A-Z of natural pain relief

Here's an A to Z of ideas to help you cope with pain and feel in control of your labour:

A: ask for information: the more you know, the more relaxed you'll feel;

B: breathe rhythmically, and relax as you breathe out;

C: cuddle your husband or birth companion;

D: drink sips of water in between contractions;

E: eat carbohydrate-rich foods when you feel hungry;

F: fan yourself with a small electric fan;

G: groan and moan: this is the one time you can throw modesty aside as making a noise is a great form of pain relief!;

H: hold your husband's hand;

I: imagine your baby moving down through your pelvis with every contraction;

J: joke with your husband; keep things in perspective!;

K: kisses (from your husband, Mum, sister, friend);

L: listen to music to help you relax;

M: move around to make yourself as comfortable as possible;

N: nestle down in a large pile of pillows or a huge bean bag (you may have to ask the hospital to provide extra pillows or bring your own);

O: open your pelvis as wide as possible to help your baby be born, eg: kneel on one leg with the other out to the side;

P: think positively: 'Each contraction brings me closer to the birth of my baby';

Q: question what you don't understand; being frightened will make the pain worse;

R: rock your pelvis round and round and back and forwards with each contraction;

S: sigh out gently with every breath;

T: trust your body: you do know how to give birth!;

U: understand the treatment being offered; if you understand, you can cooperate and make things easier;

V: visit the toilet regularly; a full bladder will slow your labour;

W: walk around to ease aches and pains and bring on contractions;

X: more kisses!;

Y: yell, loud and long, and then try to get back into a good breathing pattern;

Z: zzzzzzz: doze off in between contractions.