Once you have identified your negative beliefs and gained an insight into the benefits of having positive attitudes, you can now move onto ways to nurture these attitudes and implement them in the labour.
Some of the strategies (such as affirmations, hypnosis and visualisations) can be introduced and practised during the pregnancy. In fact, the basis of these particular strategies is the actual practising of them, introducing and encouraging repetition early in the pregnancy. The mind and power of suggestion can be powerful tools, working for you rather than against you.
Positive attitudes can give the woman something to work towards. Negative attitudes have the potential to undermine her mind, body and soul during the labour.
The following are some support strategies women have identified as helping them to achieve positive attitudes to their labour pain.
Key words
Affirmations
Hypnosis
Visualisations
Homoeopathy and Australian bush flower essences
Identifying qualities and strengths
Survival
Bear in mind that these are support strategies, not guarantees of producing a painless labour.
Key words. Key words can be used to help the woman focus when the pain feels like it is becoming overwhelming. Ideally the words should be short and simple and best if they are the woman's own words that she feels familiar with. Some examples of key words include:
Release
Relax
Open
Flow
Flop
Yes
The woman can repeat these quietly to herself in the last weeks of the pregnancy. As you repeat the key words, allow your body to relax and release any tension. This can help lay down a word-associated memory, and during the labour your partner or support person can gently remind you of your key word(s), unless you ask them to stop.
Affirmations also tend to be more effective if you use your own wording. These are ways to help reinforce the positive attitudes you are trying to nurture. Some examples of affirmations can include: