Quick but Powerful Tips for Labor

My best piece of advice for labor... Education without expectations. Learn as much as you can. Understand what's really happening and what CAN happen. But know you can control very little.

Understand your body was made for this. As Bridget Teyler says, you were built to birth. Knowledge is power.

Learn about the structure of the pelvis and why/how movements can help baby descend. This came in handy when I decided to try pushing with my knees together because my bones were getting in the way. That slight position change allowed the bones to move out of the way and baby's head was able to come through.

REST and really take advantage of those breaks between contractions. Look at that face in the picture (the epidural sure helped with this!). Close your eyes and breathe slow. Loosen all of your muscles. Tensing up works AGAINST what you are trying to do, which is allow a baby to descend.

During each contraction remember that they will end. In just a minute as well as completely once baby/placenta is out. If you aren't in the pushing stage I would suggest to try to keep your body as loose as possible during the contraction too. Again, your body is trying to lower this baby down into the narrow canal. If you tense up your muscles it makes it that much harder. Try to especially keep a loose jaw. For some weird reason the jaw and pelvic floor seem to be connected. Along the same lines, let that noise out and try for low tones. High pitched and tense is counterproductive. Remember: loose and low.

Understand that you are in charge and have the power to say no to anything you want. I would suggest absolutely taking the medical professionals advice very seriously as they usually know very well what they are doing. But this is YOUR birth. Listen to your gut and what you and your body needs. If you don't want to do something, you don't have to.