Mentally Prepare for Labor

Your body is doing a great job getting physically ready for labor. Now make sure you're doing your part to MENTALLY prepare for the labor too!

Tip #1: Find Your “Happy Place”
Where is the one place that you feel most at peace? Maybe it’s a specific setting, like at your favorite café or sitting on a blanket in the middle of the park. Whatever or wherever you feel most at place is going to be your “happy place” in your mind. Practice focusing on that place where you feel calm and at peace with yourself. Hold those feelings for several minutes before you open your eyes. When you begin to feel anxious, close your eyes, take a deep breath and go to your happy place.

Tip #2: Envision a Calm Labor
Don’t let your mind run wild with all the stories you’ve heard other women talk about. Each labor is unique and much of it depends on how well you personally cope with it. What is the best possible way you would like your labor to go? Capture that in your mind. Think on it. Envision a happy, calm labor.

Tip #3: Practice Positive Thinking
It’s very easy to get wrapped up in negative thoughts about your labor. You’re already anxious about the coming day. Don’t allow negative thoughts to creep up and make you more nervous. Practice positive thinking. One way to do this is to speak positive affirmations every time you start thinking negative. Here are a few affirmations for you to practice:

• “I am strong and able to birth my child in a calm and positive environment.”
• “I can remain calm, even in the midst of this emotional time.”
• “I am the best mother for my child.”

Write your own positive affirmations and practice them daily.

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.

Labor - Options for Controlling the Pain

As you prepare for the birth of your baby, your doctor will discuss options available to you for pain management during labor. No two labors are the same and so the amount of pain you experience will depend on several factors such as your level of pain tolerance or the type of labor you’re having. For example “back labor” (this is when your baby’s spine is rubbing up against yours) can be more painful.

This quick reference guide will give you some pain control options. You should talk about your alternatives with your physician or midwife to determine which method you’d like to go with.

Option #1: Epidural

An epidural is administered by an anesthesiologist. This type of pain control is most common among women today. An epidural is dispensed in the lower back. It allows for continual pain management throughout your labor. This is my personal favorite option :) I opted for the epidural with all three of my deliveries and ALL of the births were easy for me and pain free!

Option #2: Intravenous medications

Intravenous (IV) medications can be administered during early phases of labor. This type of pain relief lasts only briefly, to give you some relief. IV medications can make you and your baby sleepy, so they are only used during early labor for pain relief.

Option #3: Mental relaxation

Women who are opting for natural births should utilize mental relaxation techniques. This type of pain control relies heavily on the mother keeping herself calm and relaxed during labor. You must be mentally strong and able to control your mind and thoughts. You should spend as much of your pregnancy as possible practicing relaxation techniques.

Option #4: Water Birth

Many pregnant women in labor like this method of pain management. In fact, hospitals around the world are incorporating water birthing centers into their labor and delivery floors. Using a tub or shower, you are able to better handle your labor contractions. Water seems to ease the tension and help women relax during their labor.

**Please note, if your waters break avoid water until you consult your midwife or physician.**

Option #5: Gas and Air (Entonox)

The gas, a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, is administered through a mask or mouthpiece, allowing women to control the amount they take in. When you feel a contraction you take in a deep breath of gas and it will alleviate your symptoms. Some women don’t like the gas because it makes them feel a bit drowsy or “drunk” while others find it really helps.

Like labor, all pain control options are not created equal. What works for some may not work for others. The best thing you can do is prepare yourself with as much information possible so that you can know all your choices before the big day arrives.