relaxation techniques in labour

[CurleyShirley]

Hi all - I am keen to learn some relaxation and visualisation techniques for labour. Does anyone have any suggestions of any books or where I could read up/learn some?
Thanks!

there is hypnobirthing , mongan method,,google it or search the archives here...also Sheila Kitzinger has written lots about this, so get some of her books from the library.....

i did visualisation before the birth, it all went out of the window when i was actually in labour

Check with your local NCT as I did a relaxation/breathing in labour course with them which was brilliant.

Also ante natal yoga normally covers this (it did in the one I did) so enquire about a local group via NCT or sports centres etc.

i am no expert and only have one child, but my hv taught us 'hollow feet' breathing. i found it of great use during labour (well, the contractions anyway)

she told us that when counting during labour you tend to count too fast. It was for the use of gas and air during contractions. She advised that we should imagine sucking in through our feet and visualising the air travelling up through our body reaching certain body parts etc.

i found it really useful! meant i was able to breathe in the gas and air at the right pace iyswim.

hth

Thanks ladies!