Question

Discussion #4

A nurse has a new neighbor who has just moved in next door. The neighbor is excited to be 26 weeks pregnant with her first child. She plans to deliver without pain medication and asks for advice on methods to cope with pain in labor without medication. Provide the neighbor with 3 methods she can use to cope with pain. Include information on the benefits of childbirth preparation classes.

Answer 1

Though we cannot completely eradicate pain during labor, there are certain measures which helps decrease pain in labor without using a medication, these comfort measures can be effective in providing a certain amount of pain relief, primarily these factors are depended upon psychological support provided to her

The first and prominent factor is Labour Support

A family member can assist through her procedure which is psychological support during her delivery by verbally encouraging and reassuring her through each contraction, providing massage, offering companionship, helping her breathe through her contractions, these activities by the person who supports her will have a tremendous effect to reduce the pain, the support person can either be a family member, father of the baby or someone who is very close to her.

Secondly Physical and Mental Relaxation.

By the use of repetitive positive phrases such as “I can do this"will enhance the confidence while affirming the ability to birth. She can also try Mental relaxation in the form of guided imagery or visualization that can distract her from labor pain. This form of relaxation encourages a woman to focus on a relaxing scene, a soothing object or picture, or even a sound, she can even try aromatherapy which is a good technique that can increase the laboring woman’s sense of well-being. In addition, a safe and cared environment is also an important factor, creating a peaceful and relaxing environment in a hospital setting is important to decreasing anxiety and tension. Soft lighting, closed doors, quiet environment also plays a major role in reducing pain.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing can keep both the mother and her baby well-oxygenated and provide a distraction from her labor pain. Deep breathing can reduce anxiety and pain perception, as well as decrease heart rate. In addition, breathing techniques during labor can help decrease nausea during labor and can help to make contractions more productive by bringing oxygen to the uterus which will help to reduce pain during labor.

These are the few commonly adopted well effective methods to reduce pain during labor, she can also seek the support of her clinician to find therapies like hydrotherapy or hypnobirthing techniques.

It is advisable for her to attend childbirth preparation classes as she is going to give birth to her first child which will help her to reduce the anxiety and will educate her on how to maintain personal hygiene during pregnancy,  prenatal education classes will help her to understand the process and stage of delivery which will help her to identify and act according to the circumstances. It is also significant to understand the necessity of prenatal care and postpartum care, which will help her to identify the difference between false labor and actual labor contraction by scoring the intensity of contractions which will help her to attend to a hospital setting for further care. It is vital that she has to be educated about the necessity of breastfeeding and how to provide care to her newborn.