Drug-Free Pain Management Options
- Movement and Positioning
Walking around the room can help provide some relief, as can experimenting with different positions that may help ease the pain such as supported squatting and kneeling. - Breathing Techniques
Breathing can play a very important role in guiding your concentration and making your pain more manageable. Two of the most popular childbirth philosophies - the Lamaze method and the Bradley method - focus on controlled breathing to handle pain.
The Lamaze Method teaches pain management through knowledge, exercise and relaxation skills - a technique known as psychoprophylaxis. A big proponent of patterned breathing, breathing techniques are often used in combination with imagery, distraction or massage to achieve deeper relaxation.
The Bradley Method places a strong emphasis on a medication-free birth experience unless absolutely necessary, teaches abdominal breathing for relaxation, and advocates the active participation of the baby's father as birth coach. - Massage and Compresses
A good massage can help alleviate the aching muscles as well as reduce stress levels. Compresses can also provide good pain relief: Hot-water bottles can soothe sore muscles while cold packs can numb a particularly painful area. - Vocalization
Vocalization involves low groaning, humming or chanting through the peak of your contractions. The act of vocalizing is said to help women cope with the stress and feel some control over the pain.
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