Pain Management during Childbirthing Process

We can follow the Gate Control Theory in pain management during giving birth to a child.

The three techniques to help gating mechanisms are:

1. cutaneous stimulation
2. distraction
3. reduction of anxiety

The methods include:

1. The Bradley Method by Robert Bradley

• stresses on the role of husband
• muscle toning exercise
• diet contains no animal fats, preservatives or high salts
• walking is encouraged during labor and use of internal focus point as disassociation technique

2. The Psychosexual method by Sheila Kitzinger

• a program of conscientious relaxation and levels of progressive breathing to go with the flow of contractions

3. The Dick Method by Grantly Dick

• eliminates fear to reduce tension and eventually pain sensation
• done with relaxation exercises and abdominal breathing during labor

4. The Lamaze Method by Ferdinand Lamaze

a) follows the concept of stimulus - response conditioning: Preventing pain in labor by use of the mind as guided by the premise:

• pain does not have to occur during contraction
• sensation such as uterine contraction can be inhibited from reaching the brain cortex and registering as pain
• conditioned reflexes are positive action use to replace pain sensations of labor

b) this method is for those whose AOG is at least 26 weeks only

c) typical exercises include:

• the cleansing breath - breaths in deeply and exhales deeply to begin any breathing exercises
• conscious relaxation - deliberately contracts and relaxes body portions from head to toe
• consciously controlled breathing - chest breathing following these pattern: slow > shallow > pant blow > shallow chest panting
• effleurage - light abdominal massage
• focusing/imaging
  

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