- Hydrotherapy- get in the shower, labor/birth tub, bathtub. This CAN be done in the hospital. Be sure to add this to your birth plan and go over it with your provider before birth to make sure they’re on board.
- Sit on the toilet- You may have the urge to move your bowels (it’s likely baby, but it’s worth a sit!) Sitting on the toilet can allow you to relax more through your bottom and to understand more clearly the sensations you are feeling. If you’d like, sitting backward on the toilet can allow you to rest over the toilet (use a pillow for comfort) and can allow your partner to provide counter pressure on your lower back.
- Face-to-face breathing with your partner or support person- have your support person take deep, slow breaths with you, demonstrating while looking into your eyes.
- Words of encouragement from your support person- such as “You’re doing great!” “You can do hard things!” “This is so hard, but you are doing so good!” “you’re safe”
- Movement- this doesn’t mean going through the entire list of laboring positions you found online. Rather, to and from the shower. To and from the toilet. From hands and knees to standing. Try a new position for a few contractions. If that position is worse, change it.
and Finally, as a bonus #6- pain medications. Do not be surprised if you find yourself asking for pain medication. Most people giving birth find transition to be the part of labor that is most difficult and challenging. (We can often identify transition when our clients start using phrases like “I can’t do this”.) It is completely normal to have those thoughts and feelings. Only you can decide if you’d like to continue without pain medication or to utilize more pain management tools like an epidural. Whatever you decide, know that you’re an amazingly strong badass birther and we’re here to support you whatever you decide!
