Signs & Stages
This is the first sign of early labor for many people, though it doesn’t always mean birth is starting right away.
What are mild, irregular contractions?
This option allows you to stay mobile while your baby’s heart rate is monitored.
What is wireless or fetal monitoring?
This position uses gravity to encourage baby’s descent while allowing pelvic mobility.
What is upright standing or walking?
This is the most important thing a birth partner can offer, even if they can’t “fix” the pain.
What is emotional support and reassurance?
This breathing technique is outlined in HypnoBirthing for the birthing phase instead of “pushing.”
What is "J" Breathing or "Down" Breathing?
This stage of labor ends when you are about 6 cm dilated and contractions become stronger and closer together.
What is Early Labor?
This hands-on technique uses steady pressure or kneading to relieve muscle tension and back pain during contractions.
What is massage and counterpressure?
This position can help slow a too-rapid birth and allow tissues to stretch gradually.
What is lying on your side?
Keeping the birth environment calm and protected often means adjusting these three things.
What are lights, sounds, and who is in the room?
HypnoBirthing teaches that relaxation of the mind leads to relaxation of the body, helping these muscles work more efficiently.
What are the uterine muscles?
Name two possible signs that your body is shifting from early labor into active labor.
What are stronger/longer/more regular contractions, and increased need for focus or withdrawal into yourself?
Changing positions every 30–60 minutes during labor supports this.
What is optimal fetal positioning? (aka: "helping the baby rotate and descend optimally")
This position can relieve back labor and encourage a baby in posterior position to rotate.
What is the all-fours position?
A partner can use this technique—applying firm, steady pressure to the lower back—to help with back labor.
What is counterpressure?
By focusing on positive images and affirmations, HypnoBirthing parents reduce this, allowing the body to produce more oxytocin.
What is fear or stress?
This term describes the pinkish tinged mucus that can appear as the cervix begins to soften and open.
What is "bloody show"?
Research shows that using this comfort measure after 6 cm dilation can shorten labor and reduce the need for pain medication.
What is hydrotherapy?
Changing positions this often during active labor can optimize fetal positioning and progress.
What is every 30–60 minutes?
When medical staff suggest a change in the birth plan, partners can use this 4-letter acronym to guide decision-making.
What is B.R.A.I.N. (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing or Need Time)?
This HypnoBirthing breathing technique is used between surges to conserve energy and encourage calm.
What is calm breathing?
TACO — Time, Amount, Color, and Odor — describes this aspect of active labor.
What is "water breaking"?
This upright position during contractions can open the pelvis by up to 30%, encouraging progress and easing discomfort.
What is a squat?
When a baby is in this position—back of the head toward the mother’s back—hands-and-knees, lunges, and pelvic tilts may help rotation.
What is occiput posterior (OP) position?
To stay present and supportive during labor, birth partners should remember to do this.
What is eat, drink, and take short breaks when needed?
This is the term HypnoBirthing uses for a calm, focused state that helps reduce fear and tension during birth.
What is self-hypnosis?