The stresses of labour can motivate you to work with them. They may release energies within you that you hadn't previously recognised and which will help you to cope with the birth experience.

Childbirth stress appears in many forms:

These are just a few of the stresses associated with childbirth. Each woman reacts differently. In labour, levels of stress have the potential to be high depending on how pain and anxiety are managed.

Relaxation techniques are designed to reduce muscle tension and ease the pain and stress of childbirth. They are not diffficult to leam and many women find them useful in other stressful circumstances too. Learning how to relax offers several benefits:

(i) During pregnancy

Many women find that relaxation helps them to get off to sleep at night and to have a rest during the day.

(ii) During labour

Relaxation techniques help you to cope with the physical and emotional stresses of labour in various ways. Relaxation is known to have effects on the sympathetic nervous system which may assist the labour process. By relaxing in between contractions, many women find that they can face the next contraction with renewed energy. Relaxation also reduces muscle tension and so helps counteract fatigue.

(iii) After the baby is born

New parents find that life after delivery is hectic, demanding, and tiring. Being able to relax helps mothers to snatch some rest during an otherwise busy timetable. Relaxation can also make baby's feed time more enjoyable. After all, a relaxed mother is more likely to cope well with the stresses of early parenthood.