Over the years I have treated many patients to help them conceive naturally, to support them through pregnancy and also support them to have a straightforward and rewarding labour.
One of the most common questions that I am asked when working in this field is….
‘Is there anything herbal/natural that can help relieve Labour pain?’
The answer to this question is yes! In order to explore this question it’s necessary for me to go into a bit of depth about the theories behind pain and labour.
Labour and Pain
It has been said that it is not ‘normal’ to feel excessive pain during labour unless there is a medical problem i.e. there are complications. In his book, Grantly Dick-Read (author of “Childbirth Without Fear”) explains that it is the fear of giving birth that causes tension and the resulting pain experienced by women. Through the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight system) fear produces tension in the uterus, this restricts blood flow and toxin clearance and causes the muscles themselves to become ischaemic (restricted of blood). Since our muscles need vital oxygen to function properly, without oxygen women may feel extreme cramp-like muscle tenderness.
Basing a herbal regimen on this Fear-Tension- Pain syndrome we can intervene so that the body stays relaxed and the normal function of labour can take place naturally.
Herbs during Labour
Herbs that are used during labour to relieve pain are often ones which calm down the nervous system, such as Passionflower, Skullcap, Cramp bark and Valerian.
Since no woman is the same often a prescribed herbal mix is given to take during labour. This is following a consultation where the patient’s constitution is assessed and many questions are asked about the pregnancy and previous pregnancies.
Herbs for Birthing
At Foreman and Jones we can prescribe a birthing pack which includes herbal mixes to take throughout labour. These mixes can help with relaxation, pain relief, energy levels and lots more.
For more information about a Natural approach to Pregnancy why not attend our next workshop on Thursday 13th May. Click here for details.
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A very good hint is to relax the jaw whenever you feel it clenched again … that’ll help relaxing the pelvis, and that’ll help with the pain.
And of course, lying down is The Single Worst Position to be in, painwise. Sit, crawl, stand, walk, whatever. Just don’t lie flat on your back.
Thanks much Henriette for that tip. It will definitely help in my labor soon. Hoping I can’t forget that. But can you still really be able to walk or do anything aside from lying back despite the pain? Just curious..
Thanks Henriette, we discuss that in our Natural Birthing workshop. Have you read Ina may Gaskin’s book? I found that very interesting. she talks about relaxing the jaw and how that helps relax the cervix and aid dilation.