In the shadow of last week's proposal by the Royal College of Midwives that non-essential epidurals should be paid for, there is no better time to look at the alternative options to pain relief for labour and birth.
As well as massage, aromatherapy etc - which you can find out about on the ThinkBaby guide to pain relief options pages - have you thought about using 'hypnotherapy'?
This is a form of self-hypnosis where you can rein in your experience of pain and fear of birth, and potentially reduce labour times and the need for any medical intervention. It takes the idea of meditation and ante-natal yoga a step further.
Maggie Howell, the founder of the Natal Hypnotherapy and a Clinical Hypnotherapist, is a mother of three, who began her interest in the idea of 'mind over matter' as a pain relief for birth, when she was expecting her first son five years ago. Since then she has become a registered 'doula', she talks at ante-natal meetings and has produced CDs on how to self-hypnotise yourself through labour as well as how to cope with morning sickness and other related pregnancy issues.
We'll be putting her products to the test in the coming weeks but if you want to find out more about her methods in the meantime, visit the Natal Hypnotherapy website.
