top of page
Search
    • Apr 30, 2022
    • 16 min read

Labor Positions + Comfort Measures

Updated: Apr 30, 2022

Comfort isn’t the same for everyone, so that’s why as I doula, I come prepared with a plethora (like the word didn't you!) of comfort measures to help keep my clients relaxed and engaged during their birthing experience. In this blog I will cover a few of my favorites, but this isn’t my whole list, just a few easy peasy ones I know most folks will be able to do.




We will learn:

Feel free to click on the titles above to jump ahead and skip to the section you need!

Hi, I’m Charda, a Black mom, doula, childbirth educator, prenatal/postnatal yoga instructor and lactation consultant in San Diego, California. I love teaching families how to have a more healthy and positive pregnancy, birth, parenting & breastfeeding experience! My focus is on empowering Black moms, babies and families to be resilient, informed and protected on their life journey.


What are comfort measures?

Comfort measures provide direct or indirect pain relief which can be very effective during labor and birth. Methods such as hydrotherapy, hypnobirthing, patterned breathing, relaxation, and visualization can increase the production of endogenous endorphins that bind to receptors in the brain for pain relief. Try to create a warming, private and peaceful environment for your birth to remain calm and present during this amazing experience. You can increase your own comfort by walking, slow dancing and rocking your pelvis, using pillows to position for comfort as well as sitting or swaying on a birth ball and lifting the abdomen gently and rocking while supporting the belly. These are all proven to provide some level for comfort and relief during the process of birthing. Let’s dive in deeper!


Water Therapy:

We immediately think of a birthing pool, and home birth or birth center but that’s not the only way you can use water as a form of hydrotherapy for pain relief. Having a bath, shower or warm water on parts of your body can provide the same desired effect. If you are at home this will be easier, some birth locations like UCSD Jacobs medical center in La Jolla, CA will allow you to use the tub for comfort measure relief but you will not be allowed to give birth in that tub. The tub itself however is there for your comfort during your trial of labor so try it! The water should not be warmer than your body temperature, ask a trusted member of your care team to help you get the water ready and get in to relax!


  • Reduces stress which allows your body to release more oxytocin

  • Decrease pressure on your abdominal muscles

  • Reduced need for an epidural

  • Shortens duration of labor

  • Lowers your blood pressure

  • Relaxes perineal tissues which prevents risk of tearing

  • Decreases risks of interventions and increases your relaxation


Hot + Cold Therapy:

Focuses on using different tools that can be heated or cold to be used throughout all stages of labor to provide relief and soothe back pain by decreasing the level of sensation felt.


Heat


Cold

  • Store bought cold packs

  • Wrap frozen items in a thin towel or paper towel or bag

  • Cold or damp washcloth soaked and squeezed in ice cold water



Birthing Ball

Studies have shown that use of a birth ball can help with relief of uncomfortable sensations during labor, which gives us a sense of control over our body’s pressure, balance and coordination at a time when some of us birth givers may feel super out of control or out of body.


Birth Ball

  • Bounce gently on the edge of the ball

  • Place ball on a surface like floor or hospital bed and lean over the ball

  • Rock pelvis back and forth on ball

  • Lean over your front half while on the ball


Peanut Ball

  • Can use for pushing phase of labor

  • Use it if you have an epidural

  • Use it for KICO positions (Knees In Calves Out)

  • Mermaid pose (flying cowgirl)



Twerk it out!