When asked the question, what worked for you? Several homebirth mums shared their experience. Regardless of where you actually give birth, the majority of women spend early labour in their homes, so these top tips from mums in the know may be helpful to consider….
Distraction- Whether it’s Desperate Housewives or Solitaire, find something engaging in early labour to take your mind off the pain. The more you concentrate on the discomfort the worse it will seem, so find the (restful) distraction that works for you and go wild!
Massage- This ancient cure for all sorts of ailments works for pain too, so rope in your birth partner get them to try a few gentle back massage techniques and be directive about the one that does the business. Light finger tapping taught in natal hypnotherapy was described by one of the mums as a real winner.
Warmth- Whether it’s a warm bath, a hot water bottle, a wheat bag or a snuggle under the duvet, heat can be really effective in easing early labour pains.
EFT -Emotional Freedom Technique is a practice based on the meridian points of traditional Chinese medicine. EFT combines gentle tapping with important affirmations related to the upcoming birth. Women can use these techniques at home throughout their pregnancy. It provides a quick and easy way to reduce fear and, most importantly, to build a woman’s confidence in her body’s ability to give birth.
Natal Hypnotherapy- Hypnotherapy is based on easy relaxation and visualisation techniques that enable women to harness the incredible power of their subconscious to bring their baby into the world. Using hypnosis for childbirth, women exert a remarkable degree of control over their minds and bodies, allowing for reduced pain, fear, and anxiety during labour.
Breathing- Yes, this simple subconscious activity can, when focused on help relieve the pain of contractions. Even though many are tempted to hold their breath when in pain, it is undeniably important to breathe deeply allowing the maximum amount of oxygen to enter the body. Breathe in through your nose and out through the mouth in a rhythm that you feel comfortable with.
