How to Manage Pain and Stress During Childbirth: Tips from a Midwife and Mother of Three
You are pregnant and you are questioning yourself about how to manage your birth … I have few recommendations for you as a midwife and a mother of three: Childbirth can be both a wonderful and intense moment.
Let’s me share some tips on managing pain and stress during this time of your life, so you can experience your birth in the most serene and positive way possible.
1st stage :EARLY LABOR: Physical and Mental Preparation
Rest, Nutrition, and Hydration
Giving birth is like running a marathon; you need to be well-rested, nourished, and hydrated to start labor. Even though it’s exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking when the first signs appear, trying to maintain a state of calm is crucial. You don’t know how much time you have before the baby arrives: a few hours? 24 hours? More? This is the time to practice letting goand to listen your body.
Creating a Soothing Environment
- Breathing and Relaxation: Learn deep breathing techniques that can help manage pain and keep you calm.
- Massage and Movement: These methods can relieve pain and encourage labor progress.
- Support Person: Having one or more support people, such as your partner, a friend, or a doula, can be incredibly reassuring.
- Music and Essential Oils: Use soothing music and essential oils to create a tranquil atmosphere.
- Dimmed Lights: Keeping the lights soft can help maintain the secretion of necessary labor hormones.
- Bath or Shower: Hot water can be extremely soothing and help relax your body.
2nd stage : ACTIVE LABOR: Targeted Relaxation
You are now more focus and in your own world. The main focus is to relax in between contractions and not fight the pain of the contraction.
Stay focus, turn off your brain, relax your jaw and shoulders, more your relax your upper body more you relax your lower body, that means your cervix and your pelvis. A relaxed body is going to facilitate the labor process.
First Stage: TRANSITION
You are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, it is normal, that means your hormones are working well… It is the time the midwife is going to tell you : YOU CAN DO IT, IT IS ALMOST DONE… Look at all the work you already done, the top of the mountain is almost here.
Second Stage: Pushing
Listen to Your Body
When it comes time to push, it’s essential to listen to your body and follow your instincts. I prefer not to talk about specific techniques for pushing because every woman and every childbirth is unique but listen your body
- Pushing Positions: Order your board sheet with all the position on the link below, you can see different positions for pushing. There is no "perfect" position – the important thing is to find one that relieves you the most and allows you to feel your expulsive reflex best.
- Use Gravity: Positions like squatting, kneeling, or standing can help use gravity to your advantage.
- Trust Yourself: Just as you’ve never had to learn how to have a bowel movement, you don’t need to learn how to push. Your body knows what to do, trust it and follow your sensations.
Conserve Your Energy
Pushing requires a lot of energy. This is when you use your archaic brain—the one focused on deep, instinctive feelings. Be in the moment, let your body guide your actions.
YOU ARE STRONG, YOU CAN DO IT!
Childbirth is a powerful and transformative journey, and each woman experiences it differently. My advice here is based on my years of experience as a midwife and mother. Remember, every childbirth is unique, and the most important thing is to listen to yourself and trust yourself. You are strong, you are capable, and you are about to do something extraordinary. Hang in there, you are amazing!
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Anne
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