How to Relieve Labor Pains Naturally

It seems like pregnancy is taking forever and your bundle of joy is never going to be here, but labor is coming sooner than you think. Before you know it, you'll start to feel contractions as your body prepares for delivery. Contractions range from mild to moderate on the pain scale. Medication is not the only way to relieve the pain. Try these natural ways to ease your pain and discomfort while you wait to meet your new bundle of joy.

Instructions

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      Breathe and try to relax. Breathing rapidly and tensing up increases the pain of contractions, says Stacey Rees, a certified nurse-midwife in Brooklyn, NY, writing on the "Parents" magazine website. Try taking long and deep breaths to cope with the contractions. Enjoy the relief in between contractions and don't stress about the intensity of the next one.

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      Move positions frequently to find one that is comfortable for the time being. Movement allows you to utilize gravity to help move your baby down the birth canal as he shifts and gets into the perfect position for delivery. It also encourages circulation in your body and certain positions can relieve some of the pain and discomfort.

      Try walking, bending over the bed, sitting on a birthing ball or getting on all fours. Your mobility might be limited if you're hooked up to monitors or an IV at a hospital.

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      Ask your birth coach or partner for a massage to help relieve pain and pressure. Massaging sites of pain, such as the lower back, eases tension and triggers the body to release natural relief. Use a warm compress before massaging to help loosen the muscles.

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      Get in the water. Water eases the pain of labor for some women. Take a warm shower and direct the stream to the site of the pain. Some hospitals also offer birthing tubs to labor in for natural relief.

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