Ways to Cope up with Labor Pain

I agree with the previous posts, swaying help so much with the pain, also I labored into the shower on my hands and knees with the water coming down onto my lower back and hips for a long time.

Also, if you put in your birth plan that you want to be able to move around and talk with your doctor about it the hospital will not make you stay in your bed once you arrive and most hospitals have exercise balls and other items that you can use during labor. I had my last child naturally and it hurt but wasn't unbearable since I was prepared.

Good luck!

The previous 6 responses are all full of good advice...A word of caution. having experienced a lot of braxton hicks myself, while it is false labor it is also a way to get your body ready for the real thing and can cause you to go throught the real thing a lot faster. I had braxton hicks for a month solid with my first child and was put on bed rest and told not to come in until my water broke. Once it did my oldest child was born a mere 9 hours and 45 min later...and my real contractions didn't start until about 2 hours after my water broke...meaning I was only in actual labor for about 7 hours and 45 min... (and it would have probably been less if I hadn't had to stop pushing every time because her heart rate would drop drastically causing a significant worry and the need for me to take oxygen).

With my twins I also experienced braxton hicks on and off for months prior to giving birth, and they were born a mere 7 and 1/2 hours after my water broke with labor pains starting 3 and a half hours after my water broke...

Some women take a long time to progress...some women are very fast...and some women are a combination of the two...once I hit 8cm it was a matter of moments before i was 10 cm and ready to push, in both cases...So please be careful with how long you wish to stay home prior to going to the hospital and if your water breaks please get to the hospital asap...

Good Luck and congratulations!!! ;-)

I surprised myself with staying at home in labor for 10 hours before I left to go to the hospital.....I had the nurses on the phone basically yelling at me to go to the hospital....but my water hadn't broke, so I wasn't in a hurry.

Walk, walk and walk.....I did this in circles around my house while taking deep breaths in and out. Also, what really helped with my back pain I was having was bending over and putting my elbows on the back of a chair or end of the bed and swaying my hips back and forth. The swaying is what kept me from hurting so bad and I've heard that it helps the baby get in position to come out?!?! I don't know if that is true or not.

By the time I reached the hospital, I was at 4cm and about 6 hours later we had our daughter. I never thought that with my first child (being so inexperienced with child birth) I would have been calm enough to stay home that long. I had heard though that once you get to the hospital that you basically get in bed and stay there (which doesn't help you progress) and that was the truth. Once I got the hospital, they had me hooked up to so many things that there was no way I could get out of bed to walk.

This is your second child though, so you should know how it all works. : ) Good luck to you!!!

You've gotten great responses. I'm so glad your going for vbac. I got my two vbac's at home and was so thrilled. Movement is really key to coping. Whether it is rocking in a glider, bouncing on an exercise ball or just swaying it's a great way to release the energy as it's building up through contractions. Vocalizing is important too. Keep your voice low and deep as much as possible.
Stay in the moment and try not to anticipate anything. Don't be afraid of contractions, welcome them and the pain will end the very moment you meet your baby.

Blessings

If you haven't taken the childbirth classes, I would definitely suggest to take those with your husband/partner.

Whichever hospital or birthing center you are using should offer the classes. They give you a lot of tips and tricks, breathing techniques etc.

If I had not taken the class I think I would have lost my mind. I did most of my first stage labor at home. ONce my contractions became more regular (5-8 minutes apart) my OB said go to the hospital. ON the way there I hit the transition stage and oh man!! When I got to the hospital I was 4 cm dilated but then within 20 minutes I was8-10 cm and if I had not used those breathing techniques with my husband I don't know how I would have got through it.

My husband had me look at him, and his face was very close to mine and he helped me use the breathing techniques until the contraction passed.

The reason I suggest to take the class is because if you do the breathing techniques incorrectly you could pass out or become extremly nauseous.

If you are having back contractions, there are massage techniques they show you that your husband can do. They also show you different positions that may help you be more comfortable.

Good luck!!

Something that helped me during labor was changing positions- even sitting cross legged helped. You could check out a book on the Bradley method if you are interested in learning more about positioning.

Another thing that me helped was focusing on the goal- trying not to focus on the fact that the contraction hurt, but that the contraction was helping my body prepare for labor and the pain serves a purpose.

Also being dehydrated can cause contractions so make sure you are getting plenty of fluids, especially with the heat of summer.

I found that a nice bath, not too warm, was a GREAT way to ease labor, water has amazing effects on your body, if you have a pool or access to one that would work too. If you have done lamaze then you know about lamaze breathing but I found that moaning (deep low throaty growling kind of noises) really helped more. I know that seems odd but it was very relaxing and I managed to stay home through transition (8+ cm).

Good luck!