Things I Say to My Clients When They're in Labor

These are the things I find myself saying the most to my birth doula clients across the board when they are in labor.

Some words just work in [almost] every birth!

“Slow, steady breathing”

Sometimes women’s breath gets ahead of them or gets a little ragged, and they need a little reminder to slow it down. And sometimes this is a reminder for them to not hold their breath if they are bracing against their contractions.

“Let’s try another position”

Women in labor can get really locked into one position. Sometimes trying a new position can shift her body and baby in the right direction, break up the vibe in the room, or allow for easier counter pressure and massage.

This of course also applies for women with an epidural! There are so many beneficial positions that a woman with an epidural can use. She just needs a little help getting into those positions!

I NEVER make my clients get into different positions, I offer options and we go with what they agree to, what they think will feel okay in their bodies.

“You can say no to that or wait a bit longer before saying yes. Totally up to you”

I never tell my clients what to choose or what to do, but I do remind them that they can say NO or I WANT TO WAIT to many things suggested or offered to them by the nurses / provider. It’s their body!

“Here’s your water”

I don’t wait for her to tell me she needs a drink (she almost certainly does). I offer the water or ice chips by bringing them close to her face and letting her decide if she wants it. She doesn’t have to ask, she doesn’t have to do much more than open her mouth.

Hydration is so important through labor. And with all that deep breathing (inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth) her mouth can get dry.

“Let’s try to go to the bathroom”

Something women can forget to do when labor gets more intense…PEE. And keeping the bladder empty makes more room for her baby to descend into the pelvis.

This also gets them moving a bit and onto the dilation station (the toilet), which offers a different position and allows the pelvic floor to release.

And if we are waiting on that epidural this is a great way to get a last bit of out-of-bed movement before that is no longer an option.