Labor horror stories are enough for any woman to question pregnancy. We’ve all heard of those horror stories where women spend 20+ hours in labor feeling like they’re going to die. But it doesn’t need to be this way; there are some things that you can do to make labor easier.
Average labor time is 8 hours.
If you want to have an easier time during labor, even if you can’t control the time you’re in labor, follow these few tips:
1. Stay Fit During Pregnancy
Gaining weight during pregnancy is natural, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work to stay fit. Sarah Stage, also known as Six Pack Mom, has changed the way that women view pregnancy. This mother-to-be, well she delivered her baby now, went through her pregnancy with a six-pack.
The baby came out happy and healthy.
Yes, there was a lot of work involved in the process, but Sarah’s determination to stay fit will allow her to transition back into her normal routine quickly after pregnancy. Fitness helps a mom:
- Improve endurance
- Tolerate labor
And you don’t need to lift weights, although there’s nothing wrong with this either. Women can cycle, walk or take a swim class to help them stay fit. Medical intervention is less likely for women that stays fit during pregnancy.
2. Find a Way to Leave Stress at the Door
Stress is never good. Super Baby suggests that stress during pregnancy can lead to increased risk of urinary tract infections as well as impact your baby’s mood. De-stressing is always a good thing, and it’s a good practice to do before your baby is born.
You’ll have plenty of time to stress once your little one is welcomed to the world.
A few ways to help get rid of stress are:
- Meditate. Yes, meditation has been shown to help people suffering from stress. You’ll want to close your eyes, choose a quiet room, and try to clear your mind. If you can silence all of the outside distractions and keep your mind free from thoughts, it will help you relax.
- Yoga. Yoga is great for stress because it helps stretch out tight muscles, loosen the body and help you also keep fit. There are yoga classes specifically for pregnant women, too. You just need to make sure that you attend your session.
If you let go of stress, you’ll have a much easier time dealing with the stress of labor.
3. Childbirth Classes are Great
If you’ve never had a child before, you might not know what to expect once your water breaks. Yes, pregnancy and giving birth are two of the most natural experiences in the world, but it’s scary when you’re giving birth.
Doctors recommend childbirth classes because they help a women:
- Practice comfort techniques
- Reduce anxiety
- Become accustomed to childbirth stages
The good news is that there are a lot of different childbirth class options. You’ll be able to shop around to find a class that best fits your needs. I recommend asking your significant other or the baby’s father to come along for the experience.
Couples classes will make the entire labor process easier on the parents-to-be.
Certified instructors are a must-have. Try and choose classes that have a size of 10 or less couples. Smaller classes allow you to ask more questions and get one-on-one instruction. Any larger than this amount tends to dilute the experience.
4. Find Ways to Distract Yourself
Active labor can last 8 hours, or it can be 14+ hours – it varies from woman-to-woman. When the contractions begin, it will seem like time is standing still. You’re going to be a little intimidated, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself staring at the clock.
Worry will set in for a lot of women at this point in the labor process.
But worry only makes matters worse. The best thing that you can do is enlist a support system and find ways to distract yourself. Relaxing is the key to ensure that labor moves along quickly and smoothly.
Doctors recommend doing anything that relaxes you at this time:
- Take a hot shower
- Go for a walk
- Watch your favorite television show
- Meditate
The key most important thing is to find a way to relax so that you can speed along the labor process instead of fixating on the time.