Breathing may be the most powerful tool in your pain management toolbox during labour. A physiotherapist will teach you deep breathing exercises that can help calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and manage pain during contractions. By focusing on your breath, you can trigger the body’s relaxation response, helping you stay centred and in control throughout labour. Breathing techniques help ensure that you have enough energy to sustain yourself during the intensity of labour and make each contraction more manageable.

Physiotherapists teach various relaxation techniques to release this tension, allowing your body to respond more fluidly to contractions. This can include guided muscle relaxation or visualisation practices that focus on letting go of stress and staying mentally present during labour.

While strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is important during pregnancy, learning how to relax and release these muscles is just as crucial for effective pain management during labour. Women’s health physiotherapists can help you practice pelvic floor relaxation exercises, which can assist in minimising tension in the pelvic region and reduce the likelihood of discomfort or tearing during childbirth. Being able to relax your pelvic floor when needed allows you to focus on your breathing and maintain control throughout the birthing process.

A pelvic floor assessment whilst pregnant can also include assessing your ability to correctly push. It is important to learn how to push and use your pelvic floor muscles to help effectively push the baby out. Learning an optimal technique in advance can give you more confidence in your body.

One of the most effective ways to manage pain during labour is to stay mobile. Physiotherapists teach you how to use movement as a pain management strategy, helping you find positions that alleviate discomfort and encourage progress in labour. Movement helps reduce pressure on the lower back, hips, and pelvic area, allowing for better circulation and more comfortable contractions.