Positions
Walking around, leaning against your partner or the wall, and rocking your pelvis will probably feel much more comfortable than lying on your back in bed. There are also certain positions that you will find more comfortable than others, because these will relieve the pressure on your back.

Massage
This is a wonderful way of getting reassurance from your partner while relieving discomfort, whether you’re lying, standing or squatting. It can be particularly relieving if you have backache during labour, which most women do, or if you suffer from a backache labour.

TENS
(Trans-cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) Pain impulses conducted by nerves are blocked by an electric current, which also stimulates the production of endorphins. A battery-powered stimulator is connected by wires to electrodes that are placed on either side of the spine. You then use a handset to regulate the amount of stimulation and thus pain relief that you receive.

Visualizing
Creating images in your mind can be a very effective way of calming fear and reducing pain. As your contraction begins, imagine something that you find particularly soothing, for example, warm, bright sunshine. Contractions in the first stage are opening the cervix and you may find it helpful to think of the image of a bud of your favorite flower opening slowly, petal by petal. Thoughts of waves are also very comforting, the flow of the waves matching each contraction as it increases in intensity, peaks and dies away.

Water
Lying in warm water can be very relaxing and soothing because the water renders you virtually weightless and this brings relief between contractions. For these reasons, birthing pools are used by some mothers under supervision.

Sounds
You can help to diffuse the pain and anxiety of your labour by vocalizing in the way you feel is most helpful. Sighing, moaning, groaning and grunting are all ways of releasing tension, and you shouldn’t be inhibited, or worry about disturbing others.

Many women find that listening to music is very effective. Your birth assistant can play different pieces on a cassette recorder depending on how you are feeling.

Hypnosis
This isn’t something that you should try on a whim, since you need to respond to hypnosis very easily. Women who can go into a deep trance have been able to have a forceps delivery, stitches or Caesarean without feeling pain. A period of practice sessions is advisable, so that both you and your hypnotist are completely familiar with what you have to do during the birth.

Acupuncture
You should only opt for this method if you have already found that it can relieve pain in other situations. In addition, your acupuncturist must be familiar with labour and delivery. This may not stop you feeling any pain at all, but it will certainly reduce it, and also helps prevent nausea.