While many describe childbirth as beautiful, fewer seasoned mothers would probably describe it as “comfortable.” Childbirth is called labor for good reason–it’s hard work! Even with an epidural or other significant pain lessening measures, birth takes significant physical, mental, and emotional energy. Furthermore, first time births typically take longer, averaging up to 24 hours versus 10 hours for subsequent births. If it’s your first baby, you need to be prepared for a long haul! Outside of simply asking for pain medication, here are 7 tips to help make your childbirth experience a little more comfortable.
Make A Birth Plan
People who work in birth-related fields or those who have had babies themselves sometimes joke, “make a birth plan… then throw that plan out the window.” Mother Nature has a tendency to take over during childbirth and guide things in unexpected directions (like having an emergency C-Section when you really wanted a medication-free vaginal birth). Regardless, making a plan at least gets you to think about a number of different outcomes and possibilities. It’s true that your childbirth wishes can often only really be requests and not demands, but at least you’ll head into the L&D room with a general idea of how you want your birth experience to go. For many, this can lessen anxiety around what is such a monumentous unknown scenario!
Take A Childbirth Class
Along the lines of making a birth plan, taking a childbirth class will ensure that you’re stepping into the hospital with a baseline education of what is about to happen. Again, your birth could take a number of different twists and turns, but at least you’re not walking into things totally blind. That said, educating yourself about childbirth is all about setting your mind at ease, making yourself mentally comfortable, and ensuring you’re in the right headspace to bring your baby into the world. If you’re more of a “ignorance is bliss” kind of person, then sure, tune it all out! But just know you may run into some big surprises on your big delivery day. It’s whatever method works best for you.
Carefully Assemble Your Support Team
In advance of your due date, check with your hospital about COVID-related birth partner and visitor restrictions, then carefully consider who you do and don’t want present in your delivery room. This is a time to be completely selfish: don’t worry about others’ hurt feelings. Your main concerns are your own comfort and your baby’s well-being. Does having your mother-in-law watch you crowning make you shudder? Then it’s okay to tell her she’ll have to wait to meet her grandchild! Having the people in the delivery room that you choose will make you most comfortable, which can lead to an overall easier childbirth.
Decorate Your Delivery Room
Ok, so you may not be able to go full HGTV in a hospital setting, but there are comforts of home that you can bring with you to make it a bit more amenable for delivery. Many moms-to-be create childbirth playlists of their favorite relaxing or empowering music. You can bring your own robe, PJs, pillows, and blankets. You probably can’t burn candles, but consider lowering the lights in your room and utilizing battery-operated twinkle lights. An added bonus is that lower light versus harsh hospital overheads has been shown to encourage relaxation and thus lead to more comfortable births.
Being in the most comfortable setting possible is why some women choose to birth at home or even specially tailored birthing centers instead of hospital rooms. Ask your healthcare provider if either of this options may be right for you.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
If you do opt to take a childbirth class, hopefully it’s one that at least covers breathing methods for birth. You can delve further into relaxation techniques by getting in to mediation and visualization, but breathing exercises are a great, easy place to start. Yes, there are “right” and “wrong” ways to breathe during childbirth. Think of birth as intense exercise (really, because it is). Short, shallow breaths are not going to get your body the oxygen it needs to successfully run a marathon. Deep breathing with your contractions, in through your nose and out through your mouth, can help mitigate stress, anxiety, and pain. If you want to explore more relaxation and breathing techniques in person, consider consulting with a birth doula.
Prioritize Your Health
When you’re pregnant, you’re probably solely focused on the new addition to your family that you’re about to meet, but don’t forget about your own health. Labor may last a matter of hours, but days and months of healthy habits–maintaining a proper diet and adequate exercise–can set you up for success. Again, if you think of childbirth like running a marathon, sitting on your couch for 9 months prior may make it a little harder to endure. Staying active while pregnant is certainly easier said than done (and it some cases, it may be physically impossible), but any bit of activity you can squeeze in can make your labor seem a little less laborious when the big day arrives.
Ask Your Doctor About Labor Guard
As you’re developing your birth plan, consider adding in Labor Guard. Talk to your doctor in advance of your due date to ensure that it can be made available for your delivery. Using Labor Guard can help decrease your risk of delivery-induced hemorrhoids, one of the most uncomfortable side effects of childbirth there is!
Unfortunately, there is no magic pill to completely erase all the discomforts of labor and delivery, but utilizing these 7 tips should make your childbirth a bit more comfortable. If you’re particularly worried about how things might go, remember that women have been doing this for thousands of years. And in the end, despite all the potential discomfort, meeting your little one will make every bit worth it!
