Pregnancy Article:

Natural Pain Relief in Labour Begins in Pregnancy

By: Kiera Pedley

For some women, the risks and side effects of pharmaceutical pain relief during labour is a big concern. Other women believe that the symptoms of labour pain are correlated to the bonding process. Whatever your belief, there are natural pain relief techniques, and they are effective for coping with labour pain. Water, vocalization, massage, movement - all of them are very effective comfort measures. However the most important and forgotten pain relief technique begins when you're pregnant.

Preparing your body during pregnancy, especially focusing on the position of your baby can really make a big difference in how long and uncomfortable your labour is. A poorly positioned baby can mean a long, painful, or even stalled labour. So what can you do?

Focus on your posture. Gone are the days when women spent their pregnancies scrubbing floors. Being in the all fours position allows the baby to be cradled in the best position to be born in. That is, spine to tummy on the left side. Many women during pregnancy spend their days slouching on the couch, in the car, at the computer, then come home and put their feet up. This lifestyle has lead to an epidemic of posterior babies - bubs who lie spine to spine with their mums. Posterior bubs create the dreaded “back ache” labour as they move down through the pelvis, with their spines pressed hard against their mums.

Your baby's spine is the heaviest part of it's body, so that is the way the baby will ‘swing'. The best way to encourage your baby into a good position is to crawl. By crawling you create a nice space at the front of your belly for your baby to swing into . From about 20 weeks, crawl, crawl, crawl. Take every opportunity to create that space: watch TV leaning over a fit ball or chair, put a wedge in the car so you're sitting “on your vagina” whatever it takes to create that space at the front of your tummy, so your baby can swing around into a good position.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can ensure there is no nerve interference affecting your baby's positioning, and will help stave off those pregnancy aches and pains. Be sure to find a chiropractor who has experience with pregnant women.

Acupressure and acupuncture have a track record of success in encouraging good foetal positioning too.

Another frequently overlooked but effective technique for encouraging your baby into a good position, is to chat to him or her. For whatever reason, your calm voice can really help encourage your baby to move. I personally am a firm believer in this, having encouraged a breech presenting baby to turn at 35 weeks with firm words and chiropractic treatments.

Preparing for your labour doesn't guarantee you a short or easy labour, but it certainly makes a big difference if your baby presents in an optimum position.

Kiera Pedley is passionate about all things birth, childhood and parenting. She runs www.homebirthmybirth.com a safe place for homebirthing families, www.naturalparentingtips.com to create an amazing childhood, and www.wahmnetwork.com.au the Australian Work at Home Mums support network.

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