Managing Labor Pain

How to gain control over your contractions

Giving birth has been known as the most painful thing the woman has to do. It is actually in the bible that the woman was given a Curse of pain during childbirth by GOD himself. Genesis 3:16 says: To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children………... So this verse is used as proof that pain is inevitable, ordained by the Creator as punishment for Eve’s sin. Well let’s not dwell into religion get back to business.

So YES pain is inevitable but how much pain should one go through while giving birth? How much can be controlled or avoided? This is what we are looking into here. So many stories about labour pain are out there so you can imagine if you have not giving birth yet the worries and pictures that go through your mind. In real sense this is what adds pain during delivering. You become so scared and tense that you cannot focus on what is happening to your body.

Speaking from my personal experience, psychological preparations help a big time to reduce unnecessary pain. When you are prepared and stay positive you will know how to control the changes that happen to your body during the process, you will also follow the instructions given by nurses who will be helping you receiving your baby into the world. Of course there are rare cases where there is complications during the process but otherwise you can remain as calm as possible and control the pain.

Ceridwen Morris wrote an article of on steps to reduce pain, and she discussed about the fear of the unknown which we said it can increase the perception of pain. It's important to remember that we were built to give birth. Sometimes problems come up, but we have all kinds of ways to resolve them. Sometimes a desire for a lovely, "natural" birth can push women to repress their fears and try to stay tough. But talking openly about what scares you can be a huge relief. Sometimes a good cry is in order. Birth is at once the most extraordinary and completely normal thing.

Let’s look at some of the steps

1.         Find a Caregiver You Trust

A doctor or midwife cannot talk for hours at each appointment about everything, but they should make you feel comfortable about asking questions and getting information. You want someone who really listens and with whom you can share your concerns. Women tend to have more efficient labors when they feel safe and secure. The caregiver and the location of the birth have a role in that sense of security.

2.         Think Comforting Thoughts

Oxytocin — the hormone that causes contractions — is also released when it's dark, during massage, when you orgasm and fall in love, and when you feel safe. In other words, it’s an intimate hormone, and intense fear can slow it down. This doesn't mean every woman has to be a perfectly chillaxed prenatal yoga goddess, but try to create a less stressful environment in ways that work for you. Forget about the bad stories you hear from people, kwanza kumbuka we are different in a way we respond to situations so be smart and think positive.

3.         Get in the Water

Immersing yourself in warm water during labor can be as effective for pain relief as a shot of narcotics. The weightlessness of sitting in a tub reduces pressure and pain, and the warmth softens and soothes the muscles. Though a tub may not be available, most hospitals and birthing centers have showers available to laboring women. Women with lower back pain often find that pressure from a portable shower nozzle is incredibly helpful.

In our environment this can be very difficult to most of us, what I personally did is to just take shower with warm water before heading to the hospital. (I know what you are thinking), but uchungu jamani it’s like a bomb, we all know that the pain comes and go and when it goes you are as ok as any other person except you are worried already and probably scared. But you can take your time and clean up. Make sure you know the signs of labour (normal and alerting ones which may indicate there is a problem), well I will find them for you and post them soon.

4.         Make Noise (Majanga!!!!!!!!!)

Hapa ndio wengi tunachemsha sasa, na yote yanatokana na uoga, so my dear, if you find yourself making high-pitched or screeching sounds, drop your shoulders and try to make low, deep noises to help you breathe deeply and relax your pelvic muscles. Some women even sing songs, repeat words, or count. These are all forms of distracting the mind and pushing the pain away. I remember with my first baby I put a worship CD on and started singing (crazy yeah? You can do that)

5.         Change Positions

Go with the urge to get into gravity-friendly, pelvis-opening positions. Most are pretty simple: You can lean forward against the wall, the back of a chair or your labor support person. You can rock from side to side, walk or go up and down stairs. Changing position in labor is one of the top ways to reduce the chances of other interventions, but note that once medications are given, moving becomes restricted due to the necessity for continuous monitoring. By the way did you know that it is much easier to make the baby come out when you sleep ki ubavu ubavu? Tatizo hospital zetu manures wengi hawajui na ukimpata mzuri una bahati unaweza ongea nae kwa ushauri. Try your best to be cooperative na anaekusaidia and friendly leave your pregnancy attitude home please please please.(I said it three times)

6.         Bring Support

Midwives tend to be there for most of the labor, but in general, most women labor without the continuous support of a medical professional until it's time to push.I’m personally very thankful to mmy best friend Anna kannonyele she stood by my side all the way during my first baby and thank to GOD that she is a nurse too, she almost helped to receive a baby but they asked her to leave when I started pushing. Her holding my hand or talking to me helped to distruct me from thinking of the pain, she also gave me a little massage. Partners who have done some preparation for labor can be incredible resources, too. I would say avoid going in with emotional mama, sister or partner. You need someone who will be very strong for you to give you courage not to be even more scared than you are. This happened to me with my second baby. I was with my cousin sister and my mama, they looked terrible I felt sorry for them, I remember leaving them in a tax and I walked ahead to go get my baby. Mama ran after me and poor thing she was trembling and dropped her thermos where she put some tea for me ha ah aha that was really funny (I don’t know why I didn’t laugh at that moment)…I know why, I was 30 minutes away from having my baby. I did not make it to the labor room I gave birth in a ward, the cousin sister I was with ran away ha ha aha she was terrible. So the support you bring with you must be people who are strong and won’t show you that they are scared.

7.         Try Massage

The key to a good labor massage is firm, consistent pressure in downward strokes. You can sit backward on a chair and lean forward on pillows while your partner keeps one hand on you at all times. This will help you keep focused. Your partner can also use tennis balls along your spine and lower back, rolling them in firm rotations. For women with extreme pressure in the lower back, counter-pressure can make a huge difference. Massage takes some instruction and practice. 

8.         Use Meditation and Visualization

Imagine being in a place that makes you feel very relaxed and safe. It could be a quiet beach, your childhood bedroom, or a yoga classroom — anything that works. Another option is to imagine how each contraction is not just painful, but productive — they’re opening you up for birth. This focus on the body doesn't work for everyone, but some women find it to be very positive. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, try taking several relaxation breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth to blow out stress.