Relaxing in Labor - It Really Can Happen with a Relaxation Script

I knew as soon as we found out that I was pregnant that we would take the birthing classes. Not only is it part of the experience and a rite of passage, but you can learn some great information there. I will say that some of the advice or insight may have gone in one ear and out the other. However when it came to relaxation techniques, I found them to be quite helpful. I ended up having a rather unconventional labor which ultimately ended up as a C-section but the relaxation ideas that I learned were actually quite helpful along the way. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your labor:

*Go to your happy place. You will hear this time and time again, but when the contractions get intense or things aren't going your way, go to your happy place in your mind. Mine was a beach in Barbados and it worked wonders!

*Remember to breath. Even if you can't remember exactly the breathing that you learned in birthing class, deep breathing can help you weather the tougher moments of labor.

*Rely on music to give you something to focus on. Music can be quite powerful and if you pick a great playlist ahead of time that you bring with you in your suitcase, you can pop that in and focus on the melodies rather than the labor itself.

*Use the power of aroma. I never believed how wonderful aromatherapy could really be, and then I found that the smell of vanilla was very calming to me when I was pregnant. I used this and brought a couple of vanilla scented items (lotions for example) that I could smell to relax me.

*Be sure that your coach/spouse knows how to relax you. If having your coach yell out various breathing techniques isn't going to help, be sure that they know what will work for you. They will be by your side and having them understand what relaxes you is key to your success.

*Try to walk around if you can. This may not sound like it's relaxing, but when you have the option to be on your feet and moving around a little it can calm some of your frayed nerves.

*Remember it's mind over matter. This is so cliche but so true and if you can put some of the pain or anxiety out of your mind even temporarily then it will work wonders for your labor experience.

*Visualize what this is all for. I kept telling myself that I was not going into the hospital for a bad procedure, I was coming out with a baby. If you can remember that on the other side of the labor will be your beautiful baby it will help you to cope.

*Try taking a bath if you are in a place in your labor to do so. I remember thinking that this was crazy, but I have had some friends who took a bath during their labor and it helped their muscles to relax which in turn calmed them down dramatically.

*Work through the pain and remember it's only temporary. Anytime during labor where it felt unbearable I remembered that this was only a temporary situation and that this would pass.

*Remember that millions of women have given birth and you are one of those. There are women with high and low pain thresholds and you will perservere as others before you have for centuries.

*When all else fails picture your baby's face. You will get past the pain and it will all be worth it--it's true when they say that you forget the pain and discomfort once you meet your new bundle of joy.

Labor is only temporary but the love you will feel for your child is forever! Good luck and remember that the bad parts will pass and the good parts are just coming!