All about your labour

Make sure your birth partner supports you during labour

You can have a home birth if you prefer

Dealing with labour pains

• Get wet. Being submerged in water provides excellent pain relief.
• Feel the pulse. A TENS machine transmits gentle electrical pulses through your skin via self-adhesive pads, to help your body release natural painkilling endorphins.
• Try hypnotherapy. Learn relaxation, breathing and visualisation techniques to reduce fear, tension and pain.
• Take a deep breath. It’s difficult to tense up when you breathe out, so focus on a long outward breath with your contractions.
• Use massage. This can be relaxing and help your body to release the hormone oxytocin, which keeps the contractions coming.

Preparing yourself for the birth

• Try pregnancy yoga to learn about birth posture and get relaxation tips.
• Get your partner to massage your back and shoulders so you can let him know what you like and what you don’t.
• Pelvic floor exercises will give you an awareness of the muscles you’ll be using to control the birth of your baby.
• Practice breathing techniques doing something uncomfortable. Try it while clutching ice wrapped in a towel.
• Increase your stamina for labour by keeping fit – even a short daily walk will help.

Ways to help you have a natural birth

• Consider a homebirth. You may feel more in control in a familiar, relaxed environment.
• Use a birthing pool, as the warm water will help you to relax.
• One-to-one support can reduce the likelihood of a c-section, so think about asking your mum to be there.
• Keep moving or stay upright during labour and tell your birth partner in advance to encourage you to be active.
• Attend antenatal classes so you’re well informed and can make your own choices in labour.

Ways to help you have a shorter labour

• Keep off the bed. Standing or kneeling while in labour encourages your baby to move down the birth canal and puts more pressure on your cervix, encouraging it to open.
• Avoid an epidural if possible. An epidural can slow down labour.
• Move it mama. Don’t just sit back and wait for your baby to appear – keeping mobile in labour can encourage him to move through the pelvis.
• Boost energy. Keep energised by snacking on carb-rich snacks and drinking juice.
• Pace yourself. If you get too tired, labour can start to slow down.

Boost your energy during labour

• Pace yourself. Don’t leap out of bed at 3am as soon as mild contractions begin. While you can still sleep, do.
• Eat. Your body needs energy to work effectively, so make time to eat, even if all you have is a slice of toast with some jam on it.
• Drink. Get in a couple of bottles of high-energy drinks for when you’re tired or you’ve lost your appetite.
• Bath. Warm water allows you and your muscles to relax. It also helps you to rest between contractions during labour, so consider using a birthing pool.
• Relax. Try to learn some visualisation or breathing exercises so you’re not burning nervous energy.

Extra hospital bag treats for you

• Sweeties. Whatever you fancy – the aim’s to keep your mouth moist.
• Hairband. The thick cotton kind you wear to put on make-up or when exercising. Great for absorbing sweat.
• Playlists. Compiling your fave tunes beforehand on your MP3 player will make for easy listening during labour.
• Magazines. To take your mind off things if labour’s slow.
• Socks. Believe it or not, your feet can get cold during labour.
• MP3 player with headphones. Helps to distract you from the contractions and other noises around you.
• Small fleecy blanket. Some women labour on all fours with a blanket providing a tent over them.
• Sports drinks. High in energy, they help to prevent exhaustion.
• A mirror. No, no, not for reapplying lipstick, but to let you to see your baby’s head emerge as you give birth.