3 Tips to Help You Get Through a Long Labor

If you are getting closer to the end of your pregnancy, you may be growing a bit anxious about the labor and delivery portion of this journey. This is quite normal and most pregnant women experience this same anxiety at some point. You should be prepared, in the event that your labor extends the length of an average labor.

Use these 3 helpful tips for coping with a long labor:

1. Relax - The number one rule is to relax. You must be able to remain calm and collected during your labor. Although it is difficult, becoming anxious or irritated will only make things worst. You are doing a lot of hard work throughout this process, so you need to be able to stay calm and relaxed.

• Download some soothing music to your iPod.
• Have a back massager on hand for your spouse or birth partner to rub your back when you start to get achy.

Whatever you need to help you relax, bring it with you to the hospital.

Surround Yourself with Love - The excitement of a baby tends to cause mothers to invite several people to be present for the birth. This may not a good idea. Naturally, you want to share this momentous occasion with many family and friends. But the labor room may not be a good time for a family reunion. Pick and choose your birth partners carefully. Be sure to surround yourself with people who can help keep you calm and focused during your labor.

Remember your Goal – Keep your goal in mind even through the pain. You are experiencing something wonderful, but it doesn’t come without lots of hard work. Your labor can become difficult and lengthy, so be ready for it. When you get tired, or feel like you just can’t take another minute, remind yourself that soon you’ll have a lovely little baby in your arms and it will all be forgotten.