Top 10 Labor Coping Skills for an Easier, More Enjoyable Birth
6 minute read
Did you know that it’s possible to eliminate (or greatly reduce) the pain and discomfort of childbirth…without medication?
Whether you want to have an enjoyable natural birth at home…Or you plan to complement medication with natural techniques…Or you want to prepare for early labor before a scheduled Cesarean section…
Every expecting parent can use natural coping techniques to decrease pain during any stage of labor.
That’s why we’re sharing our top 10 labor coping skills for an easier birth! So that you can have a smoother, happier birthing experience (and a healthier, happier baby!).
Benefits of Labor Coping Techniques
There are some pretty incredible benefits that come with using labor coping techniques during labor such as:
- Experiencing less pain during contractions
- Decreasing your chance of an unscheduled Cesarean section
- Faster recovery from childbirth
- Increasing your confidence and self-esteem after delivering your baby
- More bonding with your baby
- A calmer, more settled baby
- Decreasing your risk of postpartum depression
- Potential for an easier breastfeeding experience
Whether you want medication during labor, you desire a natural childbirth, or are planning to have a C-section — there are a variety of amazing ways to cope with any pain or discomfort that you may experience while delivering your baby.
Our Top 10 Labor Coping Skills for an Easier Birth
Let’s take a look at 10 of our favorite tried-and-true labor coping techniques for a smoother labor experience. These skills are great for early labor, active labor, transition and pushing.
- Take a Childbirth Class
Learning what to expect during labor by taking a childbirth preparation class is one of the best ways to boost your confidence as you near your due date.
A childbirth class will help you explore the comfort measures you’d like to use during labor. And when you feel more informed, equipped, and empowered you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable labor!
But most hospital childbirth classes follow a one-size-fits-all curriculum that don’t always cover everything you need to know to be fully prepared for the unique birth you desire. That’s why it’s a good idea to educate yourself beyond your hospital’s childbirth class.
Check out our Childbirth Preparation 1-Day Intensive Class or consider our Labor Comfort & Support – Refresher Class if this isn’t your first birth.
- Learn Hypnobirthing Techniques
Hypnobirthing is becoming more and more popular these days — especially if you’re desiring a natural birth. Hypnobirthing techniques — like those taught in our Hypnobabies class — will help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during labor.
These techniques are really effective at reducing the anxiety, fear and pain you may experience before, during, and after childbirth. Plus, using hypnobirthing relaxation techniques are associated with shorter labors and less use of pain medication (like epidurals) and other medical interventions (like C-sections).
- Gather Your Dream Birth Team
One of the most important ways to cope during labor is to surround yourself with people that you trust. The people on your birth team can be your OBGYN, midwife, doula, partner, family member, or close friend. It’s totally up to you!
Research shows that having continuous support during labor can improve your birth experience by:
- Increasing the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
- Decreasing the duration of labor
- Lowering your risk for Cesarean birth, instrumental vaginal birth, and the use of any pain medication
- Reducing your baby’s risk of a low five‐minute Apgar score
- Reducing the negative feelings about your childbirth experiences
Your birth team will advocate for your wishes, help you into comfortable labor positions, draw you a bath, give you a massage (VIVAIODAYS Apricot Oil Nourishing Lotion is perfect for massages!), bring you snacks or water, offer words of encouragement when you need them the most, or simply be there to help you breathe.
- Create a Relaxing Birthing Environment
Laboring in a calm, comfortable environment is another important birthing coping strategy. Because when you feel safe, cared for, and relaxed…this helps to decrease your discomfort, anxiety, and tension.
A few simple touches can completely change a cold, sterile hospital room into a warm, cozy birthing retreat. Think about turning off the lights in your birthing room. Light a few candles or hang twinkly lights. Or display pictures of your loved ones or create a motivational birth board.
Many birthing people also bring their favorite pillow, blanket, or another comforting item from home to help them relax.
- Use Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is another great way to create a relaxing birthing environment. And research shows that aromatherapy during labor can reduce your anxiety and pain during childbirth.
Essential oils can be massaged into the skin, given in a warm bath, or diffused into the air using a diffuser. Fresh, light scents like lavender, citrus (like lemon, mandarin, or lime), jasmine, or peppermint can be very soothing during labor.
Test out a few different essential oils during your pregnancy to find your favorites (Motherlove Birth & Baby Oil is one of our go-to’s!) and stash them away in your birth bag.
- Use Helpful Breathing Techniques
When used with other comfort measures — like those listed in this guide! — breathing techniques can be very effective in helping to reduce pain during labor. Deep abdominal breathing techniques will relax your body and your pelvic floor muscles, while also boosting your endorphins (your body’s natural pain relieving hormone!).
It’s important to practice these breathing techniques before going into labor — so that your muscle memory kicks in when the contractions begin! One of best way to learn the right techniques (and when to use them) is by taking a childbirth class.
- Try Out Different Birthing Positions
There are lots of great birthing positions that can make labor more comfortable and less painful. Standing upright, kneeling, being on your hands-and-knees, squatting or using a birthing stool are helpful positions to reduce the weight on your tailbone and use gravity to your advantage.
Side-lying is another great position — especially if you’re able to squeeze a nap in during early labor. It’s a good idea to learn about a variety of birthing positions during your pregnancy so that you’re prepared when the big day comes!
Be sure to check out this article where we look at 7 Labor Positions You’re Sure to Love.
But if you’re in the throes of labor and are not sure which birthing position to try — listen to the intuitive feelings of your body. And when in doubt, simply move your body! Movement during labor has been found to reduce your perception of pain. Bounce on your birth ball, go for a walk in your neighborhood, or dance to your favorite album!
- Use Water Therapy
Who doesn’t love a warm bath? (Especially with your favorite bath salts!) Water therapy is one of our favorite coping techniques for labor. And thankfully, more hospitals and birth centers are starting to make water therapy more accessible to laboring parents.
Whether it’s taking a shower or settling into a birthing tub or birth pool…warm water therapy can help boost your relaxation and decrease your pain during labor.
- Focus Your Mind
Have you ever had someone tell you “Just relax!” and experienced the difficulty of trying to do just that? We have too.
This is important to remember as you near childbirth. Because it can be really hard to let go of your fears, doubts, worries, or anxieties at a moment’s notice — especially if you’re in an uncomfortable or painful situation like labor.
The good news is that it’s possible to train your mind to relax — by using positive affirmations, uplifting mantras, guided visualizations or meditation. Picturing your favorite day at the beach, or slowly repeating “I can do it” can help you to focus your thoughts and distract you from any discomfort you’re experiencing.
Experiment with different mental relaxations techniques to find what works best for you.
- Boost Your Oxytocin
Your hormones play a big role during childbirth. You may have heard of one of the key players, oxytocin — which has amazing calming and pain-relieving effects. Not only does oxytocin block pain receptors in your brain, it helps to dilate your cervix, stimulate contractions and release endorphins. Essentially — oxytocin makes the magic happen!
You can boost your body’s production of oxytocin during labor through touch. Hold hands, cuddle, or dance with your partner. Sit together as you look into each other’s eyes while your partner tells you how much they love you. Reminisce, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.
This intimacy will help you feel safe, loved, and cared for…while giving you an extra dose of oxytocin!
Final Thoughts About Labor Coping Techniques
Your labor and birth will be as unique as you are! These coping techniques are tools for you to use to reduce your pain in labor — but don’t stress if some of them don’t fit your personality or needs. Experiment and practice with the techniques that intuitively feel right for you!
Not sure where to start when it comes to preparing for labor?
Check out one of our upcoming classes at the Babies in Bloom Boutique! We’d love to help empower you to have the birthing experience of your dreams.
Need Pregnancy, Labor, or Postpartum Supplies?
Shop online or stop by the shop to pick out the perfect items you need for a smooth pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Our experienced staff members are happy to help you on your search by recommending popular items in the boutique.
Boutique Website: https://babies-in-bloom.myshopify.com/
Boutique Address: 127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
Boutique Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (We are closed on Sunday!)
