Pain Management
One of the biggest concerns for many pregnant mums is how they will manage the pain during labour. There are many different options open to you. Your doula will provide you with evidence based research concerning the risks and benefits, both to you and the baby, of each pain relief method that is available, and will support your decisions about what will work best for you.
Your body has an incredible repertoire of natural opioids that are highly effective pain relief, especially during the early stages of labour. You can do much to maximize the efficiency of these, even before you get onto the pain relief available from outside sources!
In the event that you choose to have some extra help for pain, there are a number of different options open to you, from natural TENS machines, through to gas, pethidine or epidural blocks.
Your doula will ensure that staff are informed in plenty of time when you begin to need extra help, and will help you and your partner stay focused on the labour instead of getting “lost” in panic about pain.
It is very important to remember that labour pain is healthy, natural pain, much like an elite athlete experiences, rather than a “sick” pain, like migraine etc. Just like that elite athlete, you aren’t expected to run this race on your own. Your baby and your body are amazing and know exactly what to do. You will also have supportive and skilled hands helping you prepare, planning, coaching, guiding and cheering you every step of the way.
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