Breast milk is best for your baby

Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for healthy growth and development of babies. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond. Good maternal nutrition helps sustain an adequate supply and quality of breast milk. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding, partially or fully, or of other complementary foods and drinks may have a negative impact on breastfeeding, which may be irreversible. Consult your doctor and consider the social and financial implications before deciding to use breast milk substitutes or if you have difficulty breastfeeding. Follow usage, preparation and storage instructions of breast milk substitutes or of other complementary foods and drinks carefully as improper or unnecessary use may pose a health hazard.

Pregnant lady is relaxed, looking affectionately at her baby in her womb

My Pregnancy My Way

Managing Labour Pain Naturally

Want to manage labour pains without chemicals? Here are some interesting options you can consider. Remember to consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before trying any of the following suggestions.

Childbirth is a remarkable biological process and an awe-inspiring feat of human resilience. However, one common concern that often comes up during this journey is pain management during labour and delivery. While some mothers opt for medical pain relief, others may prefer a more natural approach to managing their labour pains. To understand these options better, let's explore the hormonal influences at play during labour and how they impact pain perception.

How do hormones affect your body during labour?

There are numerous hormones that play a part in the incredible journey of childbirth that influence everything from preparing your body for contractions to managing pain and even promoting the mother-child bond. Let’s delve into several of the hormones that come into play before, during and after the process of childbirth:

Before Labour

Oestrogen
- Levels rise throughout pregnancy, helping the uterus to grow and aiding in the development of your child’s organs.^1,2
Progesterone
- Initially high to suppress early contractions and prevent preterm labour, it gradually decreases closer to labour, allowing the uterus to become more receptive to pain relief hormones like oxytocin and helping contractions to become more effective.^1,2,3 This hormonal shift is crucial for pain management during labour and delivery by enabling stronger contractions in order to help the labour progress.

During Labour

Oxytocin
- Often called the "love hormone," oxytocin stimulates contractions, helping to dilate the cervix and push your child down the birth canal.^4,6 It also promotes bonding between mother and child after birth, helping to trigger nurturing feelings and behaviours.^4,5
Endorphins
- The body's natural pain relievers, endorphins are released in response to pain during labour, helping you cope with contractions.^4,6,7 This hormonal response plays a vital role in pain relief in labour.
Adrenaline
- Also known as the ‘fight or flight’ hormone, adrenaline may be secreted during labour in response to stress, fear and extreme pain.^4,6,7 However, it may cause the labour to slow down or stop altogether as it inhibits oxytocin.^4,6,7 This shows that pain management during labour and delivery is essential in keeping both mother and child safe and healthy throughout the delivery process.

After Labour

Prolactin
- Also known as the “mothering hormone”, this hormone increases during pregnancy but peaks at birth. It stimulates milk production for breastfeeding.^4,6
Oxytocin
- After labour, oxytocin once again plays a role in helping to shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size and promoting lactation.^4,6
Endorphins
- High levels of postpartum endorphins has been believed to help strengthen the relationship between mother and child.⁶ However, a drop in endorphins postpartum may conversely cause postpartum blues.⁶

Pain Management During Labour and Delivery

Understanding how these hormones work together provides valuable insight into natural pain management during labour and delivery. With that in mind, let’s explore some techniques that can stimulate endorphin release or work synergistically with these hormones to help provide some measure of pain relief in labour for a more comfortable birthing experience.

Hydrotherapy

Many women who have laboured while immersed in a tub of water swear by its effectiveness in relieving pain, promoting relaxation and comfort.^8,9 This happens because your body may release less of the stress hormone adrenaline and more of the labour hormones oxytocin and endorphins to help you cope better with contractions.¹⁰ Being in water also makes it easier for you to get into a comfortable upright position due to the buoyancy of the water which helps you work with gravity to push¹¹. To decide if hydrotherapy during labour or a water birth is for you, do discuss it in detail with your gynaecologist as the service is not widely available in Malaysia at the moment, and there are several requirements before being deemed eligible for a water birth according to the Malaysian Ministry of Health guidelines.¹²

Change your position during labour

How much pain you can bear depends very much on how comfortable you feel during labour. The worst position you can be in, ironically, is lying flat on your back or in a semi-reclining angle.¹³ Some women actually find it more comfortable to sit upright during labour. This is in line with the fact that your uterus actually contracts forward during labour. Therefore, working with your body and leaning forward naturally with the surges of contractions will be more effective in managing and relieving labour pains¹⁴.

Staying active during labour can help ease pain and encourage your labour progress.¹⁴ Activities like walking, swaying, lunges, and squatting, which are also encouraged if you are using the Lamaze technique, can help manage contractions and keep your child moving down the birth canal.^15,16,17 Changing positions frequently can also alleviate discomfort - try standing, kneeling, leaning on a birthing ball, or side-lying.^14,15,16

Warm compress and massages

If hydrotherapy and changing positions often during labour are not possible, you may also consider simpler methods of managing your labour pain naturally. Two such methods include using a warm compress like a hot water bottle or having your midwife or partner massage your lower back.¹⁸ The warmth of a hot water bottle or compress applied to your lower back can be a powerful tool for pain relief in labour. The gentle heat helps relax muscles and ease tension in your lower back, a common source of discomfort during contractions.¹⁹ Plus, having your partner gently massaging on your lower back, hips, and thighs can also provide pain relief and offer emotional support during labour.¹⁸

Breathing and relaxation techniques

Beyond physical techniques, managing labour pain can be aided by focusing on your inner state. Practise diaphragmatic breathing throughout pregnancy and labour for natural pain distraction and relaxation. Relaxation techniques like meditation or visualisation can further promote calm and focus, reducing anxiety that can worsen pain perception. This mind-body approach can help you to navigate labour with greater control.

As your due date approaches, there are several other steps you can take beforehand for a smoother labour experience. Getting regular exercise which includes pelvic floor exercise, practising relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and prenatal yoga/meditation, attending childbirth classes, as well as having a birth plan outlined can all help to reduce stress and give you a sense of control during delivery. Last but not least, it’s also crucial to eat well and maintain a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients. Consider incorporating a prenatal formula like Friso^® Gold Mum to ensure you're receiving the essential nutrients needed for both you and your developing child.

Friso^® Gold Mum – Our formula milk alternative during your pregnancy

Friso^® Gold Mum, our preferred prenatal milk for mothers, retains the natural nutrients of the milk to support you through your pregnancy journey such as:

Vitamin D - Necessary for the absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus.²⁰

Calcium - Helps in the normal growth and development of bones and teeth.²¹

Vitamin B12 - Needed for red blood cell production and the healthy functioning of the nervous system.²²

Folic Acid - Folic acid is essential for growth and division of cells. Folate plays a role in the formation of red blood cells. Folate helps to maintain the growth and development of the foetus.²³

Iodine - Essential for the formation of thyroid hormones, which supports brain development.²⁴

Low glycaemic index - The glycaemic index (GI) is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates.²⁵ It shows how quickly food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when eaten on its own. The low glycaemic index (GI) could help the mother avoid being overweight during pregnancy, thus avoiding further complications such as gestational diabetes.²⁶

Friso^® Gold Mum consists of essential nutrients which are formulated with DualCare+™, to support mothers’ and their children's daily needs. Read more on what mothers should drink during pregnancy.

Motherhood is a remarkable journey, and childbirth is a deeply personal experience. Your birthing story will be uniquely yours, filled with emotions and choices that reflect what's best for you and your precious child. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to labour pain management. Every woman has a different pain threshold, and that's perfectly okay. The most important thing is the well-being of you and your child. So, as you approach this momentous occasion, release any pressure to achieve a "perfect" birth. Instead, embrace the power of relaxation, focus on being present in the moment and trust your body's incredible wisdom.

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