Alternative Pain Relief Options During Labor

Labor massage helps, especially when—during a contraction—a massage therapist or doula spreads the sacrum open to make the contraction bearable. When I do labor massage, I use my thumbs to spread the sacroiliac joints laterally in the lower back lumbar region. This is possible because the hormone relaxin makes the joints looser during the pregnancy; thus, the sacrum joint is relaxed and spreads to make room for the baby. This is one reason why you don't want to stretch out too much toward your due date while doing exercises or yoga.

In my experience, the best time to get a massage is during active labor (from about 4 centimeters to 7 centimeters), when things start to get hairy.

Labor is a new feeling. It is less scary when you have someone there with you to rub on you and help you relax. Fear creates pain. The massage therapist or doula can help change the atmosphere of the room and the energy of the labor.

I also help a laboring mother deal with pain perception by breathing deeply with her and reminding her to breathe during contractions. Breathing exercises can help and are part of hypnobirthing, the Lamaze method and the Bradley method.

Look for a class to learn about these methods, or read more about natural childbirth preparation at calmbirth.com.