How to reduce the pain of uterine contractions

Uterine contractions before childbirth can cause great pain to women, which not only puts a certain amount of pressure on their bodies, but also seriously affects their health. Therefore, it is particularly important to learn scientific and effective relief methods. Expectant mothers can use methods such as music therapy, distraction, deep breathing with the expectant father, birthing ball exercises, and family massage to relieve pain.

1. Music therapy

Studies have long found that music can relieve a woman’s tension during childbirth and reduce the pain of contractions. By recording the delivery conditions of expectant mothers, it was found that those who listened to music had significantly reduced emotional tension and pain. The study also found that letting mothers listen to music and do music therapy can help them recover after childbirth and improve the relationship between mother and new baby.

Music therapy is more effective before childbirth. Advance training will help expectant mothers pick out their favorite, most familiar, and most pleasant music during labor, thereby achieving the best analgesic effect.

2. Do something else

Distract your attention: When contractions become more frequent, expectant mothers may wish to imagine the beautiful scene when the baby is born, or read a newspaper, watch TV, take a walk, chat, and try not to think about the word "pain".

Encouragement from the expectant father: When his wife begins to have contractions, the expectant father should remind her to do even abdominal breathing, and say some encouraging and comforting words at any time, so as not to let his wife feel isolated and helpless.

Supplementary food: During the intervals between contractions, expectant mothers should try to eat some easily digestible foods, such as milk, chocolate, eggs, noodle soup, etc., to maintain sufficient physical strength and energy.

3. Take a deep breath with the prospective father

It is normal for expectant mothers to have tense abdominal muscles during contractions. At this time, other parts of the body should be relaxed as much as possible. When the expectant mother is sitting or lying down, her body needs some support, such as a pillow or a backrest. The expectant father should make sure that his wife's elbows, legs, lower back and neck are supported and feel comfortable. He should also check whether all parts of his wife's body are completely relaxed.

If your wife is feeling nervous due to the pain, the expectant father can take deep breaths with her.

4. Birthing ball exercise

When the expectant mother is experiencing labor pains, she should not lie in bed all the time. She can get up and walk around, or try doing the birthing ball exercise, which is to sit on a fitness ball. As the ball swings back and forth, the support on the pelvic floor can help relieve pelvic floor pain.

Sitting: Spread your legs apart and step firmly. The expectant mother sits on the ball. Place a chair in front of the ball, hold the back of the chair with both hands, and move your hips left and right.

Prone position: Place a soft cushion on the ground, and the expectant mother kneels on the cushion, relaxes her arms, lies on the ball, and slowly rocks left to right.

There is no limit to the number of times you can do the birthing ball exercise. As long as the expectant mother feels comfortable, she can continue doing it.

5. Family massage for pain relief

The expectant father or family member can give the expectant mother a massage to relieve her tension and pain during labor.

Step 1: The expectant mother lies diagonally on the bed or mat, and the caregiver gently massages the lower back of the expectant mother.

Step 2: Place a few soft cushions on the bed or floor, and the expectant mother kneels on the cushions. Family members can stand on the side of the bed and constantly caress the back of the mother with both hands to relieve the back pain caused by labor.

Step 3: Find a comfortable and soft chair or sofa, and the expectant mother sits facing inward with her chest and abdomen resting on the back of the chair or sofa with soft cushions, and her head resting on it in a relaxed manner: the caregiver constantly presses the mother's waist with his hands.