Alternative "Pain" Management During Labor

When you think of birth, what comes to mind?

I often ask this question during my childbirth education courses. I want to hear from my students and learn what I should cover in my class, what their thoughts are and how I can support them. Many expecting mothers associate birth with pain, even if they are first time mothers and have no own experiences to compare to. I speak with a lot of expecting families and the fear of the pain of the labor contractions is common. Why is this, I wonder? You may say - because labor hurts! And maybe you are not wrong, however, not all women experience labor as painful. Some women describe labor pains as intense pressure while others experience it as orgasmic. Who said birth has to hurt?

“Pain” management is a big topic in my classes. It is an important topic that I spend a lot of time on, not because birth hurts, but because our fear of the pain intensifies the feeling. My goal is to take away my student’s fear and replace it with confidence. Knowing what to expect, having realistic expectations, eases our minds and helps us relax. Imagine you are going to get your vaccine and the doctor starts out by telling you that it will sting, burn and cause you some discomfort. Now you are hyper-focused on the pain, the burning and stinging. You anticipate the needle and your muscle is flexed, your fist clenched and you are tense. I can guarantee that your experience will be painful and your arm will be sore. What would happen if you and your doctor laugh and joke prior to the vaccine. You are relaxed, engaged in a conversation and the doctor informs you that they will clean your arm and administer the vaccine. You are still talking while the needle breaks your skin and you may not even notice it much. Your mind was in a different place and your body did not anticipate a negative experience.

I have worked with mothers who labored peacefully, supported by their partner, focused on HypnoBabies tracks. They did not display any signs of discomfort. Instead, they were in control of their own feelings, guided by their hypnosis tracks and they felt empowered and at ease. HypnoBabies is one amazing way to manage your labor! If you are interested in learning more, take a look at the course offerings here.

I do understand that hypnosis is not for everyone. There is not a one size fits all approach to labor management. If you are not a fan of hypnosis, think about some other alternatives to the epidural (we will talk more about that in another blog). TENS units are also very popular with my clients and can be used beginning with the onset of labor. I rent my ELLE TENS unit out to families who are looking for an alternative to traditional pain management options and have seen a lot of great outcomes. The TENS unit stimulates your brain and works with the Gate Control Theory. Your brain can only focus on one stimulus - either the electronic wave form the TENS unit or the wave from your uterine contractions. The TENS signal travels on larger nerve fibers and gets to the brain faster, so the brain focuses on this sensation and builds a gate to block all other stimuli. This works in your favor because the contraction becomes an afterthought.

Another alternative is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are wonderful. Certain scents bring back positive memories and associations. We smell cinnamon and orange and think of Christmas, we smell lemon and think of the summer breeze or maybe grandma’s lemon meringue pie. You probably have your own scents that trigger positive reactions and cause oxytocin to flow. Those scents can help you during labor as well. Then there are other oils that have been used traditionally to help calm us and reduce stress - lavender and chamomile are some examples. What is important is that essential oils should not be used undiluted. You should source them from a credible vendor who does not sell synthetic blends and should not use them directly on the skin. I prefer adding them to cotton balls and bringing those sealed in zip-lock bags. You may choose to bring a diffuser or a scented pillow. It is important to remember that what you may like during pregnancy could change when you go into labor.

Lastly, I want to talk about hydrotherapy. Water is a powerful tool in the labor room. When my clients contact me during their early labor, I recommend Epsom salt baths and showers. Water is calming, it helps us relax, and makes us feel “lighter”. Hydrotherapy is one of the most powerful pain management tool available to us. Laboring in the tub or in the shower has helped many of my clients progress because they are able to relax and allow their body to do the work it is intended to do. The birthing tub is my secret tool - shhhh don’t tell anyone! You can even add essential oils to the water if you like - some hospitals offer special blends to their patients. While you relax in the water, your partner or doula can massage your acupressure points and help you relax even further.

By the way - baths and massage are a wonderful way to comfort expecting mothers during their entire pregnancy. Hint, Hint ;)