How to have an easier labour

No one can guarantee that if you do X, Y, Z you will have an easy labour. But there is no doubt that your preparations beforehand and your actions during labour can make a big difference. If you pay attention to all the factors that are under your control, you will stack the odds in your favour. At best you will ease labour for you and, just as importantly, make birth easier for the baby.

• Familiarise yourself with the hospital and the information and have someone familiar to you - your birth partner - staying with you in labour.
• Pay attention to relaxation and breathing techniques and use them in labour.
• Be flexible about your choice of pain relief.
• Use upright positions whenever possible.

One of the main concerns that women and their partners have when preparing for labour is not only what pain relief may be available, but also how do they decide which to have? Many women feel that they cannot make a decision before they are in labour and they see how things are going. But by gathering all the available information, you can at least decide on your preferences.

It can be really useful to have someone you know well staying with you during labour. It could be your partner, mother, sister or maybe just a good friend. It's good to have someone who is familiar company, who can help you with your positioning, encourage you, coach you through the breathing and generally offer moral support. Helping a woman in labour can be just as stressful as being in labour yourself. The experience will be more possitive if your birth partner is well prepared.

Help! I'm having a Baby has a whole section dedicated to pain relief during labour...

• What options are available?
• Breathing, positioning & other self-help techniques
• Facts about epidurals
• Why do some women feel more pain than others?

Also... Help! I'm having a Baby - The Book has even more vital information for you to help yourself to have an easier labour.

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