Massage idea
This is often one of the most requested and simplest place to begin massage during labor.
What is lower back?
Six to twelve hours
How long do many people spend at home before going to the hospital or birthplace?
This is one reason a mother might be told to come to the hospital sooner than waiting for a certain contraction pattern
What is ruptured membranes
This type of medication is commonly given through an IV or injection and can reduce perception of pain and help mother relax but does not take away the pain altogether
What is an analgesic?
Someone who comes to the birth to watch like a spectator
Who should I not invite to be with us in birth, even if they will be offended?
Technique that is both distracting and increases oxytocin
What is hand massage?
In early labor, this ordinary activity can help someone stay relaxed, fed, hydrated, and distracted rather than staring at the clock.
What is normal life—eating, drinking, resting, showering, watching TV, visiting, or doing light activities?
This contraction pattern is commonly used as a guideline for when a woman in established labor should consider heading to the hospital—but it is not a universal rule.
5-1-1, Contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting for a minute, for at least an hour
Nitrous Oxide
What is a gas that mom can administer during a contraction to help diminish her tension, but not take away the pain of the contraction?
Between 2 and 20 depending on your need and their helpfulness.
How many people should I have at my birth?
When giving massage during labor, this matters more than having a fancy technique.
What is asking the laboring person what feels good and adjusting to their response?
This is one reason a doula might encourage a laboring person to change activities rather than spend hours focusing on every contraction.
What is helping them stay comfortable, relaxed, and mentally engaged?
If the family lives a long distance from the hospital, this factor may mean leaving earlier than the usual contraction guideline.
What is travel time/distance?
This type of pain relief uses medication near the spinal nerves and can provide significant pain relief while the person remains awake.
What is regional anesthesia, such as an epidural?
This trained/certified person's role is to provide continuous nonmedical physical, emotional, and informational support during labor.
Who is a birth doula?
Hands positioned in the outside upper pelvis area with hands steadily pushing toward each other
What is the double hip squeeze?
If a client can still laugh, talk, eat, shower, or watch a movie between contractions, this may tell you something about where they are in labor—but it does NOT give you a crystal ball.
What is that they may still be in earlier labor, while recognizing that every labor is different?
These situations may mean calling the provider or going to the hospital without waiting for contractions to become regular.
What are heavy bleeding, decreased fetal movement, or other urgent symptoms?
Parents should ask about the potential effects of a pain medication on both the parent and this other patient.
Who is the baby?
A doula's job is not to replace this important person in the family's support system.
Who is the father/partner?
Your massage technique is beautiful, technically correct, and completely unwanted. What makes it the wrong technique?
What is the person doesn't want it?
Your client's contractions are irregular, they're tired, and they keep asking, “Should we go yet?” One of your most useful tools may be this rather than another contraction timer.
What is helping them assess the whole picture and follow their provider's guidance?
This is why there isn't one "magic number" of minutes between contractions that works for every laboring person.
What is every labor and every family is different?
When considering any medication during labor, these five things can help parents ask informed questions before deciding.
What is BRAIN—Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition/what do I feel, and Nothing/Not now/Need more information?
During a stressful moment, this support person may need reassurance and guidance too—not just the laboring mother.
Who is the father/partner/support person?