Mumsnet Talk

hi, am a first time mum and am due march 18. am going for vaginal birth, i need clue on how to manage labour pain.

Hi, I had DC1 in May and I found the natal hypnotherapy CDs very useful

www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/pregnancyandbirthhypnosicds.html

I had an induced birth and it worked really well until a couple of hours before DD arrived so I also had some drugs too! Though, tbh, I think part of the reason I needed medical help was that I was moved to a brightly lit room and suddenly lots of midwives and drs appeared so I lost my relaxation somewhat.

I know it doesn't help actually reduce the pain but I found when I was just left to get on with it in a quiet, gently lit room, it was all much more manageable.

Congratulations and I am sure all will go smoothly

I forgot to ask, are you having your little person at home or in hospital / birthing centre?

@ginshizz, in a hospital

The good thing about that is that the midwives will be able to suggest lots of things like trying different positions / movements / birthing pool / birthing ball etc to help. I found I couldn't really tell what was going to work for me until I was actually in labour.

Do you feel comfortable with the idea of pain meds or do you want to avoid them if possible? I am sure you have done this already but it's worth putting all of that in a birth plan and discussing it with the midwives when you go in so they know what you want.