Labor Pain Management: Techniques for Comfort and Coping

Labor and birth require a lot of physical and mental preparation. As you get ready for your upcoming birth, you will want to have a variety of comfort measures and coping techniques in your labor toolbox so that you and your support team can be as prepared as possible. Learning helpful labor positions and strategies to promote labor progress will allow your body to work with your baby toward a safe and healthy birth. Lamaze International has created this class to provide you with the information and skills you will need to minimize discomfort and labor confidently.

Using a blend of video, reading, and interactive activities, Lamaze International's online labor class walks you through the stages of labor, providing you with tips and coping techniques to help you each step of the way. Prepare yourself for labor by practicing our breathing techniques, labor positions, and guidance on how to prepare your birth team to better support you during labor. Research shows that women supported by doulas request pain medication less frequently and report greater satisfaction with their birth and their partner's participation, so this online class also covers important labor-related topics, such as whether a doula is right for you and how to choose one.

After completing this online labor class, learners will be able to:

• Use learned relaxation skills suitable for early labor
• Practice a variety of comfort techniques that minimize active labor discomfort
• Understand back labor and how to cope with back pain while encouraging baby to turn
• Plan for transition with effective labor strategies
• Learn the top positions for pushing that open the pelvis and shorten the pushing time