ABSTRACT
Many factors will influence the way in which a woman is able to or wishes to cope with pain in labour. It is possible in most units to provide a woman with a wide range of pain-relieving methods, and it is likely that she may wish to use more than one method during the course of her labour. During the course of labour, woman may find that by adopting different positions she is able to relieve some of the pressure and pain. Many women find being in water during the first stage of labour helpful. Birth cushions are available from a number of sources and even on some labour wards. Some women find them very useful if they wish to adopt a squatting position in labour. Following delivery, cushions should be washed with the appropriate cleansing solution, dried and stored. Modern delivery beds sometimes have ability to be modified into birthing chairs, which can be helpful to some labouring women.
