labor comfort measures - the gift of motherhood...

Labor Comfort MeasuresPosition ChangesChanging your position can help ease the discomfort of the contractions. Every 30 minutes to an hour try a new position. Any of these may help with correcting fetal positioning making delivery easier.

• Walking• Slow-dancing• Squatting• Sitting• Gettingonyour

hands and knees • Lyingonyourside• Kneeling• Swaying• Usingabirthball(sit,lean,bounce,swayorrollbackand forth)

• PelvicRock

WaterManywomeninlaborfindthatashowerhelpstorelievetensionandpain.Pointthesprayonyourabdomen,lowerbackorwhereveritfeelsthebest.

Heat and ColdTheuseofheatorcoldcanbeusedtohelpyoufeelcomfortable.Usingheatcanberelaxingduringlaborand may ease discomfort.

Coolwashclothsalsofeelgoodandcanbeplacedon the forehead or the nape of the neck especially duringactivelabor,transitionandpushing.

Touch and MassageSomewomenliketobetouchedduringlabor,andforsome,itmaybeirritating.Youmaylikemassageduringsomeofyourlabor,butnotduringotherparts.Yourpartnercanmassagedifferentareas.Youmightfindthateffleurage(verylightstroking)ishelpful,oryoumaypreferamoreforcefultouch.Somewomenliketohavejustonepartoftheirbodymassagedsuchasthefoot,handorback.Itisimportanttotrydifferent types.

Pressure/CounterPressureThis is a type of massage usually used when you feelagreatdealofpressureinyourlowerback.Thiscanhappenwithbacklabororwhenpushing.Counterpressureisdonebyyoursupportpersontohelprelievethepressureand/orbackache.Thesupport person presses the heel of their hand or their fistagainstyoulowerbackduringacontraction.Youwillneedtotellyousupportpersonwhatfeelsbest.

Thedoublehipsqueezeishelpfulaswell.Withthemominacomfortablehandsandkneesposition,thelaborpartnerplaceshishandsonbothhipbonespointingthethumbstowardthespine.Thehipbonesshouldbepushed“inandup”towardsmother’sbody.

Breathing TechniquesThesecanbeagreattoolinhavingthemotherthinkaboutbreathinginsteadofthecontraction.Italso may keep her from hyperventilating or holding herbreath.Breathingpatternscanconsistofdeep,abdominalbreathingorifthecontractionsgetmoreintense,amoreshallow,rhythmicalbreathing.

Relaxation TechniquesRemember,ifyoutenseupduringlabor,youmayfindyourcontractionstobemoreuncomfortableandhardertomanage.Relaxationiskeyanditis important for you and your partner to practice relaxationtogetherasateam.

Attention FocusingUsingafocalpointduringlaborcanhelptotakeyourmindoffyourcontractions.Withyoureyesopen,lookdirectly into the eyes of your support person or stare atapictureorobjectnearby.

VocalizationRhythmic,lowmoaningwiththecontractionsmaybenefityouthroughyourlabor.Sayingaphraserepeatedlyduringacontractionlike“Iamstrong”or“formybaby”mayhelpaswell.

FluidsStayhydrated.Thelackoffluidscanaffectyourbodyandmakelabormoredifficult.Iflaborisprogressingnormally, you should drink water, juice, or soda and suck on popsicles.

Pleasant TastesSincethebreathingpatternsmaymakeyourmouthfeel dry, using ice chips, lollipops, popsicles or flavoredlipbalmwillbeofhelp.

Environmental ComfortsThis would include room temperature, music and lighting.

AromatherapyYoumayfindcertainsmellstobesoothing,suchaslavender.Therearelotionsandoilsavailableforyouto choose.

Empty Your BladderItisimportanttogotothebathroomfrequently.Haveyourlaborsupportpersonremindyouoften.

Emotional SupportYourlaborpartnerand/ordoulacanprovideencouragement and physical comfort to you while youareinlabor.Astrongsupportsystemisverybeneficialandisanimportantcomfortmeasure.