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Congratulations in advance to John from Leeds and his wife, who must be readying the overnight bag and practicing the breathing techniques:
My wife and I are shortly due to welcome into the world our first child, expected September 23rd. Last week we went to our first ante-natal class (or ‘Parentcraft’ as it has now been rebranded) to find out all about how to tell you’re in labour, what to do when you’re in labour and, most important in my wife’s eyes, what drugs you can have to ease the passing of the (hopefully) lovable little tyke.
The nurse was very keen on distraction techniques whereby you forget all about the pain by the simple process of having a bath, listening to some music (or an Answer Me This podcast) or having a game of Scrabble, whatever works for you.
I realise that as none of you have given birth you may not be the best qualified people to ask but qnswer me this: what distraction techniques would you recommend for forgetting the stress and worries of childbirth?
How about grabbing the forceps and the umbilical scissors and putting on an impromptu puppet show between her knees? Leading a singsong of some of the more rousing hymns? Or propping up a target at the end of your wife’s bed of pain, to give her something to aim for during the final shunt? If she hits the bullseye, she wins a prize! Of an episiotomy.
Our inexperience in childbirth is hereby made all too obvious, but readers, many of you will have reproduced, so kindly share your distraction techniques in the comments.
Incidentally, my sister-in-law DID play Scrabble during her first labour, but it wasn’t as effective as the three doses of epidural drugs.
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Answer Me This! Podcast 
August 30, 2011 at 7:28 pm |
Would this be the same sister-in-law who had her second labour on the bathroom floor?
August 30, 2011 at 4:26 pm |
I played Bejeweled on my phone during labor. Gotta do something to while away the hours. But as a pain distraction technique I recommend yogic breathing and focus, sort of like meditation. Take a yoga class, quick!
August 30, 2011 at 1:00 pm |
My dad gave a puppet show to my mum. They are divorced.