Pain Relief Options that are NOT an Epidural

 

I get it. No one wants to travail in pain when there's an epidural at the ready in most hospital settings. I mean, really, it's 2023, no woman wants to holler like a banshee in labor pains for hours when a doctor can just 'bring on the drugs!'

I'm being sarcastic y'all! In a perfect world, we'd all be having natural, unmedicated births. I know that's not a reality for all due to birth traumas, fear, and pressure (from doctors, relatives and even your own intrusive thoughts telling you that you can't do it). But mama, I'm here to empower you. If a natural, unmedicated birth is what you want - your body can do it! 

Don't get me wrong - a woman's birthing experience is HER experience. You're allowed to opt for a medicated birth! In fact, I'm going to still work with you, support you, and assist with welcoming your bundle of joy into the world whether or not you have an unmedicated birth. I'm going to support you even if you get a C-section.

But what if I told you that there are other ways to experience a joyous birth, with a lot less pain than what you think? In fact, epidurals, while they're pushed as the 'easy route' for pain relief, can often be fentanyl or stadol filled (opioids) and can have a lasting, negative effect on your body and your baby. 

There are other options for pain relief when giving birth. One thing to remember is that your body CAN do this! So many women are disempowered in traditional birthing settings like hospitals. They're told that their body can't do a thing, that their mind won't let them process birthing, that they have to adhere to a doctor's timeline and clock and not their body's own timeline and clock.

Your body knows when and how to birth. Due dates, exams, checkups - these things don't determine or set in stone when your baby is coming and when birth will take place. Only your body determines that!

Your body is also made for labor. Your surges, contractions, waves, signals or whatever you chose to call them (language matters - I can't stand when the word pain is associated with labor) aren't some phenomena from another realm, they're completely natural. And naturally, your body knows how to get through them, without medical intervention!

Mama, your body is so majestic. Your body is so intuitive. Your body is so transformative. Your body is so admirable. Your body is so intelligent. And we don't give it enough credit for being all these things.

Did you know that some women give birth virtually pain-free? What if I told you that this could be your reality (or that you can have a reality very close to it)? 

Your mind sends signals for pain. Remember when you were little, and you would fall off a bike? Immediately, your skin would tear as blood gushed out of your elbow or knee. If you recall, for a brief second in time - you didn't feel pain. It wasn't until your mind registered the event of falling, the sight of the blood, and the awareness of the situation that you began to scream in pain! 

The key is to send reverse signals (yes - we have to trick our mind a bit!) Once you can get ahead of your mind and send it signals of euphoria and pain relief, you'll find that your birthing experience can be a beautiful, calming and relaxing space. 

Some ways that you can have a more pain-free experience include: 

- hypnobirthing

- sound therapy/binaural beats/frequencies

- raising your body's oxytocin by being surrounded by love and support

- changing birthing positions

- positive affirmations

- Accupressure

- breathing techniques

- holistic pain relief techniques (massage, essential oils, etc.)

- meditation

- incorporating water as much as possible (warm shower, soaking in a birthing tub or bathtub, staying hydrated, etc.)

- comfort methods (pillows, slow movements, touch, tapping, warm towels, heating pad, rice sock, etc.)

- laboring at home for as long as possible

- enlisting the help of a doula

These things can help you to stay ahead of your brain's pain signals and keep you grounded and content during your birthing experience.

Another thing that really helps is mood setting. In so many birthing settings, the mood is aggressive and hostile. Lights are blaring, machines are beeping loudly, heavy-handed nurses and students are probing, poking and touching in ways that cause discomfort. When we control our birthing environment, we're a lot more capable of having better birthing experiences. This is not just beneficial for you but for baby as well. Hospital-born babies also have to endure uncomfortable situations when they're birthed. The bright lights, their bodies being stretched and measured, the cold instruments like stethoscopes being placed on their bodies, the shockingly cold room temperatures in most hospitals - all these things are traumatic. Setting the mood in your hospital room will reduce the risk of trauma for both mama and baby! This is when a birth plan comes in handy!

The other key to a calm birth is preparation. Working with a doula can help you to get prepared for your birthing experience before it begins! We can help you to go over emotional and calming techniques, pelvic floor exercises, nutrition, movements and positions to support your birth, and other techniques to get you ready for the journey ahead.

Check out this positive birthing experience (and view her whole channel, she's amazing!)