Relaxation Techniques: Physical Relaxation
Ah, massage! Isn’t that what most people think about when it comes to physical relaxation? And if your partner also happens to be a masseuse or is simply very talented at giving you massages, you may be all set. Does that mean your labor is doomed if you know your partner is uniquely bad at massaging you? Nope! It just means you’ll have to practice a lot of different types of touches together to find what relaxes you.
Do You Have the Touch?
Whether your partner is good or bad at massages, practice is always a good idea during pregnancy so you both can be experts when you get to labor. Assume your comfortable position (ideally side lying when you’re starting to practice) and breathe in and out through your abdomen. For a more in-depth explanation, revisit The Basics of Relaxation section.
Types of Touch
After you’ve assumed your comfortable position, your partner can start experimenting with different types of touch. Start with back massage, but vary the depth of pressure used; try a lighter massage and a slightly deeper massage. Then practice rubbing, scratching, and stroking. Try squeezing gently and letting go, and also try a very light touch.
You can offer suggestions for types of touching that might be more relaxing for you. But if it seems like the touch isn’t quite what you’re envisioning, just move on to a different type of touch and see if your partner interprets that in a way that relaxes you more. You can also ask your partner to vary between using the whole hand, just fingers, just palm, and any other variations.
Experimenting with Touch
After your partner has practiced on your back, move on to your arms and legs and go through the different types of touch again. Keep track of what types of touch are most relaxing for different parts of your body. If you like lotions and creams, you can ask your partner to use those. During labor, you may be more sensitive to smell, so perhaps use lotions and creams that are more lightly scented. Your partner can also try using a warm or cold compress on different areas to see if either relaxes you.
Remember that every relaxation technique doesn’t work for every woman. Try all the relaxation techniques with which you’re comfortable. After you’ve found out which physical relaxation techniques work for you, make a point of trying to practice those as frequently as possible. This will help you automatically relax at your partner’s touch during labor contractions.
