Approaching labor:

Whether you are planning a medicated birth or unmedicated birth, the process of labor takes preparation. Our bodies and minds are unfamiliar with the type of intensity that is involved in labor: emotional and physical intensity. When both of these realities come together, we can get overwhelmed. Rewriting how our minds process “pain” is an essential part of preparing for birth.

"This pain is purposeful, it’s productive, it’s bringing me closer to my baby.”

We are taught to fear pain and sometimes even fear birth. The reality is that labor intensity isn’t “bad”. Most birth is a normal and physiological process for our bodies to go through.

There is a concept in the birth world called “working with your labor”. Meaning, don’t fight the process, surrender to it. Allowing to work in you and trust the process.

Side note: I want to mention there is never one “right” way to give birth. YOU get to decide what this looks like and get to change your mind. Recognize that some tools (interventions) in labor are really helpful and necessary. The advice on this page is not medical advice and it’s important to work with your care provider to understand your specific birthing situation.

 

Medicated birth: Even if you are planning to use medications as part of your pain management, it’s likely that you will have a part of your labor that you feel. Preparing for this time is really essential in creating a positive experience.

Tips with coping with labor until you are ready for an epidural:

  • Hire a doula

  • Practice laboring positions: https://www.thebump.com/a/birthing-positions

  • Take a childbirth education class: Take a class that talks about the stages of labor and what to expect, but also ways to cope with labor

  • Practice counter pressure: Double hip squeeze, sacral counter pressure, massage, holding a comb

  • Breathe: Keep breathing, focus on your exhale

  • Change your environment: Moving, getting into the tub or shower, turning down the lights

Unmedicated birth: When planning for an unmedicated birth, it’s important to know that the preparation is so very important. You need to prepare your body, mind and partner for what unmedicated birth can look like and what your preferences are.

Tips for unmedicated birth:

  • Hire a doula: Specifically a doula who has experience in unmedicated birth

  • Minimize unnecessary interventions: This could include things like inductions (unless medically indicated) or breaking the amniotic sac

    • Interventions are not always bad, some are great tools that are necessary in labor

  • Choose a low-intervention care provider: The care provider you choose has a high influence on the direction of your birth. Midwives (CPMs and CNMs) are trained experts in low-intervention labor and birth. Discuss your desires with your care provider and make sure you are on the same page.

  • Choosing your birth location: Home birth and independent birth centers are set up to support low-intervention and unmedicated birth. These are great options for people who desires these.

  • Take a birthing class: Specifically a class that is for out of hospital birth

  • Practice coping techniques: Counter pressure, massage, holding combs, TENS unit, sterile water injections

  • Get into the water: Labor or birthing in the water is an amazing way to cope with labor and very effective for many people

  • Move: Change positions and move often, https://www.thebump.com/a/birthing-positions

  • Set your environment: Dim the lights, listen to music, set up birth affirmations (create your own or buy some), encourage a quiet space

  • Know that birth is hard work sometimes, it’s okay that it’s hard

Resources: