Supporting Someone in Labour

Labour and birth is a very complex process that involves the whole person, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. When supporting a labouring person, they will need support in all these areas. Continuous labour support has been shown to reduce stress, fear, and anxiety.³ It has also been shown to decrease labour interventions.^{3 4} Penny Simkin provides excellent advice about how to support someone in labour in her book: The Birth Partner. The following are some suggestions:

• have an understanding of the emotional side of labour.

• have knowledge of comfort measures and when to use them.

• have flexibility to adapt to their changing needs during labour.
• use a code word¹ to ensure the way they wish to work with their pain is respected.

To learn more about what labour support options there are, go to our Labour Support Options webpage. The following are some specific ways to support them through the different stages and possible challenges of labour:

• Early labour
• Active labour
• When labour is long or slow
• When hyperventilating, dizzy or lightheaded
• The take charge routine
• Take care of yourself

Early labour:

• Support them with their normal activities during the day and to rest at night.
• Encourage them to eat and drink to their appetite and thirst.
• Encourage distracting activities, such as reading, listening to music, or playing cards.
• Suggest a shower.

• Give them a massage.

• Help them practice breath awareness and other relaxation techniques.
• Remain with them and match their mood.

Active labour:

• Give them your undivided attention and continue to match their mood.
• Help them to use a focal point.

• Breathe with them. Match their rate of breathing.
• Use comfort measures and encourage the 3 Rs (Relaxation, Rhythm and Ritual)

• Use dim lighting.

• Stroke a tense part of their body, encouraging them to relax it.

• Help them change their position.

• Support them as they walk around.

• Take a shower with them.

• Remind them to empty their bladder.

• Massage their abdomen, thighs, lower back, and feet. Do effleurage (gentle fingertip massage over their abdomen).

• Offer lip balm and sips of fluids between contractions.

• Encourage them to shake their hands out to release the tension.

• If they are hot, put a cool cloth on their face and neck. Fan them.

• If they are chilled, cover them with a warm blanket.

When labour is long or slow:

• Help them to visualize their cervix opening and the baby coming down.
• Use specific comfort measures for back pain

• Encourage changes of position, walking, stairs or taking a bath or shower.

• Encourage them to use upright positions to allow gravity to assist.

• Offer them a massage.

• Stay positive, offering praise, support, and encouragement.
• See more information on our How to Have the Best Birth for You webpage.

When hyperventilating, dizzy or lightheaded:

• Encourage them to match your rate of breathing and set a slow pace and shallow depth.

• Encourage them to breathe into a paper bag or cupped hands.

• Encourage relaxation through massage.

The Take Charge Routine^{1 (p.166-170)}

Each person responds in their own way to the stress and pain of labour. At times the intensity of labour may become completely overwhelming and it is helpful for you to step in and “take charge” until they can regain their coping rhythm and ritual again. It entails that you move in close, be firm, confident and kind and encourage them to open their eyes and look at you and breathe with you. Help them pace their breathing with your breath, head, or hand. Talk with them soothingly in rhythm. Remind them of their goal, the baby. Consider pain medication. This depends on:

• How strongly did they want to avoid medication before labour?

• Are they asking for medication or just more support?

• How many more centimeters of dilation do they have to go?

• Are they responding better when you “take charge”?

• How easily can they be persuaded not to take the medication?

Try to respect their birth plan but be willing to change the plan if needed. Remember the code word¹ you decided on together and support their decision to change their plan.

Finally, take care of yourself:

• Wear layers of clothing. Hospitals are warm.

• Bring snacks for yourself.

• Relax between contractions.

• Don’t take rejection personally.

• Try not to be intimidated by hospital equipment.

• Ask questions of the caregivers if you do not understand.

• Ask your nurse, doula, or midwife for suggestions or support if needed.