Suggestions for Making Labor A Little Easier

Labor (la'ber) n. 1. productive activity..work; toil. 2. the pains and efforts of childbirth; travail

As the word implies, laboring to birth a child is work. Hard work. But we're strong women and our bodies are designed for this work. So let's roll up our sleeves and get to it.

Here are some suggestions for making this work a little easier.

Early Labor

• • If labor begins at night, SLEEP!!! Do your best to rest as long as possible. This is going to be a journey and the more rested you are, the more energy you'll have.
• • Distract yourself! Or better yet, go out into public where you're forced to stay in control. Get groceries, walk in the park, sit quietly in a restaurant and drink a cup of tea.
• • Do normal activities. Wash a few dishes, watch a movie, tidy the house or fold baby clothes
• • Alternate activities with rest. Remember, the garden might need to be weeded, but you don't want to wear yourself out before the big game!
• • When you become distracted by the contractions, time them. That way you'll remind yourself that they don't last forever and your body is doing the work it knows how to do.

Active and Transition Labor

• • Relax and breathe. One of the first symptoms of oxygen deprivation is anxiety. If you find you're feeling anxious, check your breathing. Stay mobile and upright if it's comfortable. Gravity is a natural labor aid and it's free, so take advantage of it!
• • Bathe. The buoyancy of bathing in warm water helps ease pain. It lifts and relaxes. While you're there, toss in a little lavender essential oil. Aromatherapy and warm water work together to relax bodies. Relaxed bodies function better during labor.
• • Stretch your perineum. Since you're already in the tub, add a little massage oil and massage your perineum to help minimize tears.
• • Drink herbal tea. Not only is it important to stay hydrated, but also many labor herbs are calming and help stimulate your contractions. (As always, consult your midwife/health care provider about the use of herbs during labor)
• • Get a massage. Have a massage with a tennis ball, soda can or rolling pin. Don't forget your feet...there are lots of acupressure points on the bottoms of your feet. During back labor, have your labor coach apply hard counter- pressure to your back.
• • Try different positions. Try hands and knees, one foot on a chair and lean on it, lean over a chair or sit on a ball and lean onto the bed. In transition labor, sit on the toilet to encourage your perineum to relax.
• • Breathe some more. Not only are you keeping yourself well oxygenated, but you're also delivering a good dose of oxygen to your angel baby.
• • Relax your hands, your feet and allow your uterus to open easily and effortlessly. You were made for this. You're doing a great job. We're proud of you.

Emmenagoges are a family of herbs that have a strong action uterine stimulant action. They include such herbs as Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh and Motherwort. They can be considered useful herbs during the last few days of your pregnancy to help stimulate uterine contractions. These herbs should not be taken during pregnancy except unless under the supervision of your midwife or naturopath or during labor.

Bibliography:

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