Have a Better Labor with these 7 Tricks of the Trade

By Deb Flashenberg

3. Shower or Bath
The feeling of warm water on your belly and back during labor can be a lifesaver! You may find that the water helps alleviate the pain and distracts you from such intense sensation. This would be especially good if you are having back labor. If the laboring woman is too tired to stand in the shower, place a stool or the birth ball in the shower or tub. Again, it is important for the partner or doula to monitor the temperature of the water and make sure it is not too hot. Because the bath or shower is so relaxing, I typically do not use this method of pain relief until the mother appears to be in active labor because it can slow labor down. However, if the early stage of labor is rather drawn out and the mother needs to relax, a bath or shower could be the perfect solution.

How the shower or bath helps? The warmth of the water on the mother’s body can be very mentally and physically relaxing. The water pressure can help alleviate muscle tension and back pain. “The effects of immersion in water may be summarized as the following: bathing provides buoyancy and warmth, both of which often bring immediate pain relief, relaxation, lowering of catecholamines, increases oxytocin, and more rapid active labor progress. (The Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkins and Ruth Ancheta)

4. Birth Ball
The Birth Ball is a large physiotherapy ball- typically 65 cm is appropriate for the average size woman. It can be used prior to labor to help alleviate back pain and promote an ideal fetal position. Many women are surprised by my advice to bring it to the hospital with them.

How the Birth Ball helps? During labor it is particularly useful to sit on the ball which promotes a natural swaying and rocking of the pelvic. This motion can encourage fetal descent and help alleviate lower back tension, as well as provides gentle support for the perineum. As an alternative to being on all 4’s, lean over the birth ball. This position encourages an anterior position of the baby and take pressure off the mother’s back. You can also place the ball on the bed, table or couch and lean over it while stands and swaying your hips. This helps use gravity and again encourages fetal descents.
Don’t deflate your birth ball too soon, when your baby is being fussy, gently bounce on the ball. Babies really love the movement!

5. Change Positions
Often changing position every 20-30 minutes may help reduce the woman’s pain significantly. There are several common positions for women to use during labor: side lying, semi-seated positions, upright seated, standing and leaning forward, kneeling and leaning forward, all 4’s (hands and knees), Child’s pose, asymmetrical lung and upright position and squatting.

How change of position helps? Changing positions often gives the woman a chance to experiment and discover what positions seem comfortable and effective, but also allows for the baby to move around in the pelvis, encouraging fetal descent and moving into an ideal birthing position. Also, if the labor is slowing down, changing positions may help the mom get back into a rhythm that is comforting and shift the baby into the most advantageous position for passage through the pelvis.

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