Forget the numbers
“3 cm dilated and 50% effaced at 11:27 a.m. I have been here for four hours and a half. I rate my pain as 6 out of 10.” Try not to do that! These numbers only stress you out. Giving birth can’t be measured. Counting and measuring is useless. Trust yourself; trust your baby who is taking the most amazing trip ever! Leave your watch at home!
Focus on your baby
For your baby, it is the trip of his life. For you too but between you two, he is the one who will go through it most intensely. He will travel from a dark world, comfortable and warm to a bright and cold environment where he will feel a bit lost. Pay attention to his actions. Feel his movements. Keep in contact with him so you can work together until he will be born.
Try acupuncture
Did you know that some hospitals offer obstetrical acupuncture to their patients who are giving birth? Innovative!
A British study demonstrated that acupuncture is effective to relieve labour pain.
Move
Lying on your back puts more pressure on your kidneys and since no one will stop you from moving, get up and enjoy! Some roam the corridors and stop to look at the nursery with all the tenderness of a mom-to-be. Others prefer to use an exercise ball when they have contractions. Finally some just diversify their positions during labour. The slogan remains the same: move!
