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.
