In response to hospital policies limiting support people during COVID-19, Family Trees Birth Program has created this free labor support page for pregnant and laboring people who find themselves suddenly without their doula during labor. These resources may also be useful for nurses who have suddenly been tasked with providing labor support to multiple patients.
Below find the free 25 page Labor Along - A Guided Birth Companion Manual. Laboring people can use this guide as they progress through labor.
We've added a collection of soothing YouTube videos for visualization, followed by suggested comfort measures for all stages of labor. Look for more specific labor support videos over the next few days.
We hope this virtual support is helpful and we wish you all a happy, healthy birthing experience.
Below find the free 25 page Labor Along - A Guided Birth Companion Manual. Laboring people can use this guide as they progress through labor.
We've added a collection of soothing YouTube videos for visualization, followed by suggested comfort measures for all stages of labor. Look for more specific labor support videos over the next few days.
We hope this virtual support is helpful and we wish you all a happy, healthy birthing experience.
"Labor Along" - A guided birth companion manual for parents & nurses
Comforting YouTube Videos
Comfort Measures For Early Labor
Rest/Sleep -If the sun is not out, you should be resting as much as possible. If you are unable to sleep, at least sit quietly with eyes closed and labor in a peaceful, quiet environment. Consider letting your partner rest so they are well-rested when you need the most support. If you find laying down uncomfortable, try hands and knees position, or build a nest of pillows around you.
Eat/Drink - Eat to your desire. Drink frequently. Staying nourished and hydrated is very important and lends to your comfort. Your uterus needs calories, so be sure to include foods such as fresh fruit & veggies, protein sources such as eggs, chicken, etc. Drinking water, coconut water, fruit juices, or sports drinks will keep you hydrated and provide calories.
Keep Busy - If the sun is up, find a project around your house that will keep you busy. Clean, bake a snack for later (or even a birthday cake for baby!), cook food for when you come home from the hospital (soup is excellent!), do some crafts, knit, sew, do laundry, garden, manicure, pedicure, massage, binge watch a TV show or movie... Here is a recipe for a Groaning Cake (a traditional cake made by people in labor to keep busy).
Time A FEW Contractions - Every hour or so or when you notice something has significantly changed, time a few contractions. Do not spend your entire early labor timing contractions. This is your special time to enjoy. Time contractions just to get an idea of how things are progressing.
Eat/Drink - Eat to your desire. Drink frequently. Staying nourished and hydrated is very important and lends to your comfort. Your uterus needs calories, so be sure to include foods such as fresh fruit & veggies, protein sources such as eggs, chicken, etc. Drinking water, coconut water, fruit juices, or sports drinks will keep you hydrated and provide calories.
Keep Busy - If the sun is up, find a project around your house that will keep you busy. Clean, bake a snack for later (or even a birthday cake for baby!), cook food for when you come home from the hospital (soup is excellent!), do some crafts, knit, sew, do laundry, garden, manicure, pedicure, massage, binge watch a TV show or movie... Here is a recipe for a Groaning Cake (a traditional cake made by people in labor to keep busy).
Time A FEW Contractions - Every hour or so or when you notice something has significantly changed, time a few contractions. Do not spend your entire early labor timing contractions. This is your special time to enjoy. Time contractions just to get an idea of how things are progressing.
Is It Time To Go To My Place Of Birth?
Although every person and every labor are different, the general guideline for healthy people with a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby is to spend much of your early labor at home and to head to your place of birth using the 5-1-1 guideline:
- When contractions are 5 minutes apart
- When contractions are lasting 1 minute long
- When contractions have been that way (5 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute) for ONE HOUR
Comfort Measures For Active Labor
Don't Ask, Just Do - Support person should be prepared to offer a drink and a cool rag after each contraction. Don't ask if the birth person wants it - just offer it. They will tell you if they do not want it. The thinking brain is not in charge during active labor, and questions will be stressful for the birthing person.
Give In - Active labor can be intense. Do not fight it. Just give in to it. Let it happen. Support person should provide a sense of security and safety through words and physical contact/support. Follow the birthing person's lead.
Avoid The Bed - Laying down is uncomfortable during labor. Being on your feet and having freedom to move feels better. If you don't want to stand, try using the birth ball or the rocking chair. If you're able, take a walk around the hospital floor.
Keep Moving - Sway, dance, walk. People in labor like rhythm and repetition.
Make Some Noise - Sing, hum, loan groans - keep your voice low and deep (high pitched sounds are fear based). Support people can model this and the birthing person will follow.
Counter Pressure - People in labor generally like counter pressure on their lower back/sacrum area. This is the area at the very base of the spine.
Cool Rag - Wet a washrag with cold water. Use this to wipe the laboring person's face, back of neck, and apply to forehead.
Use The Water - Water (hydrotherapy) is an excellent comfort measure.
Control The Shakes - It is normal to shake just before birth. A warm blanket can help, as does a hug. Wrap the blanket over the back of the shoulders so birthing person can hold on to it. This helps with shaking.
Vomiting Is Normal - It is normal to vomit just before birth. Keep a container nearby. Offer a sip of water/juice afterwards and wipe face with cool rag. Sometimes mouthwash or a mint afterwards is helpful.
Give In - Active labor can be intense. Do not fight it. Just give in to it. Let it happen. Support person should provide a sense of security and safety through words and physical contact/support. Follow the birthing person's lead.
Avoid The Bed - Laying down is uncomfortable during labor. Being on your feet and having freedom to move feels better. If you don't want to stand, try using the birth ball or the rocking chair. If you're able, take a walk around the hospital floor.
Keep Moving - Sway, dance, walk. People in labor like rhythm and repetition.
Make Some Noise - Sing, hum, loan groans - keep your voice low and deep (high pitched sounds are fear based). Support people can model this and the birthing person will follow.
Counter Pressure - People in labor generally like counter pressure on their lower back/sacrum area. This is the area at the very base of the spine.
Cool Rag - Wet a washrag with cold water. Use this to wipe the laboring person's face, back of neck, and apply to forehead.
Use The Water - Water (hydrotherapy) is an excellent comfort measure.
- Shower - Remove the shower head and hold it on the contracting belly or on the lower back. Laboring person can lean on handrail, sit on the birth ball in the shower, or even get on hands and knees.
- Tub - Fill the tub with warm water. Turn the lights down. Some people like the whirlpool jets while others find the jets too loud. You choose. Towels can be folded to use as a pillow in the tub, or as a softer surface for knees and bottoms. Remember, you can get into a variety of positions in the tub such as hands and knees.
Control The Shakes - It is normal to shake just before birth. A warm blanket can help, as does a hug. Wrap the blanket over the back of the shoulders so birthing person can hold on to it. This helps with shaking.
Vomiting Is Normal - It is normal to vomit just before birth. Keep a container nearby. Offer a sip of water/juice afterwards and wipe face with cool rag. Sometimes mouthwash or a mint afterwards is helpful.
Comfort Measures For Pushing
Upright Position - Avoid laying flat on your back. Ask your nurse to help position the bed so that you can have a more upright position (the back of the bed raises up, the foot of the bed can drop, and together this can create a "throne" to sit in). Hands & knees is also comfortable.
Spontaneous Pushing - Pushing is most effective when you allow your body to push on its own. Your thinking brain does not have to control your pushing. Nor do your labor support team. Your body will do this without any assistance. Think of the way a sneeze works - it just works. When the baby gets low enough, you won't be able to control the urge to push. Just let it happen.
Encouragement - Pushing can sometimes be a slow process. This is because your body and your baby's head need time to navigate through the tissue of the perineum. This is normal. Don't be discouraged. Support person should remind the birthing person this is the way the body was meant to birth the baby. Small increments of progress.
Sips Of Water Or Ice Chips - Provide the birthing person with a sip of water/juice or ice chips in between pushing. Establish a routine so that after each round of pushing, they can expect a sip or ice. Routine is appreciated.
Cool Wash Rag - After offering a sip of water/juice/ice chips, wipe the birthing person's face with a cold wash rag. After wiping, a cool rag laid across the back of the neck usually feels good.
Maintain A Peaceful Environment - Pushing can seem like a time to get loud and cheer on. In the movies we see support people yelling and counting. This is stressful. Keep the environment peaceful, quiet, and remind the birthing person how well they are doing. DO NOT COUNT.
Spontaneous Pushing - Pushing is most effective when you allow your body to push on its own. Your thinking brain does not have to control your pushing. Nor do your labor support team. Your body will do this without any assistance. Think of the way a sneeze works - it just works. When the baby gets low enough, you won't be able to control the urge to push. Just let it happen.
Encouragement - Pushing can sometimes be a slow process. This is because your body and your baby's head need time to navigate through the tissue of the perineum. This is normal. Don't be discouraged. Support person should remind the birthing person this is the way the body was meant to birth the baby. Small increments of progress.
Sips Of Water Or Ice Chips - Provide the birthing person with a sip of water/juice or ice chips in between pushing. Establish a routine so that after each round of pushing, they can expect a sip or ice. Routine is appreciated.
Cool Wash Rag - After offering a sip of water/juice/ice chips, wipe the birthing person's face with a cold wash rag. After wiping, a cool rag laid across the back of the neck usually feels good.
Maintain A Peaceful Environment - Pushing can seem like a time to get loud and cheer on. In the movies we see support people yelling and counting. This is stressful. Keep the environment peaceful, quiet, and remind the birthing person how well they are doing. DO NOT COUNT.
Comfort Measures For Immediate Postpartum
Keep Baby Skin-to-Skin - Your baby should lay directly on your skin. It is the best, safest place for your baby and for you. Enjoy your baby.
Sips Of Water/Juice/Ice Chips - Offer sips of water/juice/ice chips.
Fix Hair - If the birthing person has hair in their face, use this time to brush hair/re-do the pony tail or fix the headband. (This is for comfort as well as for pictures).
Control The Shakes - It is normal to shake after birth. A warm blanket can help, as does a hug. Wrap the blanket over the back of the shoulders so birthing person can hold on to it. This helps with shaking.
Enjoy The Golden Hour (or Two) - Delay your phone calls and texts. This is a special and important time for mother and baby. Protect this moment and enjoy. Ask for breastfeeding help if baby is having trouble latching on.
Sips Of Water/Juice/Ice Chips - Offer sips of water/juice/ice chips.
Fix Hair - If the birthing person has hair in their face, use this time to brush hair/re-do the pony tail or fix the headband. (This is for comfort as well as for pictures).
Control The Shakes - It is normal to shake after birth. A warm blanket can help, as does a hug. Wrap the blanket over the back of the shoulders so birthing person can hold on to it. This helps with shaking.
Enjoy The Golden Hour (or Two) - Delay your phone calls and texts. This is a special and important time for mother and baby. Protect this moment and enjoy. Ask for breastfeeding help if baby is having trouble latching on.