What should pregnant women do when they go into labor?

When contractions begin, the mother should exhale gently and slowly, and imagining pleasant images will help reduce feelings of pain and discomfort.

According to Doctor Tran Thi Minh Nguyet, prolonged labor and excessive pain can usually exhaust pregnant women, leaving them without enough strength to push, which can lead to asphyxiation in the newborn. Therefore, the doctor advises pregnant women to proactively learn about labor and childbirth.Understanding the mechanisms of labor pain and pain relief methods will help increase tolerance and make this stage smoother.

Illustration photo: News.

Getting familiar with labor pains

All labor is painful.The intensity of pain and contractions varies from one pregnant woman to another. Instead of worrying or panicking, mothers should build confidence by preparing for the intensity of contractions, understanding their body's tolerance, and learning how to reduce pain. Remember that pain is a very positive part of labor, as each contraction brings the baby closer to birth.

Relax your body with breathing techniques.

Relaxing and focusing on breathing will help pregnant women reduce anxiety and pain. There are two breathing techniques to use at this time: slow breathing and gentle breathing. In the early stages...when contractions beginYou should exhale gently and slowly through your mouth, then inhale slowly through your nose. Maintain this steady rhythm throughout each contraction, which usually lasts 4 to 6 seconds. When the contractions become stronger and more frequent, and the mother finds it easier to breathe, she can begin using light, short breaths. Note: When breathing, use only the upper body, avoiding the lower abdomen, where the contractions are occurring most frequently.

Labor positions

Several positions can positively support an easier delivery. You can walk back and forth, lean against a wall and rock your pelvis to shift the baby's weight forward, reducing pressure on your spine and increasing the effectiveness of contractions. Or sit on a chair, lean forward, and spread your legs apart. You can also crawl to relieve back pain when contractions become stronger. Keep your legs spread wide, your back straight, and rock your pelvis. If you feel tired, you can lie slightly on your side, place a pillow under your head and upper thighs, spread your legs apart, relax your arms, close your eyes, and focus on breathing.

Unleash your imagination.

Visualizing pleasant images can help pregnant women reduce pain and fear. When a contraction begins, try to imagine images that make you feel comfortable and happy, such as a cool beach or a lush green meadow full of flowers. The first contractions occur when the cervix is ​​dilating; imagining a beautiful flower bud slowly opening its petals one by one can be very helpful. You can also think of waves crashing against the shore, corresponding to each uterine contraction. In fact, many pregnant women report feeling much better when using this method to reduce pain.

Listening to music is also a very effective way to reduce pain during childbirth. A soothing, gentle melody will help pregnant women cope with contractions. Songs with gradually increasing tempos will help you build endurance to deal with stronger contractions.

Medical intervention

When pain exceeds the tolerable threshold or the pregnant woman fears that the pain will overwhelm her and leave her without the strength to give birth, medical interventions such as painkillers, anesthetics, and sedatives may be considered. Using sedatives in low doses can alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, help the pregnant woman rest between contractions, and control nausea and high blood pressure. However, sedatives can cause drowsiness, so thorough consultation with a doctor is necessary before deciding to use them.

Note: Many pregnant women dislike using anesthesia during labor due to concerns about potential side effects such as drug-induced dizziness, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and drug-induced infant distress. However, in cases where the pain has exceeded tolerance levels, or labor is prolonged and exhausting, pain relief medication is necessary. To determine which method is most suitable for each individual, it is advisable to consult a doctor beforehand.consult a doctor or midwife.Information about the pain relief methods available at the hospital, as well as their potential effects and side effects, will help pregnant women decide which method to choose when labor becomes difficult.

According to VNE