|
When you are pregnant, often you stay up at night because you are worried about giving birth. You probably have heard all the stories - "the pain will be more then anything you have ever felt." And, "It will feel like half your body is ripped out of you." Many people's reaction to all these stories is to look at their day of giving birth with a lot of apprehension. But as you will see, this new method of pain relief will work very well to make your birthing experience a memorable one instead of a pain wracked, horrible experience you never want to repeat.
During the pregnancy people often lose their appetite but you have to keep pushing yourself to eat. The baby needs enough food to develop correctly. It is also essential to have some exercise during the pregnancy since then you will be prepared for giving birth - a physically draining experience. Just imagine it to be a 12-hour marathon (Sometimes even longer!). So get into shape. At the beginning of the pregnancy you could run for 10 minutes a day and later just speed walk for the same amount of time and you'll be prepared nicely. Of course you could also swim, bike, or do aerobics, as long as it isn't something like jumping on a trampoline. If you have any questions about whether a form of exercise is safe for you baby, check with your doctor. Inquire when your due date is, and this is where this method is different.
On the day before you think the labor pangs will begin don't go to sleep very early. This is essential to the birth pain management, as you will see later. When you wake up to menstrual cramp pain, it won't hurt that much. It will feel more like menstrual cramps. When you get to this stage, don't call the hospital yet. You don't know if it is false labor, and it would be very draining for you if you went to the hospital, and waited for a few long time just to be sent home again. Once you do feel this kind of pain, to do something you have wanted to do for a while. For example, read a great book, rent a movie (long movie or series) which you have wanted to watch for a long time, or play some games on the computer, or phone some of your best friends. This really helps to take your mind off the pain, and it will relax you. Once you feel there is an increase in the frequency of the birth pangs, keep track of the frequency. If the pain (a cramping pain across your abdomen) is 5 minutes apart, call the hospital and tell them you're in labor. They will probably tell you to come in at this point. Usually the trip to the hospital will intensify the pangs and they will get closer together. This is because the walking there will trigger you to give birth more quickly.
For this birthing method, it isn't essential to use any drugs during your birth. The first part of the birth experience, for the first 2/3 of the time you will spend in labor, the pain will be just like menstrual cramps - slightly more severe and in pangs, but managable. The last third of the labor will start once you get to the hospital and will very painful during contractions, but not painful between the contractions. Make sure that you get your own room for your stay at the hospital. This is one of the most important lessons first time mothers have had to learn - just pay the extra $100.00 to get your own room. You could end up being in labor with at least 7 screaming kids running around your bed and it is very hard to be relaxed and happy in such an insane environment. If there is a bathtub available at the hospital, use it. You will find it to relieve your pain a little and it will sure hurry the whole birth experience along. The breathing exercises were not found to be very helpful. Sometimes they make people feel nauseous and may even cause hyperventilating since when you give birth it will be hard to concentrate on doing this.
Once at the hospital the lack of sleep will start to kick in. This is great since it keeps your thoughts off the pain. The nurses will be astonished about how well you are relaxing between the labor pangs - and you will laugh inwardly because you'll know it is because as soon as one pang was over you will feel so tired that you'll almost go to sleep! One thing that is also suggested strongly, once the pain seems to get unbearable is to pray. Praying focuses your mind on something other then your pain and you will get through the whole thing better because you will feel like being carried. It is also helpful to have your husband accompany you since then you have someone familiar to focus on, and he can assist you in the birthing process. When the baby will finally be born it will be the most beautiful little creature you have ever seen. You will held your baby and marveled at how perfect it is - and all your pain will be forgotten.
I'm sure that if you follow this birth method it will make your birth a very memorable experience. Don't worry very much about the pain, but rather try to focus on things other then the pain and you will not even notice it anymore. Good luck in your birthing experience!
|
| |
