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Coping During Labor:
The Three R's
Adapted From
Pregnancy,
Childbirth, and the Newborn
(©
2001, Childbirth Education Association of Seattle)
A new approach to self-help comfort measures in
labor is based on observations of the real experts — women in labor.
These observations have helped the authors simplify and individualize
the labor-coping techniques described in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and
the Newborn.
The Three Rs: Relaxation, Rhythm, and Ritual
Despite the variety of ways that individual women
cope with the demands of labor, there are some basic similarities among
women who cope well. “Coping well” means that they get through their
contractions without being overwhelmed. Their behavior has these three
things in common: Relaxation, Rhythm, and Ritual. These Three Rs,
describe the essential, universal, instinctual behaviors of women in
labor.
Relaxation
Women who cope well in labor always use relaxation,
either during or between contractions, or constantly. It is quite common
for these women in early labor to allow their muscles to go limp during
contractions, and to move about between contractions. Later in labor,
some women may become more active during contractions (swaying, rocking)
and relax and rest only between contractions. Others may remain very
relaxed, still, and unresponsive to what is going on around them, both
during and between contractions.
Rhythm
Women who cope well rely on rhythm in any number of
forms. For example, they may rhythmically breathe, moan or chant. They
may rhythmically tap or stroke something or someone. They may rock,
sway, or even dance in rhythm. They may even curl and uncurl their toes
in rhythm! Or, they may want to be talked to, stroked, or moaned with,
by someone else. Rhythmic activity calms the mind; it has a lulling
effect.
Ritual
Although the word “ritual” is usually applied to
religious or cultural activities, or to behavioral habits (such as “a
morning ritual”), in this context “ritual” applies to the repetition of
a meaningful rhythmic activity. Childbirth educators teach rituals for
handling contractions that include relaxation, breathing, and
attention-focusing. As labor progresses and becomes more intense, most
women adapt or add to these learned rituals in ways that reflect their
own personal coping styles and help them deal with the specific
challenges of their particular labors.
If a woman is free to move (change positions, walk,
sway, rock), she will usually find a spontaneous ritual (usually adapted
from what she learned in childbirth classes) which she will repeat
precisely the same way contraction after contraction. If a partner is a
part of the ritual, that person must also consistently repeat his or her
part without changing it. The partner’s role might include eye contact,
holding or touching, swaying with her, saying exactly the same words
over and over, or counting breaths through each contraction.
The ritual often changes from time to time in
labor. If a woman feels overwhelmed and unable to carry on a ritual, her
partner, doula, or caregiver may help reestablish it. Such rituals show
that women can adapt to the demands of labor and get through it.
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