40 tips for coping with labor sensations

Written By Chelsey Taylor
40 tips for coping with the sensations of labor

In honor of my 40th birthday, I’m sharing my top 40 tips for coping with the sensations of labor. As a student midwife, childbirth educator, and doula.

Labor tip # 1:

I highly recommend vaginal steaming with Ashley Kay. I tried steaming on my own, but there was a lot of information that I was missing. Turns out I was doing some stuff incorrectly. It’s just harder to DIY everything. After I lost my baby at 8 weeks pregnant, my doula boss, Allison, told me about Ashley’s support. She works with clients virtually and I would benefit from working with her. Today, when I think back on those 40 days after my pregnancy loss, I so fondly remember how Ashley held me. Virtually supported me while I soaked, steamed, grieved, and healed. I got pregnant again a few months later. This time I celebrated with Ashley as the pregnancy progressed. I hired her again for virtual pregnancy support, which was so invaluable as I was again navigating big feelings and sensations during late pregnancy changes. I steamed, with Ashley’s support, the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and during labor. Steaming was an amazing comfort measure during labor. I could feel my cervix change without the pain intensity that had rocked my world during previous births. I steamed until the baby’s head hit my pubic bone. Then I jumped in the birth tub.

As a childbirth educator, I’ve included my vaginal steaming experience. into my curriculum to introduce the concepts to my students. I highly recommend Ashley for virtual vaginal steaming support for birth and postpartum. Regardless of how they give birth, the outcome or the location, Ashley’s support is top tier. I would never have a baby without her!

Labor tip #2:

Birth affirmations are a great way to meditate on your ABBA Father’s love for you and your baby. Create birth affirmation cards during pregnancy to decorate your space where you’ll labor, birth, and recover postpartum. My favorite affirmations are scriptures: “Perfect love casts out all fear.” 1 John 4:18. “My body is fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14 You can also use affirmations such as, “Every sensation brings me closer to meeting my baby.” Think of what will be encouraging to you now until the baby’s second birthday. That’s how long you’ll need encouragement.

Labor tip #3:

I like to call this “titi-tocin.” Stimulation of the breasts can encourage the flow of oxytocin into a woman’s bloodstream, thereby stimulating uterine ctx. Dads can do this job. Just gentle rolling between contractions to boost oxytocin when needed. You can also use a breast pump, too.

Labor tip #4:

Hydrotherapy is the safest and most effective form of pain relief in labor. Laboring in the shower or birth tub can make a significant difference in your coping. Use of systemic heat in the bathtub warms the skin, relaxes muscles, reduces the production of stress hormones, improves circulation, enhances blood flow, neurotransmission of pain is reduced, oxygen uptake via uterine vessels increased, muscle tone is normalized, glucose metabolism is improved, and greater intimacy for couple.

Labor tip #5:

Lower lighting reduces stress hormones and helps oxytocin flow. Turn the overhead lights off. Turn on the mood lighting. Battery operated candles, real beeswax candles, salt lamps, hatch sound machine light, string of Christmas lights, etc.

Labor tip #6:

Sex: semen on the cervix ripens the cervix. If mama can have an orgasm, that can help regulate the contraction pattern. Kissing dad can spark oxytocin and deepens connection during labor.

Labor tip #7:

Maternal position change.

Benefits for mama: alterations in alignment of pelvic bones, which allows changes in the shape and size of the pelvic inlet and outlet. Improves the drive angle (the angle formed by the axis of the fetal spine and axis of the birth canal. Improves quality of ctx: frequency, length, and efficiency. Decrease maternal pain. Decreased perineal trauma and fewer episiotomies.

Benefits for baby: facilitates maternal-fetal circulation, fetal descent, optimal fetal head positioning during the 1st stage of labor and aids in the cardinal movements.

Labor tip #8:

The rebozo is a traditional Mexican shawl. It’s a long piece of woven fabric. When your labor support doula sifts your hips or belly to get labor to progress and so you can stay comfortable during contractions. It helps relax tight ligaments, encourages baby to settle into an optimal position, and often brings immediate pain relief. Pelvis opens better when it has been kept mobile and balanced. We need full range of motion in the 4 pelvic joints. Rebozo helps with both movement and balance. We practice using the rebozo in my Labor Sensations childbirth class.

Labor tip #9:

Aromatherapy is very comforting and encouraging during labor.

Labor tip #10:

When we feel observed or interrupted, our body’s stress response can kick in. This releases adrenaline, which slows oxytocin. Create a labor sanctuary with the same vibes you used when you created the baby. Quiet, seclusion so you can drop into labor land. You’ll need minimal chatter and to limit visitors to only helpful people. You need to be left truly undisturbed as much as possible.

Labor tip 11:

Moaning during the contraction is actually a great comfort measure. Making low, open vocal sounds is a natural and effective strategy. An open throat encourages an open pelvis. The vibration of the moan releases tension and move energy downward. High pitched screaming tells your brain that it’s not safe to release your baby. It also tightens your jaw and body. Moaning activates the parahympathic nervous system, plus it promotes relaxation and oxytocin flow. If you feel self-conscious about the noises you’re making to cope with labor, your partner and birth team can join in with you. Or you can turn the music up until you get to the point that you no longer find yourself concerned with the noises.

Labor tip #12:

Music can be an ally during labor. I’ve seen it shift emotional states of everyone in the room. I’ve seen mamas use the beat to dance and sway to encourage movement, micromovement changes in her pelvis during the contraction. I would encourage you to create your own playlist with meditative, worship music. I also really enjoy bedroom low-fy music because it has a beat but no lyrics. We can use music as a tool to create relaxation or energy.

Labor tip #13:

Contractions can deplete your body’s natural stories of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcuim. This leads to fatigue, muscle cramps, and stalled progress. Electrolytes can replenish you. You can buy electrlyte packets. Or make your own using: coconut water, molasses, healthy celtic sea salt, and lemon juice.

Labor tip #14:

We need to continue to snack during labor for as long as we can stomach it. Calories and nutrition can give you energy, stamina, and comfort. Foods like dates, honey sticks, fruit, crackers with butter, yogurt, popsicles, and almond butter.

Labor tip #15:

A TENS unit is a small portable device that can help manage back pain with gentle electrical pulses through adhesive pads. You can place them on your back and thighs to block pain signals to the brain and stimulates the release of natural endorphins. Start in early labor for the most benefits.

Labor tip #16:

acupressure points

Labor tip #17:

laughter

Labor tip #18:

birth comb

Labor tip #19:

cool air: fan

Labor tip #20:

cooling washcloth

Labor tip #21:

heat on low back

Labor tip #22:

focused eye contact

Labor tip #23:

yoga ball

Labor tip #24:

surrendering

Labor tip #25:

doula: reassuring calming pressence

Labor tip #26:

dad + counter pressure

Labor tip #27:

dancing: slow with dad or twerking

Labor tip #28:

squatting: ass to grass and simple knee bends

Labor tip #29:

hands and knees

Labor tip #30:

peanut ball

Labor tip #31:

pillows: bring your own to the hospital

hip opening like a peanut ball

Labor tip #32:

asmetrical positions: lunging kneeling and standing, curb walking, stairs

Labor tip #33:

belly lift and tuck

Labor tip #34:

batheroom countertop: standing leaning

Labor tip #35:

hiking boots: walking uphill

Labor tip #36:

couch: forward leaning inversion

Labor tip #37:

laying down: jiggling

Labor tip #38:

bed: side lying

Labor tip #39:

squat bar at the hospital

Labor tip #40:

light massage

Chelsey Taylor
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You’re so loved, mama.