by Elysiana Canlas

First the nausea, the backpains, then you develop a permanent waddle when you walk. You've waited nine months for this moment...finally, it's here! But wait...you vaguely recall all the movies of women straddled to their hospital beds, with their partners tightly holding their hands, and the entire hospital staff gathered around shouting "Push!!!" And suddenly, you're getting cold feet. Is there a way to have less pain during childbirth, the answer is a resounding "yes!", and it all it takes is a bit of know-how, and some "gung ho" determination to make the best of this life-changing experience.

First off, what will it feel like? Many first time moms would ask this question of their "experienced" friends and are often frustrated when they're given the answer, "oh...you'll know..." Although each labor experience is unique, one common thing women say is that "it feels familiar". Many comment that it feels like menstrual cramps, only with a much greater intensity, hence, the stuff you see in movies.

Below are some popular comfort measures designed to help moms cope with the pain of labor. The best thing to do, however, is to attend a good childbirth preparation class that will give an assortment of ways to cope, if its too late for that, then just grab a book on the topic, and listen to what our experienced moms have to say:

1. Accept that pain will be a part of this experience. The worst thing that you can do is to fight the pain when it starts. This proved very effective for Martha, then a first time mother. Her labor started painlessly with a "bloody show" at home, and she quickly called her husband to drive her to the hospital. Once in her room, the pains started to come. "Just ride with it, its like a wave", she says. She got so good at it that that she didn't need to ask for anesthesia until the baby was ready to come out. Her labor lasted all of three hours.

2. Try changing your position. Two hours into her labor, another mom started feeling an increase in intensity. Wave after wave of pain would come and in the recesses of her hazy mind, she recalled having read that sitting could help. Her partner helped put her in a sitting position. "It was amazing!", she said, "almost 50% of my pain was relieved."

3. Massage is always good. For labor pains, try packing two tennis balls, and have your partner massage them around your back. These will release some of the muscle tension. Try having your partner do some alternate massage techniques such as stroking, cuddling, or putting pressure where it hurts. If there's time to prepare, have your partner read up on the different techniques that may be used for massage.

4. Hot compress. Pack a rice-sock in your bag (simply put enough rice in an old sock and sew it closed, or, if you're more crafty, make a rice pillow with an old face or hand towel) and ask your partner to nuke it with the hospital's microwave for around 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the microwave, and size of the rice-sock/bag. "It was the best thing we could have brought," declared Jamie, "the heat just felt so good against my body and I immediately relaxed". Apply this to both your groin and your back.

5. Ice Packs and Cold Towels. Depending on your preference, ice packs can be placed on your back as well. Cool cloths could also be used to wipe your face and could give some relief. "I was sweating so much from all the exertion and it felt good to have them wipe me with something cool" said another first time mom.

6. Structured breathing patterns. Yes, it actually works. One theory is that it gives you something to focus on other than the pain. Connected with this is making yourself aware of your surroundings with your five senses and focusing on that, instead on the wave of pain.

7. Vocalizing. This actually means moaning and groaning. Expressing yourself vocally could help relieve some of the emotional tension that comes with the physical pain.

If you haven't already done so, talk to your doctor about your concerns of labor pain and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to discuss the different options that are open to you. So, when the labor comes, relax, hang in there, and prepare yourself to experience one of the greatest miracles of mankind, giving birth to a child.

About the Author

PregnancyClue.com contributorvv, For up-to-date Pregnancy Information: www.PregnancyClue.com