Dealing With Labor Pains

Labor pains feel different for everyone. They're usually tolerable when they first start out, then increase in intensity as your labor progresses. Labor pains are just another way your body prepares for the birth.

Labor pains start because your cervix has thinned and is starting to dilate. This dilation causes stretching which is necessary in order to deliver your baby. Once the cervix has dilated to 10 cm your baby is ready to be born.

Your body has been preparing for the birth of your baby for a few weeks now. It starts with the cervix starting to soften in order for the bones to stretch. Then the cervix should move forward and down to get into place. Normally the cervix is high and tilted, but this all changes with pregnancy.

Next the cervix starts to thin out. During this time your cervix might dilate to 1cm. As you go into labor, your cervix dilates completely to 10cm.

While this process is starting you may not even realize it. You may feel a little pain every once in a while but you don’t realize that it’s happening. Every woman is different and so it’s hard to say what you will experience and when but we all have a general idea.

Some ways your body might prepare for labor without you actually noticing would be:

* Lower back pain that makes you feel like you can not get comfortable no matter what you do.

* Suddenly having frequent loose bowel movements which may be caused by the prostaglandin chemical that is produced in your body during labor and delivery.

* Vaginal mucous with some blood mixed in it. (If you notice a lot of blood consult your doctor immediately.)

* Dull pains in the cervix that start to get worse every time. They also start to come every few minutes apart.

* Rupture of membranes or rupturing of the water bag.

After these things happen you will need to call your doctor and head for the hospital. The length of time that you will be in labor really depends on you. You might have a quick labor or it may take over a day.

If this is your first pregnancy you probably don't know what to expect as far as pain is concerned. You are probably feeling anxious and scared, too, which will cause you to feel stressed and tense.

As your labor progresses and you feel your contractions coming one right after the other, you may need some pain reliever. Your doctor will start you out with the minimal dosage to see if that eases the pain. If not they may give you something stronger.

While the labor pains are getting stronger you can help yourself to deal with the pain by breathing deep and slowly. If allowed you may be able to stand in a warm shower because warm water is relaxing. Your partner may be able to gently message your back or your arms and legs to help you to relax. You can also try visualizing something peaceful or exciting that you can use to distract you when the pain becomes more intense.

Don't dedicate too much worry over the discomfort of labor. It's a time waster that makes you anxious and fearful. Once your delivery is over you will be holding a baby in your arms and your pain will no longer be an issue.