Water provides labor pain relief! This is not a recent discovery. Since ages, water has been used to ease labor pain. However, the modern generation is still discovering the wonders of water. Nature has given us a great pain reliever, yet millions of women continue to endure intense pain of labor while giving birth.

Medical experts are making constant endeavors to reduce labor pain in women. They’ve tried all sorts of methods. Water is one of the recently acceptable methods of labor pain relief. Before we know more about water and its relation to labor pain, let’s know something about the pain relief chemicals secreted in our body.

Natural Painkillers

Our body releases narcotic-like chemicals known as endorphins in the blood stream. These chemicals are also secreted during physical activities like sex, cycling, and running. These chemicals are also produced during labor contractions. Also, a research with weightlifters has suggested that endorphins are secreted when a woman grunts and grimaces during labor. Unfortunately, the medications provided to ease labor meddle with the natural production of these “happy” chemicals.

Water Therapy

It has been found that women who took warm showers or immersed in warm bathtub during labor had a quicker and easier delivery. They were able to handle the pain of labor in a better way; some even reported to have felt less pain.

Studies have revealed the pain relieving properties of water. In fact, it has been compared to epidural, but with zero side effects! And it’s not necessary to take a shower. You can induce labor pain relief by applying washcloths dipped in warm water on your back or belly.

When you enter warm water, it soothes your body. It lowers the level of adrenaline and stimulates the production of endorphins. This is because sensations like touch, stroking, and warmth (that provide comfort) travel faster to the brain than sensations that provide discomfort such as labor contractions. So, when your body comes in contact with warm water, all the negative sensations are washed out and soothing sensations take their place. You become better equipped to deliver.

Combating The Fear Factor Through Water

In a large number of cases, it’s the fear that leads to difficult or painful labor in women. Fear tenses your muscles and thwarts the secretion of endorphins. It’s no wonder that you begin to feel the pain of labor more sharply.

Water can fight off your fear! This is the reason why many midwives encourage women to relax in a bathtub when they’re feeling tensed. Water breaks the cycle of fear-tension-pain. It also supports your baby’s weight, thus, lifting off the pressure from your pelvic and back muscles. It relieves pains associated with late pregnancy. In short, it induces an easy labor.

It won’t be long before women discard epidurals and medications to relieve pain during labor. Water will soon become the hot favorite labor pain relief option for women across the world. Water, known as the “elixir of life”, will then help you bring in a new life into the world!