mumofsix's I-am-pregnantblog

mumofsix
mumofsix has 9 days to go and is now in week 38
	Age: 36 Country: New Zealand Province/region: Auckland City: Auckland Partner: Married Children: Yes, 5 Pregnant: Yes Due date: 03 Aug ,2008 Occupation: Mum/P.A for home business/Home schooler
	Online: 11 minutes ago Last updated: 16 days ago. Member since: 174 days
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24-4-2008 - My Labor techniques

My mood while writing this blog:
Ok

I was asked by a fellow VIP if I would write down how I deal with labor and if I use any special techniques etc. So here are my two cents worth.

The first thing I have to say is that the first time around you have no idea what to expect so do not set such high ideals of labor that you disappoint yourself. I had no idea what the pain would be like or if I could go without pain relief so I made no hard and fast rules allowing myself to decide as I went. It was like giving myself permission to make choices and not fighting to make my ideals the benchmark.

Now for my own laboring experiences.
I do not use music as it annoys me after a while, I do not use any labor props of any kind as I find they irritate me after a while. I do like a relaxed setting though and loved low light and candles with my last baby.
For me labor is a very personal experience and during contractions all I focus on is baby and me. After the contraction has finished I then have time to chat a little with my hubby/midwife/kids etc.
I find during contractions that I really focus on breathing, nice long controlled breaths. In through the nose and out through the mouth. While I am doing this I concentrate on relaxing everything and picture my babies head pushing on the cervix and the cervix gently dilating. I was told this by a friend after my first baby and it made the world of difference. First time round I fought the contractions with my tummy muscles rather than just breathing through the pain. I found that I could cope with the pain easier if I could focus on how the pain was helping my baby come into this world. The pain then became a positive thing.
As I am a Christian I am also constantly praying and asking for God to help baby and me and to give us strength.
I really get caught up in my own little world during contractions and like to be left to do my thing. I don't like back rubs or people fussing I just want to be left alone. Once the contraction ends then it's all smiles and chatting until everyone sees me starting to shut my eyes and breath again. Obviously as you get nearer to transition the time between contractions shortens and I become much more introverted then and I don't bother talking too much. My primary focus becomes breathing through this stage and relaxing.

Once I am into active labor I tend to opt for a semi reclined position with knees bent up. I don't like standing or walking around and I don't like changing positions unless I really need to. Some people like to keep moving but I find I can't relax and focus. It all depends on how you deal with the pain.

I love it when I get to full dilation. I always seem to have a pause in contractions for about 10 minutes before the pushing starts. This gives me an energy catch up time and a new focus, I love the pushing stage. I found having a mirror a great incentive to push, although, I could not have one in the bath tub. Seeing each push bring your little ones head clearer and clearer into view is the most exciting thing. You can also see your perineum stretching and I feel I have more control over gently easing baby out when I can see what is happening.

I get excited writing this because I love labor, especially the elation you get when it's all over. I look forward to this next labor but as usual will go into it with no hard and fast rules. I would like another water birth in our tub with candles and dim light but I also know that every birth can be different so I am open to change if need be.

All the best ladies, don't be afraid of labor, try to relax into it. It's harder the first time around as you don't know how bad the pain will get but remember many, many ladies have done this before you and many will do it again so it can't be that bad.

2 Comments on My Labor techniques

MsMistiM - Monday, 2 Jun
Yes, I agree! thank you...I haven't taken the labor classes, I don't really have the money to do it.
So any advise is welcomed. Thank you so much, I enjoy reading this

JoJoUK - Saturday, 3 May
Thanks that's a very good read for a first timer like myself thanks for all your experiences you share. x

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