can help you focus and extend your out breath

Use this exercise to connect to your entire body. By practicing this simple act of breathing, you will be more prepared for the sensations of labour contractions because you will be aware of how your body works in harmony with itself. You will be better able to make your body release tension and cope with the rhythm of the  contractions.

During labour contractions, focusing your attention can keep your breathing regular and help you stay as relaxed as possible. You can focus on something you can see (like a person or something in the room), something you can hear (like your partner’s voice or the ticking of the clock) or something internal (like thinking about your cervix opening). You may want to change your focal point several times during labour.

A soothing memory or picture can also help you relax. Do you have a favorite holiday location or a place you would like to visit? By imagining yourself there and using your senses to create a clear picture, you will focus less on the pain of labour.

Try this

• Imagine yourself sitting by a beautiful pond throwing pebbles into it. Count all the ripples on the water as each pebble hits.
• Imagine yourself in a swing holding your baby in your arms. Feel the warmth of your baby. Count as you swing.

If you find this type of relaxation helpful, you can find more information on imagery at the public library or bookstores.

For more ideas of how to work with your body during labour, click here to see the Alberta Health Services resource: Healthy Parents Healthy Children

The shower is a wonderful place to labour and can be done safely even if your amniotic membrane or ‘bag of waters’ has already broken. When the skin is stimulated by the water, the brain experiences an overload of stimuli and is less likely to notice the strength and discomfort of the uterine contractions. Some people report feeling 10 out of 10 on a pain scale outside the shower, but report feeling 4 out of 10 once in the shower.

In addition, warm water bottles or wash cloths on your lower back can help you relax. And for some people, cold packs, such as ice wrapped in a towel, offer comfort.

Once you are in active labour, a warm bath may help you relax. Check with your care provider about availability of tubs at your birth centre and if this is something you would be able to access based on your medical history.

Music and Audio Relaxation