The Birth Day

POSITIONS

If you are given the freedom to move in labour your baby will be constantly repositioning and descending getting ready for birth. Moving around allows the pelvis to open and the cervix to dilate. It is thought that laying on your back during labour and birth (for most women) is an inefficient and painful way to labour. It may also increase the need for intervention/s. Even if you are attached to a drip or monitor, most hospitals will give you a trolley on which to wheel it around so that you can continue to move and attain the position that feels most comfortable.

Most women naturally prefer to give birth in a vertical, upright position. In most hospitals women are supported with the help of a midwife and/or partner into various positions to ease the baby down the birth canal. Read up on the different positions that can assist birthing in many different ways and plan to do whatever feels right to you.

PAIN RELIEF

Society's attitudes to labour pain are quite diverse, along with the many different philosophies on how best to deal with the pain of labour. Your body has access to its own natural pain relief system that has been developed over millions of years and works best if you are relaxed and at ease in labour. These important chemicals that are produced in your body are called endorphins and oxytocin.

Endorphins are released when the body needs to relieve pain, during exercise, during relaxation and any activity that gives you feelings of comfort, pleasure or enthusiasm. Endorphins are more readily released when a woman feels safe and supported. This is one reason why the place of birth is so important to a woman in labour - she must feel relaxed within her environment. For many women, endorphins will also positively alter the memory of their birth experience and allow them to forget the pain. Endorphins are able to strengthen the woman's psyche and provide an internal 'protection' against the intensity of labour and giving birth.

Oxytocin is released by the brain to stimulate the uterus to contract and stimulate the release of milk from the breast. There is much evidence that oxytocin is important for mother-baby bonding and maternal behaviour. This hormone can also be inhibited by fear or stress.

Positive attitudes can help the woman to see her labour as purposeful, a 'vehicle that brings her baby to her', and that her labour is natural and normal. It may involve pressure and pain; but it is normal. It is a worthwhile goal, even if you feel challenged at various times, to maintain the view that the labour pain is purposeful and positive.

Other natural options for pain relief include massage acupressure, heat packs, getting in the shower or bath/birthing pool, using a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine (ask your midwife).

It is hard to know what the labour will bring, and in order to be able to work effectively with your caregiver(s) and enhance a positive birth experience, it is good to be aware of your options and what is available at your chosen place of birth. When making choices about pain relief it is ideal if you are fully aware of the probable effectiveness of each method and the potential side effects that can be possible for both the mother and her baby. Once in labour, it is difficult to explore options and make decisions on the spot. It is much easier to explore these options before the birth, when your mind is clearer.