How Do You Manage Pain During Labor?
• Learn the Bradley Method of labor pain management. This technique teaches you how to relax your muscles and actually control the pain during labor without having to use medication. Your birthing partner also learns massage techniques that will help. • Create a relaxing environment by having candles flickering nearby and music playing. These will also be focal points if you are having a hard time focusing on something other than the labor pain. • Consider moving around. Whether you are at home or at the hospital, take a walk. Focus on what’s going on around you as you experience a contraction. Sometimes laying down leaves you nothing to do but think about the contractions. When you walk around, you are giving yourself something to do, something to see, and inadvertently, you are moving the labor along. Make sure someone is with you during your jaunt. • Try different positions if the one you are in is not relieving labor pains. Sit on an exercise ball, lie on your side, or sit in a cha
