Do you have anything to help with pain?

The short answer is yes! We have many techniques, tips and tricks to help you be more comfortable in labor.

Home birth is an appealing option but many wonder if they will be able to handle natural labor. I’m not going to lie, birth is hard work. There is an intensity to giving birth that is quite unique but it is manageable. I often say it is a marathon, not a sprint. It is something that you build up to, and that you need endurance to be able make it to the finish line. It becomes steady and predictable and then it’s over and you have the most wonderful blessing to show for all of your hard work. While watching a woman work her way through labor I have seen them rock, sway, sing, moan, blow raspberries, turn inward, deep breath and so much more. Most women find their own way of coping in the midst of labor.

Why is labor better at home?

• #1 reason- You’re at Home! Where do you want to be when you are sick or in pain? At work? At a friend’s house? A hospital? No! We want to be at home, because home is our comfort and our calm. We have everything we need at our homes are free to be ourselves. Crawling into your own bed is such a blessing when you do not feel well. Being in your own home feels safe and familiar. Do you know what happens when you feel comfortable and safe during labor? Endorphins flow which are our bodies’ natural pain killers. Oxytocin flows in a setting of trust which helps facilitate steady labor contractions. Based on my own experiences and observations, home, in and of itself, minimizes the pain. Also, not having to travel in labor is a huge plus!
  
• Freedom of movement: You move where and how you want when you’re in your own house. You don’t feel the need to ask to get out of bed, get a drink, or go down the hall. You don’t feel the need to be reserved or polite. You can move about in your home whenever and however you choose because it’s your personal space. A more comfortable labor is facilitated by freedom of movement. When you’re restricted to a small area or your bed, it can be challenging to move freely in the ways that are required to manage labor. Certain positions will feel wrong during labor, while others will be more comfortable. As midwives we are comfortable delivering babies in just about any position, in any space. We just follow the mom’s lead!
  
• Water-birth: Laboring in the water at the most difficult and intense parts of labor is an amazing relief for most women. I like to call it the aqua-dural. Both showers and tubs are great ways to help with pain relief during labor. Most home birth midwives are supportive and comfortable with both laboring and birthing in the water. I have heard many say the water was way more effective at providing relief than they had imagined.

In general, giving birth at home tends to be more comfortable. In addition, there are a lot of things you can do at home to help you cope with labor:

• Breathe & Relax: This can be very effective. Labor will be more comfortable and easier to manage by breathing deeply during each contraction and consciously trying to relax and release every part of your body. When you are relaxed, your hormones and muscles can do what they need to do to help you birth your baby. The labor process is made longer and harder when you resist due to the tension in your body.
  
• Hire a Doula: Doulas are amazing support for natural labor. They are skilled at supporting physiological birth and helping keep you comfortable and calm. Doulas are trained in both physical and mental comfort techniques. They use positions, touch techniques, rebozos, tens units, acupressure and so many other tools to keep you progressing, comfortable and ever closer to meeting your baby! I am a huge supporter of Doulas. It is statistically proven Doulas help lower your risk of needing medications for pain control. Doulas are an excellent support for both the laboring mother and her partner. They will stay with you from early in labor until breastfeeding is established.
  
• Childbirth Education Classes: As a midwife, I see that preparation for childbirth classes has a huge impact on how someone transitions to and during childbirth. Knowing what to expect and eliminating the fear by learning about childbirth can make a huge difference. The classes provide both you and your partner or support person withtools to help you deal with the acceleration of labor. If your support staff has the tools, they will be confident and help you stay calm while working. Childbirth classes help relieve the stress of childbirth. While being calm helps endorphins and oxytocin flow, stress has the opposite effect and can make work harder! So make sure to take our child birth ed class that is part of your WM package.

So, do we have anything to help with pain? Yes, we have lots of tools that can help! Every woman and every labor is different. There is no one size fits all fix for labor. No one can take away the intensity of childbirth, but being well prepared can help. The decisions you make leading up to your delivery, and the team and location you choose, can help make your delivery more comfortable and manageable.