There are lots of ways to feel more comfortable during labour.

For some lucky women, labour is a breeze. For others, it can be very uncomfortable and painful—but it doesn't have to be. There are lots of ways to make yourself more comfortable during labour. You can learn and practice natural pain-relief techniques prior to labour, and you can try other techniques as your labour progresses. Drugs and medical procedures are also available as needed.

You'll want to weigh the benefits and risks of each before deciding which type of pain relief to go with on the big day. Here are your choices:


Nonmedical Methods

*Relaxation techniques. Childbirth educators, nurses, and women who've used this approach recommend it more than any other as a noninvasive way to reduce muscle tension and pain in childbirth. Progressive body relaxation—taking a tension-reducing \";walk\"; through your body—is something you can learn and practice ahead of time so you'll be comfortable using it in labour.

*Massage. Have your partner massage your arms, legs, or back during labour to help you relax and to decrease tension and pain.

*Rocking. Spend as much of your labour as possible in a rocking chair, gently moving back and forth as you breathe and relax.

*Walking or \";slow dancing.\"; Walking—or even just pacing round your bed—decreases discomfort while helping your contractions become stronger and more regular. Try \";dancing\"; with your partner, leaning on him and swaying back and forth.

*Changing positions. Don't stay in the same position for more than an hour, and don't lie flat on your back. Instead, try sitting up in your bed or a chair, lying on your side, squatting and rocking on a birthing ball, or leaning forward over the back of a chair or your birthing bed.

*Hydrotherapy. Try sitting in a shower with a jet spray against your back, or lying in a warm bath. Not all hospitals have a bath or shower in the room, so if you want to use this method of relaxation during labour, make arrangements beforehand to give birth at a facility that offers it. (For more information on hydrotherapy, see Water Birth and Labour in Water.)

*Application of heat or cold. A heating pad or ice pack placed against your back can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and numb pain.

*Paced breathing. Specific patterns of breathing help keep you relaxed and focus your attention on something other than pain during a contraction. Three techniques (slow, modified, and patterned) are used as labour progresses.

*Visual imagery. Practice visualizing a beautiful scene in your mind, one that makes you feel safe and relaxed. Focus your mind on this place when you have contractions.

*Music. Pack some favorite, relaxing tapes or CDs and a player (if the hospital doesn't provide one).

*Aromatherapy. Wonderful smells help you relax and feel better, so take fragrant lotion or potpourri for your room to give yourself a lift.

nandini replied. soory
regards u tke cre bi
luv
nandini. nandini replied. hi how are you?
very useful information.i am planning to use sme of the tech during my labour.
also did u kn water birth i.e.giving birth in such a way that ur baby is delivered in water tub where ur lower half is immersed in water is supposd to be very good fr the baby as the baby comes out of the fluid and is in water and not exposed to open space so it prevents shock fr the baby.
i jst read abt it .i dnt kn where it is followd.
anyhow i am going to buy some lavender essential oil as its suposed to be a relaxant so i will use it during labour.