Labor pain refers to the pain felt by a pregnant woman prior to the delivery of the baby. The following are the causes, signs and symptoms, and remedies for labor pain.
Causes
Pain is usual symptoms raised by pregnant women during labor. According to Kids Health, the pain is due to contractions of the uterine muscles and the cervical pressure. As per Parents, the uterine muscles yield powerful contractions to dilate the cervix; as a result, the woman will experience pain, with associated strain and fatigue. According to Ask Dr. Sears, an over fatigue muscle results to an imbalanced chemistry and electrical activity, which leads to labor pain.
Signs and Symptoms
Labor pain presents pain as its primary symptom, as the name says. It is associated by facial grimace, sweating, increase in the pulse rate and respiratory rate, as well as extreme discomfort in the abdominal area proximal to the uterus. According to What to Expect, pain and cramps will occur in the groin and the lower back, as the labor progresses. In addition, pain is secondary to the stretching muscles and joints, preparing the pelvic area for birth. As per the publication, this is an action of the hormone relaxin. It softens and loses the woman’s joints and ligaments.
Remedies
While doctors may prescribe pain medications to a pregnant woman, they will not be able to advise the woman to take a wide range of pain killers, since some of them may be harmful to the pregnancy and the baby. Thus, remedies can be done to manage labor pains.
Relaxation
One remedy for labor pains is relaxation. According to Clementine Midwifery certified nurse-midwife Stacey Rees, as cited by Parents, the most important thing one could relax during labor was her mind. As per Rees, fear of pain will make the person tensed, which worsens the pain and makes her tensed up more.
Breathing Techniques
Rhythmic breathing is another remedy during labor pains. According to Fit Pregnancy, this allows release of tension with through exhalation and moaning. As per the publication, the woman breathes fully in a slow rhythm during contractions and/or takes quick breaths, about one every two to three seconds; this makes 20 to 30 breaths per minute. It is added that in case of lost rhythm, the partner may also help the pregnant woman regain it with eye contact, rhythmic hand or head movements, or by talking through the contractions.
Medical Consult
If the pain is not relieved and increases in intensity, it is vital to consider being seen by a health care professional. One may consider going to a lying-in and be seen by a midwife or a doctor or in the emergency unit for a physician to obtain history and make assessments, diagnoses, plans, and interventions like monitoring of the uterine contractions and fetal activity through cardiotocography and ultrasound. These data will help doctors determine the need of further monitoring through admission and prepare the pregnant woman for possible delivery in the delivery room.
Labor pains are experience by a woman during her pregnancy. Since it may indicate harm for both the other and the baby, it is best to seek medical consult from an obstetrician-gynecologist to prevent pregnancy complications through proper assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, health education, and evaluation.
Source: familyeducation.com
