Complementary/Alternative pain relief

[Clarinet60]

....during labour. It's for a friend, you understand. I told her the best pain relief I knew was an elective c/section, but that's just me.

Does anyone have any good links? I'm thinking about homoeopathy, aromatherapy, etc.

Thanks.

I am a therapist who helps at births so I may be able to offer specific advice / answer questions. No links though, sorry

Thanks Windmill. She had an epidural with her last birth (13 yrs ago), but it didn't work. She's due in August. I think she wants to know if there are any homoeopathic remedies she can take to lessen the pain and relax her. She is also considering aromatherapy, and wonders which oils are safe in pregnancy. I did a course years ago (aromatherapy, when I was pregnant with ds1) but I've forgotten lots of it and need updating.
What do you use? Are you a hands on therapist?

I have a frined sho used visualisation techniques as sole pain relief for labour, gave birth at 5am then cooked the whole family Christmas lunch...
I am thinking about using acupuncture for this birth and need to check it is OK with hospital at next visit but am however realistic as had emergency c/s and epidural last time. Have however heard good things about acupuncture

I've heard good things about it too, sibble.

I bet your friend had a collapse waiting for her somewhere down the line, admitted or not.

Breathing, breathing, breathing. I have used Yoga/Active Birth taught breathing both times and almost managed to self-hypnotise at times. That plus using a birth pool which helped me enormously, seemed to lessen the pain by about 30-50%. In terms of homeopathy, there are different remedies to suit different stages, you can get a childbirth kit from Helios but it's also worth having a consultation with a homeopath to give yourself a good understanding of all of the remedies which are likely to help each individual.

Breathing, breathing, breathing. I have used Yoga/Active Birth taught breathing both times and almost managed to self-hypnotise at times. That plus using a birth pool which helped me enormously, seemed to lessen the pain by about 30-50%. In terms of homeopathy, there are different remedies to suit different stages, you can get a childbirth kit from Helios but it's also worth having a consultation with a homeopath to give yourself a good understanding of all of the remedies which are likely to help each individual.

oops sorry

I used a TENS machine, which I kept complaining was doing nothing - until I took it off!

Water was fantastic.

If she is fit and exercising regularly then doing a 30 burst of intensive work (like kicking your feet really hard whilst swimming) and then a slower 30 seconds repeated a few times is good prep for contractions. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. I visulised doing this during labour and it was really useful because I remembered to breathe.

Hi- Homoeophatic remedies & aromatherapy did nothing for me personally. We invested in loads at vast expense, but during labour, the best pain-relief I found was being in water, gas & air and having company.

Yes, I am a hands on therapist but also use homeopathy and herbal remedies.

Sorry, but is very difficult to advise you on use of aromatherapy in preganancy as there is lots of conflicting advice and no two aromatherapists or aromatherapy books will agree on what oils are safe at different stages of preganncy although the latest advice given on courses is to avoid essential oils altogether in the first trimester.

Even gentle oils like lavender and chamomile are contra-indicated as they can bring ona period. However, lavender, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, rose, neroli, jasmine and ylang ylang are popular choices in labour.

Arnica homeopathic remedy is a useful remedy, before and after the birth. Aconite and Rescue Remedy are good for shock, caulophyllum strengthens contractions, and chamomilla is very good for severe pain.

Thanks for these, all of you. I've got somewhere to start now.