Comments on: How to Manage Pain During Labor

on 6/30/2006 Different positions work for different women. Don't think, "Oh no, I need to start pushing- what did that woman on TV do?" No- if you're really ready to start pushing, the position you need to be in will come naturally. For some, it could be on your hands and knees. For others, using the squatting bar. Maybe you want to give a birth ball a try. Just listen to your body and what feels right at the time.

on 11/22/2005 I cannot stress how helpful it was for me to focus on my breathing for my daughter's delivery, which I did without an epidural or any other pain medication. My wonderful midwife and husband kept me calm and grounded and helped my focus on deep, cleansing breaths and I swear it got me through it. I was also in a very hot jacuzzi tub at the hospital which was great too. During contractions I could suspend myself up and float in the water (while squeezing the heck out of the side handles) and this took much pressure off my bottom and legs and let me breathe through the pain. Good luck.

on 11/22/2005 Before you settle on your OB/GYN, make sure that you will not be continuously hooked up to a fetal monitor (unless the baby is in distress). Not only is constant fetal monitoring discouraged by the ACOG, but studies show it ups the rate of unnecessary c-sections. Plus, you can't walk around while strapped in, and walking (or just being able to move around at all) is one of the best pain management tips out there.