Natural relaxation / pain relief for labour?

[PregnantGrrrl]

I'm hoping to just have a pop at gas and air if i need it this time round, and planning on a home birth.

Can anyone recommend methods/ items / products that are good for relaxation / calming/ pain relief?

Me too PG. I'm going to be just relying on G&A and the water from the birthing pool.

have you looked at hypnobirthing? i did the course and it is great!

The things that work to relax you in RL/non-pregnant life are pretty good for relaxing you in labour.

i wish i'd been more confident 1st time round- they told me to start using gas and air immediately, and i've found since that using it too early on in labour makes it less effective when you really need it later on. And i was pressed to leave the house and go to the birthing unit to have pethadine, when i'd only said in my plan that i MIGHT want it available.

This time i'm not taking any nonsense! But i would like to look at aromatherapy etc for ideas on keeping calm and relaxed when things kick off.

Marslady- does gin count?!

I had a birth in a midwife led unit and a home birth and am currently looking forward to another home birth. In labour one I didn'thave any pain relief, inc no gas and air and in labour 2 I got int he bath which helped contractions but again no gas and air.

Both times I always felt in control, relaxed, not worried or panicked.

Birth 1 I kept thinking 'it's gonna get a lot worse than this' but it never did.

Birth 2 i knew I'd done it before so could do it again.

I knew it would hurt but that I could cope,.

I kept a 'soft mouth' and didn't grit my teeth and tense upa nd just let my body get on with the job it's designed to do and trusted it.

I had rescue remedy and arnica tablets on hand if needed. Water was great. Positive mental attitude and a calm feeling were the best tools i had.

Good luck, and enjoy

Yes!