Childbirth is an automatic, natural process. Our body simply starts giving birth at the right moment and knows how to do it. In most cases, no one needs to help it, no one needs to advise the woman. It's like digestion or breathing, we can't rush them, we can't actively help them. But what we can do, and what we do very often today, is that we slow down and inhibit our birth due to the great fear and stress we experience. We can even stop it at any moment. When? Whenever we don't feel well. Human birth is a very intimate process during which a woman must feel good, safe.
When a woman doesn't feel well, is ashamed or scared, her body triggers a stress reaction that has been preparing us for flight or attack since ancient times. Therefore, blood and oxygen are supplied mainly to those parts of the body that a person needs to get out of an unpleasant situation. The uterus is unnecessary in this case, and so it bleeds out. And then the contractions start to hurt. The whole body is also contracted and the birth canals, which are normally soft and relaxed, become stiff.
Painless childbirth is definitely not just for the chosen ones. It is a matter of good preparation, especially psychological preparation. Pain anywhere on the body has always been, is and will be a manifestation of the stress we experience. And that is very good news, because stress can be worked with.
What can you do?
It will be best if you stay calm. Good preparation will pay off in any case. We fear the unknown the most. Childbirth is a unique event in the lives of women today, an experience that repeats itself once or twice in a lifetime. Don't be afraid to be active during pregnancy and, on the contrary, "do nothing" during childbirth. Find out information, be curious, ask questions about everything. The ideal is to get to a state where, as soon as your labor begins and you feel the first contractions of your uterus, you will be calm and relaxed. Because you will know exactly what awaits you, where you will go, who will be there and what will happen there. And during the birth itself, do what you find pleasant and enjoyable. Don't be afraid to ask for anything that will do you good, or refuse everything or everyone that will not do you good.
And the pain? Don't focus on it, but don't forbid it either. And if it does come, try to perceive what is happening. What bothers you, what is unpleasant? What are you solving? What can you change about the situation? The pain can easily go away, you just need to return to your peace and trust. And let your body do what it really can do, which is give birth to a baby.
How to make childbirth easier? The preparation itself is important. This can be a quality prenatal course, for some, gravid yoga or hypnobirthing techniques. Various types of massages are also very effective, which increase the elasticity of the tissue and relieve any pain. We also recommend using birth aids and training to push out your newborn. Not only is it easier to practice with them, but it is also much more effective and only takes a few minutes a day. Birth aids will help you avoid the risk of cutting or tearing your perineum.
As a dietary supplement, you can try tea made from raspberry, blackberry and strawberry leaves, which has an effect on the activity of smooth muscles and can shorten the duration of labor. Flaxseed is also said to have similar properties, which helps shorten labor (must be crushed!). Minerals such as magnesium, potassium and sodium are also beneficial during pregnancy and labor, as they are excellent for relieving pain and preventing total exhaustion during labor.
Natural ways to relieve labor pain
The experience of labor pain varies from woman to woman. The woman's attitude towards the labor process and her current mental state always play an important role. Is a painless birth even possible? Women have given birth for thousands of years without epidural analgesia, but that doesn't mean they haven't tried to relieve themselves in other ways. Learn about natural ways to relieve labor pain.
Water - a popular relaxing agent is water. Whether it's a bath or a shower, water reduces the intensity of pain. If you decide to give birth in a bathtub, you must have a birthing pool available, which is not common in Czech maternity hospitals. Labor is accelerated by immersion in a birthing pool at the right time, when the water is 37° C, and the body relaxes in it. Water birth may appeal to you, but when the actual birth occurs, that may change. Listen to your body and be prepared for the fact that not everything you write in your birth plan and what you wish for before giving birth will be appropriate and that you will want to implement.
Massage - a massage of the back, feet, and areas below the knees can help. It can be performed by a partner or a doula. In the case of lower back pain, there are several things you can do to relieve yourself. Choosing the right position is important. Avoid lying on your back, which is often not at all pleasant for the woman, but also disadvantageous for the baby (by the way, it takes up up to 30% of the space in the birth canal for the baby). Try the position on all fours, on your side, leaning forward against the bed, squatting, kneeling... Try alternating them. It is important to have your knees far apart to the sides, so you open the pelvis and the baby will be able to enter the birth canal better. Then there is the massage already mentioned. This is done with circular movements in the area lower back. It is important to tell your partner how hard to massage so that it is pleasant for you. Some women are comfortable with massage during contractions, others outside of them. The intensity can also vary.
Breathing and relaxation– a proven remedy not only for lower back pain are breathing techniques and relaxation. The goal is to induce a state of maximum relaxation, because the pain is caused by tightening a certain area. We recommend trying a slow, long inhale and then a slow, long exhale during contractions. The longer the better. If you focus on your breath, you will not perceive the pain. It is good to do everything that helps you relax. Many women find visualizations helpful during childbirth. Try imagining something pleasant, such as cool ocean waves. You can perceive the contraction itself as a wave that rises, has its peak and falls. Imagine yourself as a dolphin jumping over the waves. It may seem like a fairy tale, but visualizations can really help a lot.
Acupressure – the traditional Chinese method of acupressure points also works during childbirth. Points on the feet are pressed, which support contractions and can induce labor. So if you are “overdue”, try acupressure first.
Aromatherapy – aromatherapy can also help. Rose petals and clary sage support the opening of the birth canal, lavender and chamomile are calming.
Homeopathy – medicines to be used during labor and later to support healing in the postpartum period. There are also homeopathic remedies that help with anxiety or fear of childbirth, or those that are suitable for your partner. Try consulting a homeopath or reading in online counseling.
Environment – childbirth is a very intimate matter, so the environment should also be adapted. Dimmed lights help relaxation and self-immersion. Favorite music can also help. The better and safer you feel, the calmer you will be, the love hormone will naturally flow out and not adrenaline, which is the enemy of childbirth.
