Page 32 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)
P. 32
HeRe He comeS!
the first and, for first-time mums, it typically lasts ● Relaxinwater ‘Being in water is really
around two hours, up until your baby is born. Had soothing when you’re in labour,’ says Tracey.
There’s a final, third stage of labour, when enough? ‘Research shows that the pleasure sensation
contractions push out the placenta, the organ it creates is stronger than the pain sensation
that has been nourishing your baby during trykneeling from the contractions. It doesn’t take the pain
pregnancy. You can have an injection to bring withyourlegs away, but most women visibly relax as they
on a strong contraction to push it out, or let asfarapart get into the water.’ It’s important that you
your body do the job unaided. Once the asyoucan don’t overheat your baby though, so keep the
placenta has been delivered, you’ll continue tolerate,and water just warm, and top it up as it cools.
to have mild contractions. leanyourupper Relax in the bath, or if you think being in
‘These contractions shrink your uterus back bodyforwards, water will really help you, consider getting
down to the size it was before your pregnancy,’ usingpillowsor a birthing pool, even if you’re not planning
yourpartnerfor
says Tracey. ‘If you’re a first-time mum, this a home birth and you simply use it for early
support.this
usually takes between 24 and 48 hours. These labour. Try the Birth Pool in a Box Eco Pool
positionwill
contractions are much less intense and, if openupyour
you find them uncomfortable, paracetamol pelvisbya
is enough to manage the pain.’ massive26per
cent.Itdoesn’t
How to manage easethe
● and breathe ‘During a contraction, you need contractions,
to breathe slowly and deeply,’ says Tracey. butitshould
‘Concentrate on your breath, rather than on makeyour
your contraction, as you inhale. Then exhale labourfaster.
slowly and calmly. This deep breathing helps
to keep your muscles oxygenated including
that all-important uterine muscle which
energises them. It also keeps your placenta
oxygenated, which is good for your baby.’ How to time
● walkaround We’re not suggesting you head your contractions
off on a hike, but the gentle rhythm of a potter when your contractions begin, they’ll be
around the house or garden can distract you short and widely spaced. as your labour
from the pain. It also keeps you upright, letting progresses, they’ll get longer, stronger and more
gravity help the birthing process along. frequent. timing your contractions will help you see
● applyawarmcompress Gentle heat on your how your labour is progressing (and it really helps to
back can ease muscle tension, but it’s important know that you’re making progress!). Your midwife will
that it’s warm, and not hot, as you don’t want to also want to know these timings, as they will help her to
overheat your baby. ‘Ask your midwife to show gauge when she should attend if you’re having a home
you the correct temperature,’ suggests Tracey. birth, or when you need to make your way to hospital.
● Usehypnobirthing‘Hypnobirthing teaches First, measure the length of your contractions by
you how to relax, and that can make a real timing it from the second it starts to the moment
difference to how you feel during labour,’ says it finishes. then measure how far apart they
Tracey. The easiest way to learn the techniques are by making a note of the time, from the
is to listen to a hypnobirthing recording every beginning of one contraction to the
night from as early on in your pregnancy as beginning of the next
possible. And when you listen to it during contraction.
labour, your body will automatically relax.
Try Colour and Calmness, Hypnobirthing Relaxation
for Birth by Katharine Graves (£9.97,
kghypnobirthing.com).
● Sit on a birth ball This puts you into a position
that you may find comfortable during the first
stage of labour. And if you gently move your
hips in a circular motion, this can help gravity
get your baby’s head down onto your cervix.
Another position to try is to kneel down and lean
your upper body over the ball. This is a great way
to rest between contractions during the second
stage of labour. It’s important to get a size that
suits your height: the Birth-Ease Birthing Ball
(from £18.99, birthease.co.uk) comes in two
sizes, with a pump so you can adjust the firmness
to a level that’s comfortable for you.
30 | Mar ch 2020 | mothe ra ndbaby.co.uk
