The more you can relax and loosen your muscles, the easier natural childbirth becomes. Let’s take a look at recommendations that will help the mother feel comfortable and thus facilitate an easy birth.

1. Educate Yourself

Knowing what to expect during childbirth is essential. Couples should familiarise themselves with the birth environment and learn about the situations they may encounter. The first step could be attending a childbirth class with your partner. Additionally, you can read books about childbirth, talk to friends who are new mothers, and gain a lot of information by reading recommended articles about childbirth. Facing your fears today reduces the likelihood of panicking during childbirth.

2. Create a Warm Environment

A comfortable environment calms you down. Try to personalise your room in the hospital. You can take a picture from home and hang it in the delivery room or bring a portable music set with you. Many women say that listening to light music alleviates their contractions.

3. Go with Someone You Trust for Labour

Having someone with you whom you feel very comfortable with can work wonders. Many expectant mothers want not only their partners but also their sisters or closest friends to be present during childbirth. Additionally, having someone accompany you during childbirth who has children and can reassure you that what you are experiencing is normal can also reassure the expectant mother.

4. Move Around

Standing upright and being active distracts you from contractions and allows the baby to descend into the birth canal more easily. If your doctor permits, you can do yoga, go for short walks, and dance slowly. 

5. Try Meditation

Meditation is one of the methods used to stay calm during childbirth. It helps you overcome childbirth anxiety more quickly, become more peaceful, and therefore experience fewer complications during childbirth. For example, imagine yourself with your baby among flowers!

6. Relax

Sleep problems due to back pain can also occur until the final stages of pregnancy. In such cases, you can use specially designed pregnancy pillows to sleep comfortably and restfully. Pregnancy pillows allow expectant mothers to sleep more comfortably and comfortably during pregnancy.

7. Benefit from the Relaxing Effect of Water

Water has a relaxing effect. Warm water relaxes tense muscles and reduces your discomfort. In the shower, hold the water on your back or where your contractions are most intense. A short shower or bath before childbirth can also relax you, but you should consult your doctor first.

8. Discover Yourself

Only some methods may work for some. For example, the breathing techniques you learned may not work for you, but squeezing a pillow may relax you. You need to find out what makes you comfortable. Every woman’s childbirth is unique to her.

9. Try Massage Movements

Massage can help you relieve tension. As a result of the massage, you begin to release endorphins. A neck or foot massage helps you forget your contractions for a while. The person accompanying you during childbirth can apply the following three massage techniques:

• Coccyx: Press on the mother’s coccyx with your hand or a tennis ball at each contraction.
• Back and waist area: Gently move your fingertips over the mother’s shoulders and move downwards.
• Pelvic pressure: Gently pull back the mother’s hips with each contraction. This helps to open the cervix, thus slowly making way for the baby.

The Importance of Hot Water in Birth 

• The hot water experienced during the birth process helps the mother to relax both physically and mentally by providing relaxation of the muscles in the body.
• By increasing the blood flow to the uterus, it relieves the pain that comes with the contractions in the uterus. 
• With the increase in blood flow, the rate of oxygen going to the muscles in the uterus also increases. 
• Hot water helps in shortening the time of delivery by providing better contraction of the uterine muscles. 

Prenatal Relaxation Techniques with Hot Water

Hot Water Bag 

These bags can be a good way to relieve the pain felt during pregnancy. If the pain you may experience during pregnancy stresses you out, this may also affect your baby. So, placing a water bag close to the uterus, and not holding it too much, can help ease your pain and relax. However, please consult your doctor before trying any method.  If your doctor recommends using a hot water bag, you can put this bag on your aching side without waiting too long. 

Taking a Warm Shower

During pregnancy, water has a positive effect on feeling less pain, relaxing, and easing the delivery. You can take a warm bath before delivery, either in your room at the hospital or at home before going to the hospital.

Sometimes, the birth process can be slowed down by the excitement and nervousness of being there. In such a case, artificial pain can be given to speed up labour. However, by talking to your doctor and getting their approval, you can take a warm shower. At this point, you should consider the water temperature as it should not be too hot and do not stay under the water too long. 

While taking your warm shower, using a few drops of lavender oil may help you relax more. The temperature of water should be the same as your body temperature. A shower with a temperature not exceeding 36.5-37.5 degrees on average will be good enough. 

Other Techniques

Another way to relax with water during the birth process is adding lavender to warm water for your feet. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and drop a few drops of lavender oil into it. Then, place your feet in the bucket. This foot bath will make you relax and calm.

During the birth process, applying a hot or cold pad to your waist area and shoulders may help ease your pain. 

What is Water Birth? 

Water birth is a form of birth that occurs using a deep bath or birth pool. In addition to relaxing and soothing effects, this is a process that makes it easier for you to move in water during delivery. See some of the advantages of birth in warm water:

• With the support provided by the water, it is easy to move freely and take positions that suit you during delivery.
• When in an upright position in the water, gravity will lead your baby to move easily.
• Being in the water can lower your blood pressure, suppress your feelings of anxiety and fear, and help relieve your pain.
• It can reduce back pain by reducing the pressure in the body.
• You can feel safer as it will relax you.
• Since it increases the blood flow to the uterus, your contractions are regulated.
• Since there is no general anaesthesia in this delivery method, possible side effects that may occur in the baby can be prevented.
• The risks of postpartum bleeding, birth tears and injuries that may occur in the birth canal are reduced.
• It is ensured that the birth process takes a shorter time.

How Should the Temperature of Water Be During Water Birth?

The temperature of the water is very important in this birth method. The water temperature in the pool should be maintained at 36 degrees. As long as it’s maintained at a sufficient temperature, giving birth in water can help to relax the person and reduce pain.

How Does Water Birth Happen?

• In this birth method, which is done in a pool filled with water at a temperature of 35-37 degrees, the relaxing effect of hot water is utilised.
• Artificial pain or any medicine is not given to the mother as hot water allows the natural pain to begin.
• The mother sits in the water and begins to relax with the calming impact of the water.
• The doctor or midwife who will give birth enters the water with their own equipment to deliver.
• To bring the baby to the surface, their body is expected to come out completely. The navel cord is cut when they can be taken out of the water.  The baby receives oxygen from the cord till the cut. When the baby is brought to the surface, they unite with their mother.
• After giving birth, the mother is transferred to a regular hospital room, where both the mother and the baby undergo check-ups.

When should water births not be performed?

• If there are twin or triplet pregnancies,
• If there was a previous caesarean section,
• If there are cases of genital infection,
• If the baby feels sideways or if the baby weighs more than 4 kilos,
• If the mother has diseases such as high blood pressure, heart, diabetes or asthma,
• If there is a risk of premature birth.

Is It Harmful to Enter Hot Water During Pregnancy?

Exercising in the water can be a good activity during pregnancy. However, swimming in extremely hot water should be avoided as it can raise your body temperature excessively. Also, be careful about spas in the winter holidays as extreme heat can increase the risk of hypothermia. Such a situation can be dangerous for both mother and baby.

Finally, we should not forget the importance of drinking enough water during pregnancy. Drinking lukewarm water is very beneficial for health. It is the most important thing that keeps you away from dehydration, fatigue and infection.  6-8 glasses of water every day will be very beneficial both for you and your little precious one on the way.

Would you like to share your experiences or questions as a comment?

Have a nice and healthy day!

Epidural, a form of anesthesia, commonly referred to as local anesthesia, stands as the predominant method for pain relief during giving birth. This involves injecting anesthetic and painkillers into the back region, targeting the spinal cord.

The primary goal of an epidural is to numb the nerves in the spinal cord, disrupting the transmission of pain signals. The regional numbness it provides allows the patient to remain conscious while being relieved of pain and sensation.

Application in Labour: A Vital Component When considering anesthesia during giving birth, the question of epidurals invariably arises. Epidurals for labour are employed in deliveries where the lower part of the waist is numbed through the application of local anesthesia.

Two Approaches to Epidurals:

1. Natural Birth (Vaginal Delivery) with Epidural: This involves numbing the lower part of the waist using local anesthesia for pain relief during vaginal delivery.
2. Caesarean Section (C-Section) with Epidural: In the case of a caesarean section, the lower back area is fully anesthetised, utilising both pain relievers and local anesthetics. During this process, the mother remains conscious without feeling pain. In natural delivery with an epidural, fewer local anesthetics and more pain relievers are typically administered. As a result, the mother doesn’t feel pain but retains the ability to sense touch.

Understanding these nuances helps expectant mothers make informed decisions about pain management during giving birth, aligning with their preferences and needs.

For expectant mothers, the topic of giving birth is a source of considerable contemplation. The anticipation of the moment and the method of giving birth often tops the list of questions and curiosities. The emotional mix of excitement and apprehension when cradling your newborn is entirely normal. During this period, mothers often envision bringing their baby into the world in a way that aligns with their preferences, prompting them to seek information through research.

Why Is Epidural Used?

If you’re considering getting an epidural, understanding the situations where this procedure is employed can be insightful. Epidurals are utilised in giving birth for two primary reasons:

1. Reducing Labour Pains and Facilitating Natural Birth: Epidurals are commonly administered during giving birth to alleviate the sensation of labour pains, making the process more comfortable for the mother. This pain relief can facilitate a smoother natural birth.
2. Involving the Mother-To-Be While Keeping Her Conscious: Epidurals enable the mother to remain conscious and alert during giving birth, actively participating in the birthing experience.

Beyond giving birth, epidurals find applications in various medical scenarios, including:

• Knee, hip, and foot surgeries
• Waist, neck, and inguinal hernia surgeries
• Some gynaecological procedures
• Alleviating pain caused by spinal cord disorders
• Managing post-operative pain
• Choosing local anaesthesia over general anaesthesia in certain cases

How to Administer Anaesthesia: A Step-by-Step Guide

Administering anaesthesia, particularly for an epidural, involves a precise process that an anaesthesiologist carefully follows. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Patient Positioning:
   • The patient assumes a lying or sitting position.
   • Arching the back by pulling the head up to the chest is essential.
   • The patient remains slouched and motionless throughout the procedure.
2. Cleaning and Sterilization:
   • The dorsal area, where the needle will be inserted, is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution to minimize infection risks.
3. Sterile Attire:
   • Following cleaning, the patient is dressed in a sterile green gown.
4. Local Anaesthesia Application:
   • Using a needle, local anaesthesia is applied to numb the area, ensuring the patient is pain-free during the procedure.
5. Needle Placement:
   • An epidural needle is carefully inserted into the numbed area.
6. Catheter Insertion:
   • Through the needle, a catheter is placed in the epidural space, the area between the outer membrane of the spinal cord and the inner surface of the spine.
7. Catheter Fixation:
   • The catheter is securely fixed in place.
8. Needle Removal and Medication Delivery:
   • After fixation, the needle is slowly removed.
   • Analgesic medication is administered continuously or at regular intervals through the catheter.

The entire process typically takes about 10-15 minutes, ensuring the patient receives effective pain relief during giving birth or other medical procedures.

Benefits of Opting an Epidural 

Choosing to get an epidural offers several advantages for expectant mothers:

1. Reduced risk compared to general anaesthesia
2. Faster and easier recovery
3. Active participation in giving birth
4. Witnessing caesarean section
5. Less pain post-caesarean birth
6. Facilitates long-term natural births
7. Lower risks of bleeding and clot formation
8. Emergency situations transition
9. Reduced passage of anaesthetic substances to the baby

Understanding these benefits allows expectant mothers to make informed decisions regarding pain management during childbirth, tailored to their preferences and well-being.

Risks and Side Effects of Opting for Epidural

While epidurals are a widely used form of anaesthesia, like any medical procedure, they come with potential risks and side effects. It’s essential to note that epidurals generally have lower risk ratios compared to other forms of anaesthesia, contributing to their popularity.

1. Lowered Blood Pressure:
   • Epidurals may cause a temporary decrease in blood pressure, which can affect both the mother and, in rare instances, the baby’s heart rate.
2. Common Complaints:
   • Some common complaints associated with epidurals include dizziness, itching, low blood pressure, headache, nausea, and back pain.
3. Temporary Leg Weakness:
   • There may be a temporary weakness in the legs following an epidural.
4. Potential Impact on Labour:
   • In rare cases, epidurals may slow down the progress of labour by eliminating the sensation of straining.
5. Effect of Position:
   • Remaining in the same position post-procedure may contribute to a slower labour progression. Therefore, it’s recommended to move around as much as possible.
6. Temporary Nerve Damage:
   • There is a rare possibility of temporary nerve damage during catheter insertion. The likelihood of this occurrence is closely tied to the expertise of the anaesthesiologist.
7. Low Infection Risk:
   • While there is a very low chance of infection, the risk is minimized with the use of appropriate antiseptic solutions.

Understanding these potential risks and side effects allows expectant mothers to make informed decisions about pain management during giving birth and weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks.

To Whom Is Epidural not Performed?

In some special cases, epidural may not be appropriate. Especially those with chronic diseases should be investigated whether they are suitable for the procedure. It should be examined in detail by the doctor and anaesthesia should be performed after the necessary controls are made.

Epidural is not preferred in the following cases:

• If you take blood thinners
• If you have some bleeding and coagulation problems
• If there is a low platelet count in the cells that will clot the blood
• If you have an infection in the area where the epidural will be performed
• If your blood pressure is extremely low
• If there is excessive bleeding
• If you have high blood pressure
• If you have a neurological disorder
• If there is a tumour that will increase intracranial pressure
• If you have an allergic condition to anaesthesia drugs

As we conclude this exploration into epidural, it’s essential to recognise that the decision to opt for pain management during giving birth is a personal one, tailored to individual preferences and health considerations. Epidural, with its advantages and potential drawbacks, stands as a widely chosen method offering pain relief during both natural and caesarean births. By understanding the procedure, its benefits, and associated risks, expectant mothers can make informed choices, easing the fear of giving birth and fostering a healthier experience for both themselves and their babies. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, and experiences as we continue to navigate the diverse and exciting realm of pregnancy and giving birth!

Wishing you a journey filled with comfort, confidence, and the joy of welcoming new life!