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Women have been giving birth for years. Labor is work, there is no other way to describe it. Your birthing a human being it’s not always easy physically or mentally. Especially if it’s your first child it can a very long process. Read on for 10 tips for making labor easier.
You have probably heard stories of other women’s experiences. It is always good to get advice from other mommas. Every expectant mom is looking for comfort from other women while planning the arrival of their little one.
Here are 10 tips for making labor easier and giving your a great birth experience.
1. Have a Birth Plan and Be Open to Changes to That Plan
When your pregnant you envision exactly how your labor will go. It doesn’t always work the way it is planned. Things happen and the goal is to bring your baby into this world keeping both you and baby safe during that process. As much as you plan for you labor to go a certain way it might not end up the way you wanted.
You might be adamant about having a natural birth, then things could change, and you have no other option except an epidural for pain relief and comfort. Maybe you hoped for a vaginal delivery and for what ever reason need to get a c-section.
Every woman’s labor is different, and it can’t be controlled or planned.
Trust your medical team to let you know when it’s time to push and how hard. Not pushing correctly can take away your energy leaving you exhausted before you are done.
2. Great support partner or doula
Women with good support often cope better in labor and feel their experience of birth was a positive one.
Having someone constantly encouraging you and how well you are doing during labor can be the boost you need.
Two of my three labor’s I had my husband and sister. My sister was my rock during those labors because my husband really was clueless and not very helpful. As a mom herself she knew was it felt like and could keep me focused on delivering my baby. The only reason she wasn’t there for the other birth is my water broke and I labored so fast we almost didn’t make it to the hospital. My middle daughter was born within 10 minutes of arriving at labor & delivery, they had to check me in after she was born.
3. Having the Correct Breathing Techniques
Breathing slowly and deeply helps you relax, helping to prevent tension in your muscles and allowing your cervix to dilate.
With every contraction you will need to breathe in deep and breathe out slow. After a few contractions you will learn how to use your breathing to get through each one of them.
For a vaginal delivery, the cervix needs to be 10 centimeters dilated and 100 percent effaced.
While cervical dilation is necessary for labor to progress, being dilated isn’t necessarily a sign that true labor is starting.
In some cases, women will dilate a few centimeters weeks before their due date. Others will dilate much faster, in just a few hours, and transition quickly between the stages of labor.
It wasn’t until my third child that I feel like I figured out the correct way to breathe during labor. My first I didn’t really know what the heck breathing I was doing. My second labor came so fast I was hyperventilating from the pain. My third I was induced and researched extensively beforehand the correct breathing method and it really did make a difference. I felt I could tolerate the pain and made me feel more in control of my labor.
4. Standing and Walking
One of the main benefits of standing during labor is gravity, which helps increase pressure on the cervix and helps bring your baby into the pelvis.
If you can get up and walk around, you get the added benefits of movement. In fact, women who are upright and moving around during labor typically have shorter labors, report less pain, receive less intervention and are more satisfied with their birth experience.
Swaying, rocking, or even dancing can ease your pain.
5. Change Up Positions
When your labor is slowing down, changing your position can make it easier for the baby to get into the best position for moving through your pelvis as labor progresses.
You could try a birthing ball. Try sitting on a birth ball or rocking chair. A type of exercise therapy ball can particularly help if the baby’s position is delaying progress.
Maybe you had an epidural and are not able to move around easily or safely on your own, ask your support person or nurse to help you move from side to side or sit up.
Stand and lean forward over your bed or your partner.
6. A Change in Scenery
A change of scenery can provide distraction from the discomfort of labor, perhaps at least making it seem like the clock is moving a bit faster.
Changing your environment, even just for a few minutes can help ease some mental stress you will feel during labor.
If you are at the hospital, try taking a walk down to the halls. I would clock how long it took me between contracts as it gave me something to focus on other than the pain. Depending on what stage of labor you are in some hospitals have special areas on the property where you can get out in the fresh air.
Laboring at home, you should try getting outside. The fresh air will help bring a new perspective. If your too tired and are not able to get outside, change rooms. even if only to stand in your own backyard. Too tired for a walk around the block? Try simply changing rooms. Take a bath or try other relaxation techniques that use water.
7. Boost and maintain your energy levels
You use up a lot of during labor, so it’s important that you build up your stamina and feed your muscles throughout.
Snacking regularly and drinking plenty can help significantly. If you are already at the hospital make sure to check to see if you can drink or eat.
8. Get in the Water
Research shows that moms who use a birthing pool for labor often experience an easier, more relaxed labor.
Take a soak in the jacuzzi tub in your labor room.
I had all three of my daughters at the same hospital. In fact, my first two daughters were born in the same exact delivery room 19 months apart. That hospital room did not have a jacuzzi tub. With my third daughter I requested a birthing jacuzzi tub room. Since my labor progressed so fast, I didn’t even get to use it.
You can get in the shower and let the water run down your back or stomach depending on where your contractions are.
9. Listen to your body
Go with your body needs. If you feel exhausted take a break and lay down if you can.
You are the only one who knows what your body is doing and when it is time for baby’s arrival.
During my laborers I knew it was time to push, the nurses kept saying no you are not ready. I insisted they check me because I could feel the baby was about to come out. I labor fast and my body knows what do. Your demeanor will change once you are in active labor. Just listen to what your body needs.
10. Push Correctly
Understanding how to push effectively will help reduce the amount of time you push.
The best advice I got from someone at my first baby shower was to push like your pushing out a number two. It may sound funny however it does work. Pushing from your rear area help bring that baby out.
Pushing in-correctly you will wear yourself out fast. Save your energy and push in a way that will help decrease your pushing time.
Final thoughts…
Being prepared physically and mentally for each labor and delivery will make your experience even better. After all, labor will not last forever. It may not feel like that during labor, but I promise you it will eventually be over.
Holding that precious baby will solidify all your hard work during labor. All the pain will evaporate while you focus on your new bundle of joy. Then you will begin the journey to motherhood.