MOONDRAGON'S ARTICLES



LABOR SUPPORT TECHNIQUES

Compiled By Andrea Eastman, MA, CCE, IBCLC
©1997-2000



EFFECTIVE LABOR SUPPORT
(Jones, 1987)

  • Be there and share the experience.

  • Guide her through imagery.

  • Be aware of signs of tension.

  • Massage her.

  • Blanket her with love.

  • Bear in mind that labor is a sexual event.

  • Ask for feedback (between contractions).

  • Encourage her to surrender.

  • Encourage her to express herself freely.

  • Do not insist that she breathe a certain way (unless she finds it helpful).

  • Forget the clock.

  • Help her take a warm shower or bath.

  • Apply facecloths soaked in very warm water (or rice socks) to the area of discomfort.

  • If she panics - have her lower her voice and groan, have her breathe with you to calm her down.

  • Be with her if she has a cesarean.
    •



    TECHNIQUES FOR PRE-LABOR
    (Simkin, 1989)

  • Realize that a long pre-labor is not a medical problem in itself.

  • Recognize pre-labor for what it is.

  • Check with your birth attendant for advice and reassurance.

  • Try distracting activities during the day.

  • Help her rest or sleep at night, or nap during the day.

  • Suggest a bath, or a long shower.

  • Give her a massage to help her relax.

  • SLEEP or at least rest!!!!!

  • Try things to help stimulate labor.
    •



    TECHNIQUES FOR EARLY FIRST STAGE LABOR
    (Simkin, 1989)

  • Remain close by.

  • Time the contractions.

  • Help her pass the time with pleasant and distracting activities.

  • Discuss whether you should leave for work.
    • Are you readily accessible?

    • How far do you have to travel?

  • When she becomes preoccupied with contractions:
    • Continue to time them.

    • Give her your undivided attention throughout each contraction.

    • watch her during contractions and help her relax.



    TECHNIQUES FOR ACTIVE LABOR
    (Simkin, 1989)

  • Be sure the staff is aware of your birth plan.

  • Follow her lead.

  • Give her your undivided attention.

  • Develop "rituals" of comforting actions, to be repeated during every contraction.
    •



    LABOR SUPPORT TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSITION
    (Simkin, 1989)

  • Stay calm.

  • Your touch should be firm and consistent.

  • Your voice should remain calm and encouraging.

  • Stay close to her with your face near hers.


    • TAKE CHARGE ROUTINE

  • Remain calm.

  • Stay close.

  • Anchor her - hold her tightly.

  • Make eye contact.

  • Change the way you handle contractions.

  • Encourage her every breath.

  • Talk to her between contractions.

  • Repeat yourself.

  • Do not give up.

  • Ask for help and reassurance from someone else.


    • MORE TRANSITION LABOR TIPS

  • Remind her about the baby.

  • Remind her that this difficult phase (transition) is short, and that she is almost at the birthing stage.

  • Remind her that it is normal for transition to be difficult, and that her mood will improve when her cervix is fully dilated.

  • Be sure the birth attendant know if she has an urge to push.

  • Help her avoid pushing if she is not dilated fully.

  • Movement and position changes.

  • Counterpressure.

  • Bath or shower.

  • Heat or cold.

  • Touch or massage.

  • Relaxation.
    •



    LABOR SUPPORT - SECOND STAGE (PUSHING PHASE)
    (Simkin, 1989)

  • Be patient during the resting phase.

  • Ask the birth attendant to wait for the pushing urge to come.

  • Match the mother's mood.

  • Stay close to the mother, where she can see, feel, and hear you.

  • Compliment her on how well she is doing with each contraction.

  • Stay calm.

  • Remind her to relax her perineum - let go, open up, down and out - her anus will bulge if the perineum is relaxed, if she is tense it will remain tight.

  • Remind her the baby is almost here.

  • Suggest different positions if the progress is slow.

  • Remind her to listen to her body.

  • Remind her to look in a mirror and touch the baby's head.

  • Do not get so caught up in the birth that you forget about the mother.

  • Cut the cord if you want to.

  • Enjoy the baby and encourage the mother to do the same.

  • Make sure the baby stays warm on Mom's chest.

  • Hold the baby, and ENJOY!
    •



    READING MATERIAL

    These ideas are from the following excellent books:

    Mind Over Labor
    -- by Carl Jones, New York: Viking/Penguin, 1986

    The Birth Partner:
    Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth
    -- by Penny Simkin, P.T., Harvard and Boston, MA: The Harvard Common Press, 1989.

    Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide
    -- by Penny Simkin, P.T., NY: Meadowbrook Press, 1991.



    RELATED LINKS

    MoonDragon's Articles Index

    MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information & Survival Tips

    MoonDragon's Pregnancy & Birth Index



    For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:





    HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION

  • Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
    -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition

  • Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
    -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition

  • Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
    -- by Phyllis A. Balch

  • The Complete Guide to Natural Healing



    If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons.

    Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.





    HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES

    MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Manufacturers & Distributors

    Mountain Rose Herbs. A Herbs, Health and Harmony Company. Since 1987


    Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs A
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs B
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs C
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs D
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs E
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs F
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs G
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs H
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs I
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs J
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs K
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs L
    		 Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs M
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs N
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs O
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs P
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs R
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs S
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs T
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs U
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs V
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs W
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs Y


    Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners
    Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits

    Mountain Rose Herbs.com: Order Online
    Accessories & Tools
    Aromatherapy
    Aroma Sprays and Flower Waters
    Babies/Children
    Body and Bath
    Bottles, Jars & Containers
    Bulk Herbs
    Bulk Ingredients
    Bulk Oils
    Butters
    Capsules
    Clays
    Dental Care
    Essential Oils
         		Facial Care
    Green & Black Teas
    Hair Care
    Herbal Extracts
    Herbal Oils
    Herbal Salves & Balms
    Herbal Teas
    Herbs for Pets
    Incense, Resins and Candles
    Lotions
    Massage Oils
    Medicinal Herb Seeds
    Tea Brewing Supplies
    Women's Products






    Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page
    A Source For Medicinal & Ritual Herbs & Supplies
    Aphrodisiacs
    Aromatherapy
    Bath & Body Care
    Bulk Herbs By The Pound
    Capsules, Tablets & Extracts
    Chinese Herbals
    Electronics
    Extracts
    First Aid Products
    Food Products, Mixes, Seeds, Snacks & More!
    Hair Care Products & Supplies
    Herbs & Oils, Kilo & Ton
    Hydroponics & Gardening
    Kava Products
    Kitchen & Housewares
    Mushrooms
    Musical Instruments
    Oral Care & Dental Products
    PC & IT - Computer Supplies & Assessories
    Skin Care, Cosmetics, & Gift Sets
    Smokes, Seeds, Cacti
    Spices, Salts, Sweeteners, & Seasonings
    Sports, Toys & Games
    Sweets, Candy, Chips & Snacks
    Stimulants
    Sedatives
    Teas & Coffees

    Shaman Shop Home Page


    Herbs, Foods, Gardening & More!






    MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

    MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

    MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index

    MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy Index

    MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Index

    MoonDragon's Aromatherapy Information Index

    MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index

    MoonDragon's ObGyn Information Index by Subject Order

    MoonDragon's ObGyn Information Index by Alphabetical Order

    MoonDragon's Main Indexlisting

    MoonDragon's Home Page