Are there any easy mental techniques for coping with labour pains?

Question

This is my 2nd pregnancy, my first was unbelieveably painful but with my first i got to hospital too late to have an epidural.

This time I am opting NOT to have epidural because i already have back problems and i have heard that the injection can sometimes cause back injury. So it seems my only option is to have a natural birth.

Can anyone recommend any material (DVD/book) i can use to help myself cope with the pain. Also if you have used the material yourself, how effective was it?

Answer 1

I had two of my children naturally and one via emergency c-section. With when the pain got unbearable I went into a hot shower, straddled a chair and put the showerhead water aimed at my back, as I had terrible back labour. I rocked back a forth during contractions. During my first labour I went into that shower only at 4 cm dilation and an hour later delivered with only 3 pushes and no cutting. With my second, I went into the shower at 2 cm, a little earlier because I knew what I was in for and a hour and a half later I delivered with again 3 pushes and no cutting. Do the hot shower straddling a chair. You are using the baby to dilate further and faster by straddling the chair and the hot water relaxes you. The combo of the two makes it easier.

Answer 2

I found that a water-birth really helped on the pain front... had
one in the bath and the next in a hired pool in my living room! Also found that i got a huge sence of ease from thinking of all the other women in labour at the same moment as me, also visualising things far away helped.... like a beautiful beach, the countryside and mountains. Also knowing that this pain is not going to last for ever, so not fighting it but riding it! And seeing it as a passage to be a real women. Have had four births,two awful and one ok and one brilliant(the pool one) Just go with what makes you feel comfortable(!) good luck

Answer 3

I used TOTAL mind control techniques for the birth of my son.
As soon as I found out I was pregnant I told myself over and over again "There is NO pain medication at the hospital. They have run out. They do not even have an asprin. They will offer you something but only to be polite as they really have nothing."
I said this constantly and when it came to labour I found I didn't want pain reflief of any kind.
My labour was awful as Dylan was a POP, laying with his spine against mine, baby so labour is very slow and long. All the pain is in your back.
It went for a total of 41 hours in labour. i was offered so many forms of pain relief but didn't even think about or want to take them up on their offer.
It surprised me just how much the mind control worked.

Unfortuantly after such a long labour and that I was loosing my life because of such a prolonged and exhausting labour. My body could no longer cope. So my wishes, I was still arguing that it was 'No!' as they put an epidural in, were over powered. My life was at risk though.

I suggest you try this. it works really well. It must do as I am the biggest baby at pain and I was more worried about how much my wrist hurt from the IV!!!!!
Try controling your breathing while in labour. Talking to yourself (coaching). "One contraction gone. One less to go." I also said that.
Prepare yourself as it sounds like you are doing as much as you can.


The chances of the epidural causing back troubles are 1 in a million or less. As I worked in Theatre for 6 years and never heard of this one.
You are more likely to end up wth the kiler hedache afterwards.
I wouldn't dismiss it.
It is WONDERFUL. After all my fighting and saying no as soon as it kicked in it was awesome. Just bliss.

I will e-mail you if I find anything for you to read on the net or a DVD.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I have had 5 kids, the first 4 were natural and the last was an emergency c-section. Focal point, breathing and lay on your left side. I didn't actually take my own advise until baby #3. It really works. Good luck and congradulations!

Answer 5

You could try some yoga & or breathing techniques with the help of a qualified practitioner who understands your pregnancy situation. Some hypnotic visualization techniques may also help.