How to Handle Labor Without Pain Medication

Having a completely natural birth without pain medication--is possible. There are numerous benefits associated with an unmedicated labor and birth for both mother and baby. If you decide that you want to have a natural childbirth--the steps below will help you achieve it.

Things You'll Need

• Childbirth class
• Doula
• Massage tools
• Shower/bath
• Radio/player

Instructions

1. Above everything else, you must decide that this is what you want to do. This means being committed to the idea of natural childbirth. Do your research to support your decision and stick to it. Prepare and plan for a natural birth. This doesn't mean that you are locked into a natural birth if you have a difficult labor or complications arise, but you must be committed to having a natural birth to be successful.

2. If you are planning to have an unmedicated birth, you should try to find a childbirth class that focuses on natural coping methods and alternatives. It doesn't have to be a specific type of class such as Lamaze or Bradley, but one that focuses on good support is essential.

3. Have good support during your pregnancy and labor. You may want to hire a doula for this job so that she can support both you and your partner throughout labor. Doulas provide emotional and physical support to the birthing family and are very knowledgeable about procedures, complications and coping techniques.

4. Change your positions as frequently as you need to. Changing your positions from lying down to standing or walking, or even squatting, may help you cope with contractions much better.

5. Use a variety of massage techniques. There are many different techniques such as effleurage, firm pressure, circles and more. Each technique can be used on a different part of the body and for different sensations. You and your partner can learn these techniques during your pregnancy or hire a doula who is familiar with massage (most of them are).

6. Take advantage of the shower or bath. Using water in labor can help you effectively deal with contractions, especially during transition. Immersing your body in a tub of water helps by providing buoyancy and the right amount of pressure and support so that you can relax. You can also use the shower head to target the lower part of your belly or back during really tough contractions.

7. Visualize your baby. Sometimes it helps to visualize your cervix opening up and allowing your baby to pass through. You can also visualize your baby getting lower and lower into your pelvis with each contraction you feel and coming safely into your arms.

8. Use effective sounds. Making sounds in labor is very common and useful. However, the high-pitch screaming sounds won't do a thing for you. When labor starts to become intense, it is better to use low sounds such as groaning or moaning, so that it will help your cervix to open. A loose jaw equals a loose cervix. Screaming only prohibits that by tightening all of the face muscles.

9. Use specific breathing patterns if you find them useful. If you take Lamaze or another specific breathing pattern class, incorporate that into your labor. Breathing patterns may help you stay focused during the contraction and will change so that you are more focused on the breath than on that pain.

10. Learn acupressure. Acupressure is simply using finger pressure on specific parts of the body. There are acupressure points all throughout the body, and some of them specifically focus on labor and pain.

11. Turn up the music. Listening to your favorite tunes can help you deal with the intensity of contractions by releasing endorphins into your bloodstream. Feel free to play any kind of music that motivates and comforts you, and no, it doesn't have to be lullabies and soft music.

12. Don't stay connected to the monitor. Unless your baby shows continuous signs of fetal distress, you don't need to be hooked to the monitor during your entire labor. Ask to be monitored intermittently so that you can have the freedom to move and do what you need to do to cope with labor effectively.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your doctor during your pregnancy and let him know what you'd like to do throughout your labor. Some doctors will let you change positions and move, and others won't. Make sure that you are comfortable with his or her rules.

• Bring a CD player that will work with batteries. Sometimes you are not able to use the outlets in the labor room.

• Take more than one childbirth class. You will learn different things from different instructors, so you should take as many classes as you can and expand your knowledge.

• If your doctor is against letting you labor and birth the way you are comfortable, consider changing doctors or else compromising.