Let’s talk comfort measures for labor
Hi there, readers, welcome back, and thank you for being here! Labor and birth can be painful, not a shocker to you, right? I’m sure you’ve heard your family members or friends’ birth stories and might make you second-guess yourself. Perhaps you feel unsure or even scared to have your baby. Everyone has different experiences, and everyone endures pain differently. So, let’s talk about the different comfort measures for labor and what that may look like for you!
Environment Matters
Before the transition to birthing in hospitals, our ancestors had to deliver their babies in the comfort of their own homes. Now it has changed for the safety of the birthing person and baby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your birthing space comfortable. The environment you are in dramatically affects your birthing experience. Creating a comfortable and safe environment for you to bring your baby into is valid, and we are all for it!
Here are some things to consider when creating your birthing space:
Dim lighting in the room
Music playing on earphones or a speaker
Applying heat
Applying cold
Aromatherapy
We encourage you to feel relaxed, comfortable, and safe in this special space. This is your moment, don’t be afraid to ask for your needs. It can also include wearing fluffy socks, cozy slippers, and bringing your own pillow or blanket to the hospital. You can even buy your own gown/dress to labor in if you aren’t fond of hospital gowns. You may want to ask yourself, what helps me feel relaxed?
Hydrotherapy could be for you
You won’t be sure if hydrotherapy is for you unless you give it a try. Hydrotherapy is when you use water to help relax your body during labor, easing muscle tension, which can be very effective. According to Riverside Health, “Warm water immersion can diminish stress, hormones and decrease pain sensation. It directly reduces pain by increasing the body's natural pain relievers (endorphins) and can ease muscle tension that occurs with labor and allow the mother to relax between contractions”. It doesn’t have to be a tub; you can also do hydrotherapy in a shower. This may look like targeting your lower back with a removable showerhead, keeping the water nice and warm to help ease pain by relaxing those tense muscles. Or you can use the tub method; you can lie back or sit in the tub, but make sure there is someone at your side. If a water birth is what you are gravitating towards, we suggest you let your doula, hospital/birthing center staff know and have it included in your birthing plan.
Movement could help you during labor
It is normal and natural for you to want to move around during labor. Moving around can provide you with an excellent distraction and can help speed up labor. Movement and labor positions can also help the baby get into the right position if they aren’t head down yet, guiding them lower into the pelvis. There isn’t one position or movement that is guaranteed to do the trick, but you can try different ones to figure out which ones work best for you during labor. You can try walking alone or with a partner/doula, slow dancing with someone, or rocking back and forth. You can also try lunging positions, kneeling with or without a yoga ball, squatting, and lying on your side with a pillow or peanut ball in between your knees. We will have a whole blog dedicated to labor positions and movements, we promise!
While movement can help during labor, it’s common for some birthing people to have very limited movement due to medical intervention. It can look different for everyone; some may have continuous fetal monitoring wired devices on their stomachs to ensure the baby’s heart rate is normal. Being connected to an IV can also limit your movements, while you may ask for an IV lock, sometimes some birthing individuals may need medication through their IV. With an epidural, you will be bedridden, but there are positions you can be in while still in bed. Along with preterm labor, they may need to monitor you more closely, restricting you to certain positions and movements.
Using Touch for Comfort
Touch can be tricky; some people don’t like to be touched during contractions, while others welcome the comfort of someone’s hands. There are different ways to implement touch into your labor. Touch can help you focus on the sensation of someone's touch, a distraction that can feel good. It can also create more of an intimate experience between you and your partner. Ensuring your partner is involved and helpful within your labor.
Hands-on comfort can look like:
Massaging
Cuddling
Stroking
Counterpressure
Acupressure
Labor Doodling
If you prefer not to be touched during contractions, make sure you communicate that to your partner and doula. Don’t feel guilty about your decisions, if touch comfort doesn’t work for you that’s completely okay. We understand, and your feelings are valid and should be respected.
Applying Heat or Cold
Heat and cold therapy can be very effective during labor and are commonly used. Both can help relax the muscles, reduce the intensity of the pain, help relax the body, and can help reduce the risk of the perineum from tearing.
Implementing Heat Therapy can Look Like:
Warm washcloth to the forehead, back, and groin
Heating pad
Heated blanket
Warm shower
Rice sock
Warm massage oil
Implementing Cold Therapy can Look Like:
Cold compress on the lower back, forehead, and groin
Ice packs
Fan
Ice chips
Putting your hands in an ice bath before touch
If you have a preference, you could use one or the other. You could also use both, apply heat in one place and apply cold in another. Switching them off if you’d like, in different areas. We recommend that you make sure, when applying, that it isn’t too hot or too cold, just enough so that you are comfortable.
Concerning the Mind
We all know that the mind is very strong. During labor and birth, the body and mind go through a lot. We recommend that you prepare mentally and emotionally for labor. Preparing will help you stay more relaxed, grounded, and present to really experience the birth of your child. Pain can make us do crazy things. It can affect our decision-making skills, put us in a dissociative state. Pain i can make us focus solely on our fears, making us hyperfocus on the pain. What we like to see is for you to be nice and relaxed, your body loose and accepting the contractions, welcoming them. Allowing them to wash over you like a wave. Keeping yourself mindful, present, and in control.
Some techniques to help support the mind during labor:
Visualization
Bringing focus to your breathing
Hypnosis
Affirmations
Focal point
Vocalization
Thank you so much for joining us this week. We can’t wait to see you next week for Black Maternal Health Week! Don’t forget to visit our Instagram page, and if you're looking for support, DM us or contact us via phone/email.