Labour is a natural process that brings you one step closer to meeting your baby. While the process can be intense, understanding the symptoms and knowing how to manage labour pain can give you plenty of confidence.
Normal Delivery Pain
Pain Management in Labour
Labour pain symptoms include back pain, contractions, pelvic pressure, tightening, mucus plug loss, water breaking, and increased rectal pressure, signaling labour is near.
Timing and intensity of contractions are two important factors in recognising true labour from false labour pain. Let us understand what true and false labour are.
False labour pain symptoms are irregular, weaker, and often stop with movement. Moreover, this pain is usually felt only in the front of the abdomen.
True labour pain symptoms include regular contractions that get closer together and last 30-70 seconds. You may also experience your water breaking, which may confirm that true labour has begun.
Braxton Hicks contractions are mild, irregular “practice contractions” that help your body prepare for true labour. These include a gentle tightening or hardening in the abdomen, usually without a regular pattern.
Top tips for Labour & Delivery
Early arrival
Discuss premature labour signs with the doctor to address concerns and get proper guidance.
Childbirth prep
Enrol yourself in prenatal courses to learn different labour stages and what to expect.
Labor check-up
If your labour feels abnormal let the doctor examine you first for a correct diagnosis
Stay active
A moderately intense 30-minute physical activity on most days of the week is great.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
Ensure you take prenatal vitamins throughout your pregnancy and the postpartum period
Normal Delivery Pain
Normal delivery pain is unique to each mother, starting with mild contractions that intensify as labor progresses. Many describe it as deep cramping or pressure.
How Does Labour Pain Start?
Labour pain usually starts with uterine contractions that become more frequent and intense. These contractions may start in the lower back or abdomen and gradually spread as labour progresses.
How To Manage Pain?
There are several ways to manage labour pain. Deep breathing helps with focus, while an exercise ball or gentle movement can relieve lower back pain. Warm showers and soothing music offer comfort and reassurance.
What Does Labour Pain Feel Like?
Labour pain often feels like intense, rhythmic cramping that starts in the lower back and radiates to the front. For many, it’s similar to strong menstrual cramps but grows in intensity.
Pain Management in Labour
Pain management techniques help control and ease labor discomfort, including deep breathing, movement, using an exercise ball, or anything that feels good in the moment.
Breathing Techniques
Deep breathing involves taking slow, deep breaths. Paced breathing focuses on inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly.
Exercise Ball
Sitting or gently bouncing on an exercise ball during labour helps relieve pressure, encourages better posture, and supports a comfortable labour position.
Music
Calming music provides a soothing background that helps distract from contractions and keeps you relaxed.
Movement
Gentle movement during labour, such as walking or swaying, helps relieve tension and encourages the baby’s descent.
Delivery can broadly be divided into 3 categories based on the process and the involvement of the medical team. They are:
Vaginal delivery: The most common type, where labour progresses naturally, often supported by pain management techniques.
Caesarean delivery: A surgical procedure, either planned or done when medical circumstances require an alternative to vaginal delivery.
Assisted vaginal delivery: Uses tools like forceps or a vacuum to help guide the baby out when additional assistance is needed.
Normal delivery is the first category of delivery where minimal to no involvement is needed from the medical team.
A normal delivery is the most common and natural way of bringing a baby into the world. It generally allows for a quicker recovery and encourages bonding with the baby right after birth.
Here are a few tips you can incorporate into your routine to increase your chances of a normal delivery.
Stay active: Light exercises like walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga improve endurance.
Balanced diet: Eat a nutritious, well-rounded diet to support your body and baby’s growth.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps prevent fatigue and supports good circulation.
Squats and pelvic tilts: Strengthen your pelvic muscles and help the baby move into the optimal position.
Epidural for painless delivery
An epidural blocks pain during normal delivery through a lower spine injection. Discuss its safety with your doctor before going into labour so you can have a smoother childbirth experience.
Episiotomy stitches
Episiotomy stitches are small incisions made during delivery to ease the baby’s passage. It typically takes a few weeks to heal but you can feel better sooner with good hygiene and rest.
C-section is the second category of delivery where the doctor and the medical team facilitate the childbirth. Let's understand it better.
C-section is a surgical procedure where the baby is delivered through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. It can be a personal choice or recommended for specific medical conditions or unforeseen complications during delivery.
The indication of caesarean section could include factors like the baby’s position, maternal health conditions, or prolonged labour. Doctors assess these indicators before opting for a caesarean section.
There are several types of caesarean sections, each one tailored to specific medical or personal circumstances.
The number of stitches used depends on whether it is a continuous stitch or several individual ones. Generally, 6-8 layers of tissue are sutured, which may require 10 to 15 individual stitches per layer, depending on the technique used.
Vacuum delivery comes under the third category of deliveries where some medical intervention is needed. Let's understand it better.
What is vacuum delivery?
In vacuum-assisted delivery, a suction device with a soft or rigid cup is gently attached to the baby’s head. This allows the doctor to apply controlled pressure to guide the baby out during contractions.
Complications of vacuum delivery
Complications of vacuum delivery can include mild swelling or bruising of the baby's scalp. This typically resolves in a few days. For the mother, small tears may occur, often requiring 2-5 stitches.
Forceps delivery also comes under the third category where some medical intervention is needed. Here is what you can expect.
What is forceps delivery?
It’s a type of assisted delivery where forceps, which resemble large tongs, are carefully placed around the baby’s head and the doctor gently guides the baby out. This technique is generally used in the second stage of labour.
Need for forceps delivery
Forceps delivery could be required in the case of prolonged labour or concerns about the baby’s heart rate. Forceps may also be recommended if the mother is unable to push effectively.
FAQs
Your bump may feel heavier and might drop lower as the baby gets into positions for birth.
During labour, your belly feels tight and firm and when contractions start, they come in waves.
Frequent Braxton Hicks can happen as your body prepares for labour, especially in the final weeks.
Pain can be managed with breathing techniques, movement, or pain relief options like epidurals.
The pain occurs as your body works hard to push the baby out, with muscles contracting intensely.
Labour pain usually comes in regular waves, growing stronger and closer together over time.
Yes, labour can begin while you’re asleep, waking you up as contractions become more intense.
Yes, walking can help ease discomfort and may speed up labour by encouraging the baby’s descent.
The five main types are vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery, caesarean section (C-section), induced labour, and water birth.
SVD, or Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery, is a natural delivery without medical intervention.
The best delivery type varies based on health needs; vaginal delivery is often preferred for a quicker recovery process.
The two types of placental delivery are active management (assisted) and physiological management (natural).
