Natural Childbirth Pain Relief

Natural childbirth pain relief methods can soothe and relax you but will not entirely stop the pain. Some methods do need to be practised before the birth so that you know how to do them and they can have the desired effect.

Heat and cold: Applying heat or cold can be soothing. It will not get rid of the pain but it can make it easier to cope with. A hot water bottle can reduce backache or cramp.

Movement: Keeping mobile improves your circulation and can help to reduce backache. Try different positions in labour and rock slowly or walk around.

Massage: This relieves tension and improves circulation, reducing the intensity of the labour pain.

Acupuncture: Fine needles inserted into specific points of the body relieve pain by releasing the body’s own painkillers, endorphins.

Giving birth in water: Water supports the body and might also speed up a slow labour. A water birth may reduce your chances of tearing during labour because it helps you to relax.

Hypnosis: Hypnosis for birth was pioneered in the USA and is now available in many other countries. Look out for our new page on hypno-birthing.

There are also certain herbal remedies that can help calm you while in labour. Camomile tea is often recommended but be very careful which others you use, as herbs are by no means gentle or innocuous. They can have profound effects on the body and the mind, so during pregnancy you need to be especially careful.

Black cohosh has been used for generations by midwives to help regulate contractions...either by stimulating them or by evening them out. I recall being given raspberry leaf tea during late pregnancy to help relax the muscles and make delivery easier - a very palatable form of natural childbirth pain relief - but it's not a good idea to take it if there's any risk of miscarriage. Going to a recognised and qualified herbalist is by far the safest course.

A final DON'T is regarding the use of fenugreek. Although this is a common kitchen herb that some associate with labour, it's actually used to induce labour...so could cause premature delivery or miscarriage if it wasn't used properly. Herbs are as powerful as drugs!

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