labor comfort measures - the gift of motherhood...
TRANSCRIPT
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.