There is so much fear surrounds the birth process due to that nasty little rumor that you have probably heard…birth is painful.
Painful, not painful, or a mix of many sensations, one fact is certain: There is a lot that can be done to help women cope with the discomfort of giving birth to their babies.
Here is our list of the Top Birth Tools for women to try as they labor:
Battery Operated Massage Tools – They keep working when the Dad or other support person’s hands get tired.
Unscented Massage Oil or Lotion – Smells are heightened in labor so a scent you may love any other time, may be too strong for you now. Using a light or unscented oil may work best for massages.
LCD Candles – Great to create a relaxing environment in the hospital, where the lights are often too bright and real candles are not allowed. One of our best tips involves helping you turn that sterile, rather uninviting hospital bathroom into a soothing high-end spa visit during labor!
Music – Use your phone or any device to play music., with or without headphones. Have a wide variety of selections on your playlists as musical tastes are unpredictable during labor and change often. You can also record your birth affirmations while pregnant and play them during labor to help keep you focused.
Rebozo – This is basically a scarf or long piece of fabric that can be tied around your hip bones to ease back pain. It can also be used in many other ways for comfort.
Birth Ball – Can be placed right by the fetal monitoring machine in the hospital so that mom can sit instead of lying in the bed for monitoring receiving the benefit of movement during birth. We are also trained in a variety of uses for a Peanut Ball to help facilitate proper alignment and ease labor discomfort from a poorly positioned mom in a hospital bed!
Soft Scarf – During intense contractions the scarf is held and pulled by the laboring woman, giving her a place to send her energy. The scarf can also be held by the Dad or support person and used for tug of war through a contraction which helps focus the laboring woman easing her discomfort.
Water – Soaking in the bath, taking a shower, or just soaking the feet is an effective tool to help women cope through labor.
Rice Sock – The name describes this tool best…a tube sock filled with uncooked rice. We prefer to use jasmine rice, because it will have a better scent, but in a pinch, any uncooked rice will work. Place rice in sock, tie a knot, microwave for a minute or two. Then place wherever heat is preferred upon the pregnant woman’s body. The sock will produce a nice moist heat, perfect for lower back aches. Tip: Have a second one available so as the first one cools you can swap it out instead of having the laboring woman waiting.
Some Moms prefer cold to heat, so we also carry cooling towels.
Hand Fan – Laboring women get very hot through out the birth process. It is comforting to be fanned by the father or other support person. Fanning is intimate and displays love. The act itself will ease and relax a laboring woman. And again, those great cooling towels!
Two Gel Stress Balls – Women in labor tend to clench their palms activating pressure points that relieve pain. They often desire to hold hands and begin to squeeze the father’s hand. Stress balls are a great way to provide a laboring woman something neutral to squeeze. Be sure to have two available one for each hand. The gel filled ones work best, since they don’t need to be broken in. Another tool we use often is a simple pocket comb. Placing a comb in one or both hands and gently squeezing as your move through your contraction applies a counter pressure that is helpful in relieving the discomfort of the contraction and help your focus away from that pain.
And lastly, a trained, certified Doula – A trained professional labor companion is a wonderful tool. We know how birth works and will comfort and assist you through any challenges. Although, a doula may cost more than the other tools, her wisdom and experience are worth it.
To help you get started making a plan that will work for you, here are some PDF resources. After you have checked them out, be sure to give us a call and let us share how a doula can benefit!
Coping Styles
https://transitiontoparenthood.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/coping-styles.pdf
Check list of Comfort Measures https://transitiontoparenthood.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/checklist.pdf
Mothers Advocate ebook
http://mothersadvocate.org/pdf/healthybirth_booklet.pdf
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