How to relieve pain during contractions. Methods of pain relief of contractions during childbirth. Comfortable contraction positions

Every woman looks forward to the birth of her baby with great impatience, and the closer this day is, the more anxiety and fear of pain appear. In principle, childbirth is the most natural process that is laid down by nature. The body itself knows what needs to be done in this case, and the woman can only be patient in order to overcome the fear of a previously unknown process.

Most of all, women are afraid of contractions, because everyone knows the legends about piercing pains, from which women even lose consciousness. But most often, women lose consciousness not from the pains themselves, but from the fear that they experience. By the way, against the background of fear, the pain increases tenfold, because the tension intensifies, but women need to remember that panic in this case is not their helper. The best thing to do in such a situation is to just relax and then the pain will go away.

Can contractions be anesthetized?

Contractions are called contraction of the muscles of the uterine walls, as a result of which the cervix opens - and the child moves through the birth canal.

Prenatal contractions occur approximately every half an hour and last no more than 20 seconds. Then the interval is reduced, and the duration of contractions increases. During contractions, it is better to try to take the optimal position in which pain is felt the least. Such a position is sure to exist, and if you do not panic, then you can find it.

It is better if at this time there will be a beloved man nearby who can calm the woman in labor with his touches and strokes. You can even massage your lower back, neck, or back. In extreme cases, a man can simply hold the hand of his beloved, supporting her in this way. In addition, several simple tricks are offered that will help to anesthetize contractions during childbirth.

Pain relief massage for contractions

1. You can independently massage the protrusions of the ilium both on the left and on the right.
2. During active contractions, you can stroke the tummy with your fingertips. It is important to watch your breath here.
3. The hands are clenched into fists and the lumbosacral region is pressed with them.

These simple actions will help reduce pain during contractions. It is important to control your breathing. It should be deep and rhythmic. Between contractions, you need to relax as much as possible and rest in order to gather strength.

No less important for a woman in labor and mood. If she panics, worries, is afraid and rushes about, then this will most likely harm her. It is better to change your position and enjoy the next fight, because it brings the moment when the baby will appear. That is why it is necessary to meet each new fight with joy.

Between contractions, it is better to imagine something pleasant and calming, while thinking through that everything is in accordance with nature. You can listen to your favorite music, classical is better, it relaxes well.

Pain during childbirth can vary greatly in strength. Even in a single woman who has given birth several times, contractions can be from barely noticeable to barely tolerable. Therefore, very different methods of anesthesia for childbirth are used. What - we will tell.

What determines the pain of childbirth

No obstetrician can accurately predict how painful contractions will be. The conventional wisdom that pain becomes weaker with each new pregnancy is true, but not always. It depends on many factors:

• individual characteristics of a woman in labor: her pain threshold, character traits, the quality of psychological preparation for the process of giving birth to a baby, the state of the muscles of the pelvic floor and soft tissues of the perineum;
• the size and position of the fetus in the uterus;
• the state of the cervix, the presence of dense cicatricial deformities in it;
• activity of labor activity and the regularity of contractions.

But there is situations in which pain during childbirth occurs much more often. Here they are:

• hormonal dysfunction before pregnancy, manifested by irregular painful menstruation;
• the first birth or the interval between subsequent births is more than 5 years;
• and induced labor when the cervix is ​​not yet softened;
• strong contractions under the influence of oxytocin (intravenously or in a lozenge) and vice versa - long-term labor;
• a large fetus or a mother's pelvis that is narrow for the size of the child (anatomically or clinically narrow pelvis);
• after the discharge of amniotic fluid.

In all these cases, the woman in labor herself or the doctors can significantly reduce the pain so that the memories of childbirth do not become the worst nightmare in a woman's life.

Psychological pain relief

Nature made sure that the birth process took place under the influence of "hormones of joy" - endorphins, the level of which rises rapidly with each new contraction. These substances reduce all uncomfortable manifestations, relieve tension and help to feel emotional uplift. A simple feeling of fear suppresses the formation of a natural hormone and thereby increases sensitivity to pain.

A very important moment in childbirth is the mood of a woman. Many pregnant women associate the word "delivery" with the words "in pain." Constant negative thoughts and "winding" yourself will lead to even more fear. Proper psychological preparation for childbirth is a guarantee that the birth of a child will take place in a more comfortable environment.

The most important thing is to be in a positive mood.. You need to change your attitude towards pain. Think about the fact that the increase in pain is not a test that cannot be avoided, but a "bell" that advises you to change your body position, relax your muscles, breathe properly. And the most important thought should be that you are waiting for the birth of a little person. Take your mind off negative thoughts.

In Africa and Brazil in ancient times, when a woman went into labor, the man would go to bed, scream and complain. It was believed that this removed part of the psychological burden and distracted the woman in labor. If you think that this will help, ask your spouse to lament instead of you - this will be the “coolest” whim, which you will remember with laughter for a long time to come. So childbirth is fun!

Remember, all the emotions you experience are passed on to your child. Let him be born without fear.

Poses for pain relief

A position that alleviates discomfort, a woman must choose herself. A certain position during childbirth will relieve pain, help you relax.

If your doctor has given you permission to get up and move around, try different body positions - sitting, lying down, standing. During a contraction, the following postures can reduce pain:

• Lean on the wall, back of a chair or bed with weight transfer to your hands.
• Pose on all fours.
• Sitting on a fitball or a children's inflatable circle.
• Squat down with your knees out to the sides.
• Lie on your side and bend your knees.

Massage during childbirth

Massage movements during childbirth can be performed by the woman in labor herself or by the husband in the case of partner childbirth. Options:

1. Massage the sacral area with the fingertips, fist or palm with an intensity that will bring relief to the woman.
2. "Iron" - massage of the inner surface of the thigh. Strongly pressing the palm to the thigh, movements from the knee to the groin and back, as if ironing yourself.
3. A distracting maneuver can be massaging or strong pressure on the iliac spines during a fight.

The massage technique and its intensity, which will help reduce discomfort, is individual for each pregnant woman. Don't be afraid to try it yourself or ask your birth partner to massage these areas. You can use neutral massage oil.

Breathing techniques to reduce pain

All breathing exercises that are used during childbirth are aimed at relaxing the muscles of the body.

The first breathing technique during childbirth involves rare breathing (up to 8 per minute). The respiratory rate is normally about 16 breaths per minute, while the pregnant woman makes short breaths and long exhalations through almost closed lips with this method during a contraction.

The second method consists of several short exhalations. Imagine that you have a feather in front of you that you want to blow away. After a short breath, take a few short exhalations, as if blowing off a feather.

Count the inhales and exhales that you do: this will help you get distracted and not concentrate on the wedding. Read more about proper breathing during childbirth.

Childbirth and water

Warm water relaxes muscles and relieves pain. If possible, during the first stage of labor, you can take a bath or warm shower.

This method is only appropriate if there is a bath in the delivery room. It is not recommended to stay in the shower at home for a long time if you have already started contractions, and even more so practice at home. Such experiments without medical supervision can lead to disastrous results.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used to reduce labor pain levels, but the method is not common. There are not many experts in this area.

Medicinal methods

Medical anesthesia is used in the following cases:

• Restless behavior of a woman due to severe pain during contractions.
• premature birth.
• Excessively strong generic activity.
• Gestosis of the second half of pregnancy.
• Somatic diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus).
• obstetric operations.

This method has contraindications:

1. The presence of a scar on the uterus from operations that were performed earlier. This is due to the existing threat of uterine rupture: with the introduction of analgesics, the doctor will not be able to recognize the onset of the development of this formidable complication.
2. Onset of labor or opening of the uterine os up to 4 cm: due to the risk of stopping labor or causing weak contractions.
3. Allergy to drugs, especially those used to relieve pain.

Several groups of drugs are used to anaesthetize childbirth:

• Antispasmodics (drotaverine, papaverine, baralgin).
• Tranquilizers (diazepam, seduxen).
• Narcotic analgesics (promedol).
• Inhalation anesthesia (nitrogen-oxygen mixture).
• local anesthetics.

Antispasmodics are medications that relieve the tone of all smooth muscles. These substances, in addition to reducing the level of pain, regulate the process of opening the cervix.

tranquilizers rarely used in obstetrics. During childbirth, they are used once, since there is a proven negative effect on the unborn child.

Promedol is a narcotic analgesic for labor pain relief, which is widely used in obstetrics. It relieves pain and muscle tension of the cervix. But there is evidence that this drug depresses the baby's breathing at birth.

The inhalation method of pain relief consists in inhaling a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide by the expectant mother. In some cases, even a simple oxygen mask brings relief.

Epidural anesthesia

It is the "gold standard" among the methods of labor pain relief. Providing good anesthesia leads to a negative point - the birth is a little delayed, and the woman cannot fully push in the second period, because she does not feel the onset of the contraction. This method also has its own, which you can discuss with your doctor even before the start of labor.

Remember, you are on the threshold of the birth of a new life. Therefore, do not wait for pain, wait for your child!

Women deal with pain differently. For some, special breathing techniques are enough to successfully overcome pain during childbirth; others are advised to take pain relief.

The choice of medicines that help overcome pain during childbirth is great. We recommend that you explore your options in order to make the right choice later: discuss all options with your obstetrician well before the day of birth so that you have all the necessary information at the right time.

It should also be remembered that in each individual case, the choice of an anesthetic depends on certain conditions and characteristics of childbirth and the state of health of the woman. The doctor will assess your condition, comfort and health during childbirth and help you decide on the method of pain relief.

You should not feel guilty about asking your doctor for pain relief. Only you know your feelings best, so only you are in a position to make decisions regarding pain relief during childbirth. Moreover, you should not worry about the safety of the pain medication. All drugs used for pain relief during childbirth are safe - both for you and for the baby.

Drugs for pain relief during labor and childbirth

There are three ways of pain relief during labor and childbirth:

Local anesthesia is used during childbirth in order to numb a specific area or after childbirth if stitches are needed.

Regional anesthesia (epidural, spinal) is used by an anesthesiologist (a doctor who administers pain medication) during childbirth in order to reduce discomfort. In both epidural and spinal anaesthesia, pain medication is injected into the lower back, near the nerves, blocking pain in a large area of ​​the body while keeping you awake. Regional anesthesia significantly reduces discomfort and pain during childbirth. It is also used when a caesarean section is needed.

General anesthesia means insensitivity to pain with complete loss of consciousness. General anesthesia is safe, but rarely used, only in emergencies, because it prevents the mother from seeing the baby immediately after birth.

In addition, pain medications may be injected into a vein or muscle to dull the pain. In this case, the pain is not completely blocked, however, you will feel much less pain. This method is mainly used at the beginning of childbirth, so that you rest and gain strength before childbirth, since the drugs cause an effect on the entire body and can make you and the baby sleepy.

What is the difference between epidural and spinal anesthesia?

Spinal anesthesia involves the introduction of the drug into the middle of the dura mater, which is located next to the spine. With epidural anesthesia, the drug is injected into the spinal column, outside the bag surrounding the spinal cord.

Spinal anesthesia requires less drug than epidural; moreover, spinal anesthesia works faster, however, it is more likely to cause headaches and low blood pressure.

How is regional anesthesia performed?

If you ask for regional anesthesia, you may be given an epidural, spinal, or a combination of these types of anesthesia. Your doctor will choose the type of regional anesthesia based on your general health and how your labor is progressing.

After the anesthetist has reviewed your medical history, they will numb a small area in your lower back with a local anesthetic. The anesthetist will then insert a special needle into the numb area to find the right position and inject the pain medication. After the drug is injected, the anesthetist will withdraw the needle. In most cases, the doctor will leave an epidural catheter, a small plastic tube, at the needle insertion site to administer drugs during labor if needed.

During the procedure, the woman can sit or lie on her side.

At what point during contractions is regional anesthesia performed?

Choosing the optimal time for regional anesthesia depends on the course of labor, your condition and the condition of the child. Your OB/GYN will decide the best time to administer the anesthesia.

Will anesthesia affect the baby?

Numerous studies have shown that regional anesthesia, both epidural and spinal, is safe for mother and child.

How quickly will the anesthesia work and how long will it last?

Epidural anesthesia begins to act 10-20 minutes after administration. The analgesic effect lasts as long as you need it, since the drug can be administered through the catheter at any time.

Spinal anesthesia works immediately after injection. The analgesic effect lasts about 2.5 hours. If labor is expected to last longer than this time, you will have an epidural catheter inserted to continue the drug.

Will you feel anything after the injection of the anesthetic?

Although you will feel significant relief from the anesthesia, you may still feel pressure from your contractions. You may also feel pressure when you see a doctor.

Will it be necessary to stay in bed after regional anaesthesia?

Not necessary. The anesthetist can perform anesthesia so that you can sit in a chair or walk. Sitting and walking can contribute to the development of labor. If you want to know more about this, ask your doctor about walking with an epidural. However, it should be remembered that this option of anesthesia is not possible in all cases.

Will regional anesthesia slow down labor?

For some women, contractions and labor slow down a bit after regional anesthesia—not for long. Most women, however, note that regional anesthesia helps them relax, improves contractions, and allows them to rest.

A good atmosphere and positive emotions have a positive effect on the condition of a pregnant woman and on delivery.

Experts do not advise lying down during contractions, unhurried walking helps not only relieve pain, but also speed up labor. The vertical position of a woman before the most crucial moment also favorably affects the child himself, for whom the birth is a rather difficult test. When tilting, swaying, walking, the child takes a comfortable position and stimulates.

In order to relieve pain, doctors advise jumping on a fitball or hanging on a Swedish wall.

For some women, taking a cool shower helps relieve the pain. It allows you to distract from the upcoming birth. But prolonged contact with water, for example, immersion in a pool or bath, leads to weakening of contractions, as a result of which the cervix ceases to open, and labor is delayed.

For the correct course of the prenatal period, it is necessary to concentrate on breathing. Deep inhalations and exhalations help to maintain the strength that will be required during attempts, and also allow you to enrich the child's body with oxygen. The hysterical state and screams exhaust the woman, as a result of which she is not able to quickly give birth to a baby.

Massage during contractions

If common methods of easing contractions do not help, specialists solve the problem using medication methods. Anesthesia is essential for a painless birth. But such interference in the natural process negatively affects the child and the expectant mother.

Fear of pain during childbirth is rooted in the soul of a woman from the very beginning, and even after giving birth once, she can continue to be afraid. Why it occurs is understandable, everyone says that there is nothing more painful than childbirth. Someone compares labor pain with fractures of 20 bones at once, someone says that it was the biggest pain in his life.

If you are expecting a baby, you, of course, do your best to set yourself up for positive. Thanks to the availability of information comes the understanding that this is a natural process that should not cause much pain. By the end of the term, you calm down and the desire to end the pregnancy becomes stronger than these fears. But the question of whether childbirth is facilitated still remains. Even the most self-confident person should have hope that if it suddenly hurts too much, they will help him.

Do they give painkillers during childbirth?

Of course, it is possible to make childbirth easy and painless, and analgesics during childbirth in one form or another are now used in almost 90% of women in labor. You can do it in such a way that a woman will simply oversleep them, and she will have to be woken up at the most crucial moment.

Pain medication during childbirth has even become a source of additional income for maternity hospitals; almost everywhere you can get this service for a fee (we are talking about epidural anesthesia). In the antenatal clinic, you can be given a list of things necessary for the maternity hospital, so far it may also contain medications designed to weaken contractions.

You now have plenty of chances to think over childbirth, although from the point of view of what is best for mother and child during physiological childbirth, a birth without drugs is, of course, preferable.

How to anesthetize childbirth

There are several options to make childbirth painless. They differ in efficiency and safety. Another question is whether it is necessary. Sometimes loss of pain sensitivity is vital. For example, if the contractions are strong, frequent, but ineffective, and the cervix does not open.

The following methods are used for this process:

• Physiological. This is a relaxing massage of the lower back, calm music, special breathing techniques and exercises, bath and shower.
• Spinal and - a special injection during childbirth in the spine with the introduction of drugs to the spinal cord. The most reliable and modern method. Such an injection during childbirth begins to act literally after 5 minutes, completely relieving pain.
• Other drugs are also used during childbirth, which are administered intramuscularly, intravenously and in other ways. These are mainly antispasmodics, narcotic analgesics and drugs that affect the central nervous system. Even nitrous oxide (an anesthetic) is used, which a woman breathes through a mask, independently adjusting the degree of anesthesia.
• Acupuncture and other physiotherapeutic methods of influence. Not applicable in all hospitals.

It also happens: at the end of the second stage of labor for about 40 minutes - 1 hour there are very intense, frequent contractions, leading to full disclosure of the cervix. The fatigue that has accumulated over the past hours makes itself felt, there is a strong feeling of pressure on the bottom, the baby presses his head on the cervix and sacral plexus, the head is pressed tightly against the entrance to the small pelvis and there is very little left before the baby is born.

A woman who says a firm "no" to any medical intervention may simply break down at this time. It is at such moments that a woman in labor most often screams - do me a caesarean, do at least something, stop it! But right now it's too late to do anything. If a woman in labor is given a medicine that really relieves pain, the baby may have complications after birth, for example, respiratory depression.

And then the necessary injection is given as a placebo. For example, a no-shpa is introduced, which does not have any effect on the uterus at all. This injection is done only to calm the mother, while she will wait for his action - she will have time to give birth.

How to relieve pain during childbirth on your own

The severity of pain during childbirth largely depends on how the woman in labor perceives the birth act. If you resist contractions, tighten up, then your body quickly gets tired and you begin to feel pain. It often happens that a woman initially expects pain during childbirth and thereby provokes its appearance. It's a vicious circle - the more you resist the contractions, the more the pain, the more the pain, the more you tighten up. The uterus is working hard, but the cervix cannot open - you do not let her do it with your fear.

The pain syndrome increases due to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles of the uterus and its resistance to itself: some muscles work to open, while others spasm and do not allow to open. Due to the fact that at present, almost all expectant mothers have the opportunity to attend childbirth preparation courses, and you have the opportunity to learn in advance how to anesthetize childbirth on your own.

In the courses you will learn everything about special breathing and relaxation techniques in childbirth, about exercises that help, you will tune in to the fact that giving birth is not painful, and should not be painful. It’s good if you have a partner with you during childbirth, not necessarily a husband. Even your mother, aunt or friend can act as an assistant during childbirth. She needs to go to these courses with you. Here they will teach you how to do a relaxing massage during childbirth, how to breathe with the woman in labor, how to support and guide her at the right moment.

Yes, childbirth cannot be completely painless. Unpleasant sensations, of course, will be. Partly on how much it will be unpleasant and painful for you, you can influence yourself. And remember that if you suddenly can’t cope - there are alternative ways to relieve pain, analgesics are used during childbirth, if you need it, they will help you.