Please don't post any answers about going with the epidural, I'm looking for ideas about alternative methods (ie not epi, pethidine or gas). The only one I know of is the labout TENS machine. If anyone has any suggestions about alternatives they have tried (whether it worked or not) I'd love to hear it.
2007-07-28 02:05:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
You should take a Bradley class. Bradley is a natural birth method that helps you learn how to get through labor with no medication. If you are already pretty far along and don't have time for a class, you can buy books on it, like "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon. That will really help.
My advice is:
warm showers, or a warm tub (some hospitals and birth centers have jacuzzi tubs for labor)
Massage from your husband/partner
Learning how to relax your body and just breath deeply through pain before labor will really help. It's a good idea to practice relaxing with your husband/partner before the birth.
2007-07-28 04:29:22 · answer #1 · answered by Mrs.P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had three natural births at home. What worked for me was to breath in and out hard during contractions. I picture blowing out the pain and it worked. I was concentrating so hard on the breathing in and out that I was distracted from the pain. I could picture the pain leaving. It really is all about distraction and it is not as hard as you would think. I also liked the room to be very dark, which will be hard in a hospital but I am sure you can work something out. I found that it is all about being in control. My first was horrendous. I felt completely out of control. With my second and third, I made sure right from the start that I took it one contraction at a time. Try not to think about how much longer. Every contraction is closer to your baby and one more contraction behind you. Good Luck and don't let others talk you into drugs. You can do it!!
2007-07-28 02:40:22 · answer #2 · answered by Cortney R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some people say water really helps them, but heat makes me throw up, so I cant do that...I have home birthed two babies, and had another in the hospital, no drugs...Bradley Method worked best for me..I just bought the two books, and practiced with my bh contractions... Then, while in labor, I experimented...Transition, non the less...I tensed up during a contraction and boy oh boy was it more painful...Then I relaxed, and could feel the pain dissipating... Much better!! It's painful, but our bodys are designed to do it, and it can be done.. Good luck!
2007-07-28 02:35:51 · answer #3 · answered by Momto8gr8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat, massage and water.
I've heard mixed things about the TENS machine for labour pains, mostly negative...although some people swear by it.
I'm planning on a natural home birth, I will use massage, aromatherapy, birthing pool and rice packs for pain. Along with visulising baby coming down the birth canal with every contraction. Focusing on birthing the baby and using gravity. It isn't so much about pain managment, but where your head is.
Awesome choice!
2007-07-28 03:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by vegface 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm using Hypnobabies - it's a self-hypnosis program. I haven't used it for giving birth, but I did use it when I needed a lot of blood work done (they have a CD called Needles are OK) and it totally worked. I was as cool as a cucumber every time the nurse came near me with a needle. I would look into Hypnobabies, and if you need more info there is a Hypnobabies group in yahoo.
2007-07-28 06:21:38 · answer #5 · answered by ValentineP 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had four kids with no pain medication. I used the Bradley method with all of mine. It really works. It uses total relaxation to prevent the uterus from cramping. My labor felt nothing like cramps. Over 90% of those who use the Bradley method do not need pain medication. Look for the book, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way.
2007-07-28 04:20:15 · answer #6 · answered by pennypincher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Counter pressure and relaxing in a hot tub helped me a lot. Also, I tried not to tense up with contractions but work through them.
2007-07-28 02:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am planning on it but i have no method in mind. Just gonna try to go through it without epidural. I was able to do it with my first because i had no choice...but we'll see bout this one
2007-07-28 03:43:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Learn self hypnosis. It can work. It takes much patience and a calm soul.
2007-07-28 02:13:59 · answer #9 · answered by Donna B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋