Oriental medicine: a drug-free approach to ease off labor pain

How often do you feel fear and stress while thinking about the labor? 

Do you’ve plan-B to reduce the labor pain? 

Would you like to reduce the labor pain and its associated complications? 

Well, pregnancy and labor are the most challenging processes through which every woman undergoes. Undoubtedly, from conception to childbirth, you’re more predisposed towards many hazards, but the way you deal with it can prevent the risks and overcome with the pregnancy and labor associated problems. 

Do you’ve an idea about oriental medicine? Can oriental medicine help you during labor pain? As approaches to combat with pain and discomfort are becoming non-pharmacologic, the side effects and further complications during labor can be reduced to a large extent. Oriental medicine is one of the most commonly used forms in all over the world. Also, it is derived from the traditional Chinese medicine. Not only the oriental medicine facilitates the non-invasive healing, yet, it enhances the body’s natural ability to heal itself via restoring the balance and harmony. In other words, the oriental medicine is ideal to use, to administer during the labor as well as pregnancy. Including motion sickness, many other diseases can be treated with the help of the oriental medicine.

Oriental medicine focuses on improving your overall health. Well, are you thinking that oriental medicine is limited to reduce the labor pain? Actually, it’s not like that. You can take advantage with this exciting and beneficial version of the medicine at any time. Surprised? 

Huh? 

While reading the oriental medicine, what comes in your mind? Is it a pill or any device? Neither it’s a pill nor any device. In fact, it is composed of the acupuncture, body massage, herbs, relaxation, meditation, and aromatherapy. All these techniques stimulate and release the natural pain-relieving neurotransmitters in your body, providing the analgesic effects. 

Let’s look at each one of these techniques more closely!

How can the pins and needles provide maximum relieve?  

Acupuncture during Chinese medicine is simply an awesome way to get the optimal relaxation and relieve. Through pins and needles, several substances are released and certain functions are initiated. In combination, these substances and functions actually build up and maintain the equilibrium between the cooling, nourishing substances and vital energy, warmth, and movement. 

By just stimulating certain points and avoiding other points, the acupuncture can provide the optimum level of comfort without harming mother and baby. Even you can fall asleep and enjoy the restfulness due to the soothing, relaxing and calming effect of the acupuncture. 

As stagnation of qi (energy unit) leads to the slowness of a labor process and increased pain during the labor, acupuncture is based on ample flow of qi (energy) in your body throughout the labor, thus, allowing the labor much shorter and easier. 

Get the appointment with the acupuncturist, if you’re experiencing nausea, headache, heartburn, hemorrhoids, backache, and constipation. Along with turning the breech position, acupuncture is also effective for inducing the labor, expulsion of the placenta and reducing the discomfort. Due to epidural injections and other analgesics, mobility is often affected. An acupuncturist can restore the mobility by using the ear points.

Is it possible that the stems and roots restore the vitality during labor? 

Yes, herbal medicine has also positive influence during labor. Around six to 20 combinations have been designed and used in the labor phase. By taking the herbal medicine, your strength and vitality are retrieved. Several herbal formulas can also treat the vaginal washes along with strengthening and tightening the vagina.  

Does body massage induce comfort and relaxation? 

Likewise other non-pharmacological approaches, body massage has impeccable benefits for getting the optimum relieve and soothe off your nerves before, during and after the labor. Many midwifery or nursing practices uses the body massage as an adjunct in the stages of the labor. However, the massage at the abdominal or sacral region should be avoided during labor because, if the specific points at these regions are stimulated, the uterine contractions may be increased and cause more painful, powerful contractions. Body massage is an excellent way of getting the sense of satisfaction, calmness and nurtured. In the final trimester, the body massages are immensely effective and if you’re suffering from hypertension or even from insomnia, go for the body massage right away! But make sure to consult with the doctor before taking an appointment for body massage. 

Though body massage during the pregnancy can help to deal with headache, nausea, edema, heartburn and backache, but during labor, it can minimize the contractions, minimize the backache and ease the expulsion of placenta. Postnatally, not only the lactation can be encouraged through the regular sessions of body massage, in fact, it can also relieve constipation and engorged breasts, eliminate depression and give the calming effect. 

However, it is suggested that from 37 weeks of pregnancy to onwards, massaging the perineum can reduce the risk of episiotomies.   

How can essentials oils help in decreasing the labor pain? 

From a headache to arthritis pain, aromatherapy has a multitude of benefits. In today’s world, aromatherapy is becoming trendier. The essential oils used in the aromatherapy are extracted from the organic products like flowers, can reduce the pain’s intensity along with increasing the maternal satisfaction. Lavender oil is highly effective for reducing the labor pain. Other than lavender, chamomile, peppermint, myrrh, frankincense, ylang-ylang, and geranium are also useful essential oils which can be used during childbirth to get the relaxation and decrease the pain episode.     

How to relax during labor? 

Most of the women become anxious and feel more stressed during labor. As a result, they experience greater difficulties during the process of childbirth. When you’re relaxed during labor, the hormones important for labor progression will be released. While becoming more relaxed, endorphins are released and alleviate the pain, making you calm and satisfied enough. Endorphins are also necessary to regulate the strength during the labor period.

All you need to do is to start the deep breathing. Even if you’re in a hospital, start deep breathing with every contraction so that the pain and discomfort will be lessened down. 

Try this distraction technique. Say ‘ba-by’ while inhaling and exhaling so that your mind should be diverted. Repeat it 10 times. Then, start saying re-lax slowly and steadily along with closing your eyes. 

After doing this, keep your eyes closed and imagines that your child is coming out through your pelvis.   

Undoubtedly, you’ll be more relaxed and have positive feelings within your mind. 

Can you meditate during childbirth? 

Meditation is one of the safest and easiest ways to boost the immune system of your baby as well as your health. Avoid all the negative thoughts occurring prior to the labor. Surround yourself with the positive feelings and thoughts. Visualization is a most potent and powerful tool can be used just before the labor. Through imagination, you can increase the confidence. 

As meditation strengthens the mind-body connection, the risks of postpartum and labor can be decreased. In the initial stages of the labor, start meditating more frequently. 

Sit in a peaceful environment. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on labor, your baby and pregnancy. Start deep breathing. Maintain the focus. Inhale and exhale up to 30 times. Open your eyes. Surely, you’ll feel more positive after doing this maneuver. 

Have a safe and pain-free labor!