The best relaxation technique I have used is to sit in a comfortable chair with pillows or supports as necessary to give good support to your back. You then close your eyes and focus on your feet. You imagine all the tension flowing out of them and you say to yourself (in your mind, not out loud or people will think you are nuts) feet relax.
You work up the body in this fashion paying particular attention to your shoulders and neck as this is where we store a lot of our stress and tension.
This technique once practiced can be done quite quickly when in labour so you are ready for the next contraction. A relaxed person does not secrete adrenalin so the cervix is free to dilate. The contractions therefore do not have to increase above normal as you are making their work easier.
Take control and have confidence. We are women, we are built to give birth and we can be very good at it.
Let me know if you have a pain free labour as a result of this technique and help spread the word.
