How to relieve pain during contractions. How can I ease and independently relieve pain from contractions and pushing during childbirth in order to better endure them? Thigh massage during contractions

Fear of pain during childbirth is rooted in a woman’s soul from the very beginning, and even after giving birth once, she can continue to be afraid. It is clear why it occurs; everyone says that there is nothing more painful than childbirth. Someone compares the pain of childbirth to breaking 20 bones at once, someone says that it was the greatest pain in his life.

If you are expecting a child, you, of course, try your best to be positive. Thanks to the availability of information, there comes an understanding that this is a natural process that should not cause much pain. By the end of the term, you calm down and the desire to end the pregnancy becomes stronger than these fears. But the question of whether childbirth is easier still remains. Even the most confident person should have hope that if it suddenly hurts too much, they will help him.

Do they take painkillers during childbirth?

Of course, it is possible to make childbirth easy and painless, and almost 90% of women in labor now use analgesics during childbirth in one form or another. You can do it in such a way that the woman will simply oversleep them, and she will have to be woken up at the most crucial moment.

Pain relief during childbirth has even become a source of additional income for maternity hospitals; almost everywhere you can get this service for a fee (we are talking about epidural anesthesia). At the antenatal clinic, you may be given a list of things you need for the maternity hospital; it may still include medications intended to ease contractions.

Now you have plenty of chances to think through childbirth, although from the point of view of what is best for mother and child during physiological childbirth, birth without drugs is, of course, preferable.

How can you relieve pain during childbirth?

There are several options to make childbirth painless. They differ in effectiveness and safety. Another question is whether this is necessary. Sometimes loss of pain sensitivity is vital. For example, if contractions are strong, frequent, but ineffective, and the cervix does not dilate.

The following methods are used for this process:

Physiological. This includes a relaxing lower back massage, calm music, special breathing techniques and exercises, a bath and shower.
Spinal and - a special injection during childbirth in the spine with the introduction of drugs to the spinal cord. The most reliable and modern method. This injection during childbirth begins to act literally after 5 minutes, completely relieving pain.
Other drugs are also used during childbirth, which are administered intramuscularly, intravenously and in other ways. These are mainly antispasmodics, narcotic analgesics and drugs that affect the central nervous system. Nitrous oxide (an anesthetic) is even used, which the woman breathes through a mask, independently adjusting the degree of pain relief.
Acupuncture and other physiotherapeutic methods of influence. Not used in all maternity hospitals.

It also happens: at the end of the second stage of labor, very intense, frequent contractions occur for about 40 minutes - 1 hour, leading to complete dilatation of the cervix. The fatigue that has accumulated over the past hours makes itself felt, a strong feeling of pressure appears on the bottom, the baby presses his head on the cervix and sacral plexus, the head presses tightly against the entrance to the pelvis and there is very little time left before the baby is born.

A woman who says a firm “no” to any medical interventions may simply break down at this time. It is at such moments that a woman in labor most often screams - give me a caesarean section, do at least something, stop this! But right now it’s too late to do anything. If a woman in labor is given a medicine that really relieves pain, the baby may have complications after birth, for example, respiratory depression.

And then the necessary injection is given as a placebo. For example, no-spa is introduced, which generally has no effect on the uterus. This injection is given only to calm the mother while she waits for it to take effect - she will have time to give birth.

How to relieve pain during childbirth yourself

The degree of severity of pain during childbirth largely depends on how the woman in labor perceives the birth act. If you resist contractions and clamp down, then your body quickly gets tired and you begin to feel pain. It often happens that a woman initially expects pain during childbirth and thereby provokes its appearance. It's a vicious circle - the more you resist the contractions, the stronger the pain, the stronger the pain, the more you clamp down. The uterus is working with all its might, but the cervix cannot open - you prevent it from doing this with your fear.

The pain syndrome increases due to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles of the uterus and its resistance to itself: some muscles work to open, while others spasm and do not allow it to open. Due to the fact that currently almost all expectant mothers have the opportunity to attend childbirth preparation courses, you have the opportunity to learn in advance how to relieve pain during childbirth yourself.

During the courses you will learn everything about special breathing and relaxation techniques during childbirth, about exercises that help, you will tune in to the fact that giving birth is not painful, and should not be painful. It’s good if your partner, not necessarily your husband, is with you during the birth. Even your mother, aunt or friend can act as an assistant during childbirth. She needs to take these courses with you. Here they will teach you how to do a relaxing massage during childbirth, breathe with the woman in labor, support and guide her at the right moment.

Yes, childbirth cannot be completely painless. Of course, there will be discomfort. You can partly influence how much discomfort and pain you will feel. And remember that if you suddenly can’t cope, there are alternative ways to relieve pain, analgesics are used during childbirth, and if you need it, they will help you.

Women experience pain differently. For some, special breathing techniques are enough to successfully overcome pain during childbirth; for others, pain management is recommended.

The choice of medications that help overcome pain during childbirth is large. We recommend exploring your options so you can make the right choice: Discuss all your options with your obstetrician well before your due date so you have all the information you need when it comes to delivery.

It should also be remembered that in each individual case the choice of painkiller depends on certain conditions and characteristics of childbirth and the woman’s health condition. The doctor will assess your condition, comfort and health during childbirth and help you decide on the method of pain relief.

You should not feel guilty about asking your doctor for pain relief. Only you know best how you feel, so only you can make decisions regarding pain relief during childbirth. Moreover, there is no need to worry about the safety of the pain medication. All drugs used for pain relief during childbirth are safe - both for you and for the baby.

Medicines for pain relief during labor and childbirth

There are three ways to relieve pain during labor and childbirth:

Local anesthesia is used during childbirth to numb a specific area or after birth if stitches are needed.

Regional anesthesia (epidural, spinal) is used by an anesthesiologist (a doctor who administers pain medication) during labor to reduce discomfort. With both epidural and spinal anesthesia, a painkiller is injected into the lower back, near the nerves, blocking pain over a large area of the body while keeping you awake. Regional anesthesia significantly reduces discomfort and pain during childbirth. It is also used if a caesarean section is necessary.

General anesthesia means insensitivity to pain with complete loss of consciousness. General anesthesia is safe, however, it is used extremely rarely, only in emergency conditions, since it does not allow the mother to see the child immediately after birth.

In addition, pain medications may be injected into a vein or muscle to numb the pain. In this case, pain sensations are not completely blocked, however, you will feel much less pain. This method is used mainly at the beginning of labor so that you can rest and gain strength before giving birth, since the drugs affect the entire body and can cause drowsiness in you and the baby.

What is the difference between epidural and spinal anesthesia?

Spinal anesthesia involves injecting a drug into the middle of the dura mater, which is located next to the spine. With an epidural, a drug is injected into the spinal column, outside the bursa that surrounds the spinal cord.

Spinal anesthesia requires less drug than epidural; Moreover, spinal anesthesia works faster, however, it is more likely to cause headaches and low blood pressure.

How is regional anesthesia performed?

If you ask for regional anesthesia, you may have an epidural or spinal anesthesia, or a combination of these types of anesthesia. Your doctor will choose the type of regional anesthesia based on your overall health and how labor is progressing.

After the anesthesiologist takes your medical history, he will numb a small area in your lower back with a local anesthetic. The anesthesiologist will then insert a special needle into the numb area to find the desired position and administer an anesthetic. After administering the drug, the anesthesiologist will remove the needle. In most cases, the doctor will leave an epidural catheter—a small plastic tube—at the site where the needle was inserted to administer medications during labor, if needed.

During the procedure, the woman can sit or lie on her side.

At what point during contractions is regional anesthesia given?

The optimal time for regional anesthesia depends on the progress of labor, your condition, and the condition of the baby. Your OB/GYN will determine the best time to administer anesthesia.

Will anesthesia affect the baby?

Numerous studies have shown that regional anesthesia, both epidural and spinal, is safe for mother and baby.

How quickly will the anesthesia take effect and how long will it last?

Epidural anesthesia begins to take effect 10-20 minutes after administration. The analgesic effect lasts as long as you need it, since the drug can be administered through a catheter at any time.

Spinal anesthesia takes effect immediately after administration. The analgesic effect lasts about 2.5 hours. If labor is expected to last longer than this time, you will have an epidural catheter inserted to continue the drug.

Will you feel anything after the anesthetic is administered?

Although you will feel significant relief from the anesthesia, you may still feel pressure from the contractions. You may also feel pressure when being examined by a doctor.

Will I need to stay in bed after receiving regional anesthesia?

Not necessary. The anesthesiologist can provide pain relief so that you can sit in a chair or walk. Sitting and walking can promote labor. If you want to know more about this, ask your doctor about walking with an epidural. However, it should be remembered that this type of anesthesia is not possible in all cases.

Will regional anesthesia slow down labor?

For some women, contractions and labor slow down a little after regional anesthesia—not for long. Most women, however, find that regional anesthesia helps them relax, improves contractions and allows them to rest.

Every woman eagerly awaits the birth of her baby, and the closer this day is, the more anxiety and fear of pain appears. In principle, childbirth is the most natural process inherent in nature. The body itself knows what needs to be done in this case, and the woman can only be patient in order to overcome the fear of a previously unknown process.

Women are most afraid of contractions, because everyone knows the legends about piercing pain, from which women even lose consciousness. But most often women lose consciousness not from the pain itself, but from the fear they experience. By the way, against the background of fear, the pain increases tenfold, because the tension increases, but women need to remember that panic in this case is not their help. The best thing to do in such a situation is to simply relax and then the pain will go away.

Is it possible to relieve pain from contractions?

Contractions are called contractions of the muscles of the uterine walls, as a result of which the cervix opens and the baby moves along the birth canal.

Prenatal contractions occur approximately every half hour and last no more than 20 seconds. Then the interval shortens, and the duration of contractions increases. During contractions, it is better to try to take the optimal position in which the least pain is felt. Such a position definitely exists, and if you don’t panic, you can find it.

It is better if at this time there is a beloved man nearby who can calm the woman in labor with his touches and strokes. You can even massage your lower back, neck or back. As a last resort, a man can simply hold the hand of his beloved, supporting her in this way. In addition, several simple techniques are offered that will help relieve pain during childbirth.

Pain-relieving massage during contractions

You can independently massage the protrusions of the ilium on both the left and right.
During active contractions, you can stroke your tummy with your fingertips. It is important to monitor your breathing here.
The hands are clenched into fists and they press on the lumbosacral region.

These simple steps will help reduce pain during contractions. It is important to monitor your breathing. It should be deep and rhythmic. Between contractions you need to relax and rest as much as possible in order to gather your strength.

Equally important for a woman giving birth is her mood. If she panics, worries, is afraid and rushes about, then this will most likely harm her. It is better to change your position and enjoy the next contraction, because it brings the moment when the baby will appear. That is why it is necessary to meet each new fight with joy.

Between contractions, it is better to imagine something pleasant and peaceful, while thinking that everything goes in accordance with nature. You can listen to your favorite music, preferably classical, it is very relaxing.

Despite the fact that the birth of a child is a natural process, it causes incredible suffering to the mother. Intense labor pain is observed during contractions, which can last quite a long time, and during the pushing period.

Is it possible to give birth without pain? How can I ease contractions and endure them more calmly? Is it possible to give anesthesia when there is a lot of pain? What to do if you are afraid to give birth?

Is natural childbirth possible without pain?

Natural childbirth is always accompanied by severe pain. Their intensity is determined by the characteristics of the woman in labor, her pain threshold and state of health. The degree of preparedness of the muscles for the birth process is also important.

Childbirth is divided into three stages:

Contractions. During them, the cervix opens, which has a large number of receptors. The uterus begins to contract, gradually reducing the time interval between contractions. The uterine ligaments are stretched and the pressure in the peritoneum increases. Pain is felt throughout the entire abdominal area, extending to the lower back.
Attempts. The baby moves down the birth canal, stretching it. The pain shifts to the vagina, rectum and perineum. It is sharp and has precise localization.
The birth of the placenta, or child's place. As a rule, it is completely painless.

Susceptibility to pain may increase if the woman in labor is not mentally prepared for it. The state of panic and fear has a negative effect - the release of the stress and fear hormones adrenaline and cortisol increases spasms, making contractions more difficult to endure.

Objectively, the pain can be very severe in the case of premature delivery, the birth of a large baby, prolonged labor, stimulation of labor with oxytocin, and also if the woman had painful periods before pregnancy.

How to make the birth process easier?

Although the pain cannot be completely eliminated, it can be reduced. Not only modern medicines come to the rescue, but also the methods of our ancestors.

A woman should be concerned in advance with the question of how to facilitate childbirth and contractions. There are several ways to relieve pain during labor, which a pregnant woman learns about in courses for expectant parents.

Nature itself helps a woman: her body produces a whole complex of hormones that act as a pain reliever. Correct behavior and breathing work wonders. The woman in labor no longer concentrates so much on the contractions; she is distracted from the unpleasant sensations. In case of severe labor, there are medical workers nearby who, if necessary, will alleviate the woman’s condition with medication. How to behave during contractions and pushing to make them easier to bear and less painful?

Positive attitude

Remember that childbirth is a normal process of the birth of a person, there is no need to be afraid of it. However, you should thoroughly prepare for an important event:

Pack your bag for the maternity hospital in advance. In case of early birth, you will not have to rush around the house looking for documents and things.
Choose a maternity hospital and obstetrician. You need to go to the maternity ward and talk to the doctor no later than a month before the upcoming birth.
Decide whether your spouse will be present at the birth of the child. If yes, then he also needs to undergo psychological training (and do the necessary tests on time). Not all men are mentally prepared to be with a woman in labor, so you need to decide on this issue as early as possible. You can take your mother or a close friend as your partner.

How can you help yourself to be positive? At the school for pregnant women, they will give advice on how to ease the pain during contractions and set her up in an optimistic mood. Indeed, very soon she will be able to press the long-awaited baby to her chest, what could be more beautiful? You need to go into childbirth with such positive thoughts and emotions.

It has been proven that nervous tension and fear negatively affect the dilatation of the cervix. The lengthy process causes unbearable suffering to the woman in labor and prolongs labor. Many women consider this period more difficult compared to pushing, because they pass much faster. Relaxation, calmness and self-confidence will allow you to experience contractions less painfully.

If a pregnant woman is haunted by fear and cannot cope with it on her own, it makes sense to visit a psychologist. As a rule, a specialist is seen in a antenatal clinic. He will tell you how to understand the cause of anxiety and set the woman in labor up for good emotions.

Preparing muscles for childbirth in the last trimester (exercises, massage, diet)

Not only the mind, but also the body must be prepared for childbirth, because soon it will have hard work. During pregnancy, a woman is advised to monitor her physical health.

Help to give birth easily:

Daily set of exercises. It aims to strengthen muscles and prevent tears. The most famous are Kegel exercises for the perineal muscles. They have been proven to reduce the risk of damage to this area and help the uterus recover faster after childbirth.
Vaginal massage using natural oil. It improves the elasticity of tissues, the likelihood of injury during childbirth is noticeably reduced.
Dieting. In the last month of pregnancy, you must strictly adhere to a special diet. It is recommended to give up meat, fish and eggs, limit the consumption of dairy products, and reduce salt intake. Be sure to eat vegetable oils (olive, flaxseed). This menu promotes good tissue stretching and easy passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Comfortable positions during contractions

During contractions, a woman needs to listen to her body and take a position that will allow her to withstand the pain. Some find it convenient to stand on all fours with their back arched, while others find it easier to squat. You can lie on your left side and bend your legs under you.

Only during contractions will a woman be able to choose a position that is comfortable for herself. It is necessary to exclude pressure on the abdomen; in all other respects, the woman in labor is not limited.

Shower, massage, movements

A warm shower will relax you and distract you from suffering. Some obstetricians advise sitting in a bath filled with warm water, which will relieve pain to some extent. However, this should not be done if your water has broken.

Close people can give the expectant mother a lower back massage. It is in this area that severe pain radiates. During the course, your partner will be taught how to give a relaxing massage to a woman in labor; it will definitely come in handy during labor.

Movement between contractions will speed up the dilation of the cervix. You can simply walk, climb the stairs or swing on a fitball. You only need to stop for the duration of contractions, remembering to count the intervals between them.

Music and aromatherapy

Music and aromatherapy are a great addition to all the methods described above. They will help you calm down and relax, and this is the key to an easy delivery. Experts note that listening to your favorite songs has a positive effect on the progress of childbirth.

You can use aromatherapy as a distraction from pain. It is believed that jasmine oil accelerates labor, while lavender and bergamot oil soothe. Rose essential oil reduces pain; to do this, you just need to drop a few drops of the substance into the aroma lamp.

All for fitball!

This is a large ball on which you can lean your elbows during contractions, lie down on it (we recommend reading:). When the contraction has subsided, you are allowed to swing on the fitball or even jump. It relieves stress from the spine well and distracts the mother from pain.

Fitball is now available in almost all maternity wards. If this is not provided, you can bring the ball with you, it will certainly come in handy. The fitball should be soft, slightly deflated, and it should be selected taking into account your height.

Proper breathing and... singing!

Proper breathing plays an important role in the birth process. Depending on the stage of labor, the breathing method also differs:

Unreasonable use of painkillers has a negative impact on the child. No matter how much you want to eliminate the pain, it is better to endure it than to treat the baby later.

Partner childbirth is always a big responsibility: whether the expectant mother is accompanied by a friend, husband or one of her relatives, he should become a support and, if possible, alleviate the suffering of the woman in labor. Teachers in prenatal training courses often mention ways to alleviate a woman’s suffering due to contractions, but we decided to systematize this information.

1. Facial massage helps relieve stress and relax;

2. Remind the expectant mother to go to the toilet every hour: a full bladder is not only very unpleasant, but also increases the feeling of contractions;

3. Place a cold compress on the mother’s neck and face or lightly moisten it with cool water;

4. If doctors do not prohibit it, you can offer the woman water and light snacks - they will help replenish the energy that the expectant mother loses during labor;

5. Help the woman in labor change her position to speed up the process of cervical dilatation. Some positions will be painful, others will give a little respite from the pain, your task is to find the best option for it;

6. During contractions, the expectant mother suffers from back pain: massage her lower back, lightly press on the sacrum. The position “on all fours” also helps to cope with pain;

7. Be close: Even if a woman does not want to be massaged during contractions, feeling the presence and support of a loved one is very important. Encourage her with words, hold her hand;

Light shower. Many doctors agree that water perfectly relaxes muscles and relieves pain, so if there are no contraindications, you can help a woman take a warm shower;

9. Try to distract the woman from the pain: if her condition allows, talk to her, listen to her favorite music, read something interesting. Be a mediator between the woman in labor and the medical staff;

10. Remind her that soon the painful sensations will pass, and the expectant mother will be able to hold her baby in her arms - this always works.

Video: Childbirth without pain

The appearance of contractions

Many women who will become mothers for the first time are worried that they will miss the onset contractions. In the last weeks of pregnancy, false contractions are observed, which are mistaken for harbingers of labor, but real contractions cannot be confused with anything. Harbingers of contractions can be: the passage of amniotic fluid, the appearance of a mucus plug that clogs the cervix, dull pain in the hips or back. The first contractions are similar to the pain and cramps during menstruation, but soon these sensations intensify. When contractions become regular, it's time to rush to the hospital. When the situation stabilizes, the duration of contractions ranges from 40 seconds.

This is the beginning of the first stage of labor, when the cervix begins to dilate. If this is your first birth, your uterine muscles may contract for 10-12 hours, so don't be alarmed or worried. You will have a formal interview and first examination at the maternity hospital; you may be asked to take a test for the presence of protein and sugar. If your water hasn't broken yet, you can take a shower.

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Comfortable positions during contractions

You can relieve pain or at least get a little distraction by changing body positions - your birth partner can help you with this.

Vertical position. Effective in the initial stages of contractions: you can lean against a wall or bed. You can sit on a chair (facing the back), leaning on a pillow. To make sitting softer, another pillow can be placed on the surface of the chair. Lower your head into your hands, breathe calmly and measuredly, spread your knees to the sides;
Kneeling or supported position. During contractions, you can put your hands on your husband's shoulders and lean on him while standing. Ask for a relaxing massage. You can also kneel down, spread your legs, and place your hands on the pillow. Try to keep your back straight;
"On knees". It is most convenient to take this position on a mattress: make forward movements with your pelvis, try to relax between contractions, resting your head on your hands. If you put your weight on your arms, you will reduce the back pain caused by the baby's head during cephalic presentation (it rests directly on the mother's spine). In the intervals between spasms, you can walk, your partner can massage - pressing in a circular motion on the base of the spine is especially effective;
Movement helps to cope with the pain from contractions - you should walk at intervals, keeping your back straight, then the baby's head will rest against the cervix and the dilatation process will go faster. Try to relax during breaks, focus on breathing. Visit the restroom more often - a full bladder is not the best feeling, and it can interfere with the progress of the fetus.

Second stage of labor or pushing

For a woman, the most difficult time is the end of the first phase, contractions become long and painful, and also very frequent. At this moment, the woman needs help and support, since you may encounter tears, depression, the expectant mother may begin to feel chills or begin to fall asleep. Breathe with her, support her, wipe away the sweat. If you see that the woman in labor is cold, take care of a warm robe and socks. If you start pushing, call your midwife.

The second period is the expulsion of the fetus, so in addition to contractions, the woman in labor needs to make her own efforts, listen to the guidance of the midwife. The duration of this period is up to several hours.

Video: Breathing during contractions and pushing

Positions for the second phase of labor:

"On knees". Gravity opens your pelvis faster, but you may feel tired quickly. It is best if your husband sits on the edge of the chair and spreads his knees, and you can sit comfortably between them and rest your hands on his thighs;
On the knees. The position is less tiring and reduces pain. It is best to have your spouse support you to make your body more stable. If you feel tired, lean on your hands, but keep your back straight;
Sitting on the bed. If it’s not very comfortable, surround yourself with pillows. As you begin to push, you can lower your head down and clasp your legs with your hands; do not forget to rest in the interval.

Childbirth

During this period, all the expectant mother needs is to listen to the doctors’ instructions. As soon as the baby's head appears, you will no longer need to push, relax, catch your breath. After a few contractions, the baby’s body will appear: after the little miracle is placed on the woman’s stomach, the torment is quickly forgotten. Then the baby is taken for examination: the neonatologist makes a control weighing, takes measurements, and cuts the umbilical cord.

After giving birth, women often receive an injection that increases the contractions of the uterus to help the placenta come out faster, otherwise, if you wait until it comes out naturally, you can lose a lot of blood. This issue is discussed in advance with the doctor, as is pain relief.

Childbirth is a tiring and difficult process, but all unpleasant sensations are forgotten when you hold your baby for the first time.