The Beauty of Physical Comfort: How Touch and Movement Fosters Strength in Labor
- Courtney
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Imagine yourself getting out of your car after a long day at work. As you walk to your door, you can't help but feel heavy. You're brain is tired, the knot in your shoulder is spasming, and your hips and lower back are sore and tight. You walk through your door and sit on your sofa. The soft seating underneath you invites your body to take a breathe and then melt into it. Your partner comes behind you and settles their hands on your shoulders and begin to massage that spot that has been bugging you since after lunch........ Just putting yourself in that scenario, can you feel your body start to release and settle?
Physical comfort techniques are very powerful tool that you use in everyday life that thinking about it can already create a sense of peace and relaxation. We have this great relaxation tool to help with stress, discomfort, and overall wellbeing. How can this be applied to labor? In many fantastic ways.
Let us discuss why physical comfort techniques help.
They are easy to use which means anyone can use them.
It helps bring in oxygen to your muscles (pssst, muscles work better when oxygenated)
Tension in your body can be released which allows better movement
Settling into your body and moving have show to help decrease the time that you are in labor
These can help create a sense of control because you are able to do something to help yourself.
These are things your partner/ support people can help with, giving them the ability to help you and be apart of the process.
If these kind of physical comforts can help this much, what exactly can we do to apply this? Well, my friend, another beautiful thing about these techniques; there are many ways to apply this to birth. This means you have options. Some Examples are:
Trying different positons throughout labor
Have partners/support people applied accupressure or counterpressure
Practice Massage or even reassuring touch
Use tools like a labor ball, stool, or peanut Ball
Labor in a shower or tub
For some, heating pads or cold packs are a must
Now that we know how these comfort techniques help in labor and what are some things we can apply to birth, how do we prepare to use these tools. Say it with me. Practice, Practice, Practice! These techniques are amazing but you are also training your brain to work with these manuevers and relax into them. If you wait until you are in labor to try a new comfort measure it probably will not work as well. P.S. even if you are planning for a medicated birth, practice comfort techniques will help you until you are ready for medication (or if you are having to wait).
Some ideas to try out: setting some time aside in the evening with your support people to work on massage and counterpressure (you may try
massaging or counterpressure on them to show them what type of touch you like), using heat or cold to help with aches and pains (muscles get used to relaxing with temperature and it makes you feel more comfy in pregnancy), work on labor ball movements and positions, especially when having braxton hicks contractions towards the end of your labor (also add in some breathing patterns as well).
Physical comfort is something we apply in our everyday life. This is also a great first place to start when it comes to finding ways to help ourselves in labor. These can be very empowering and a way we can feel like we are a part of our birth versus feeling like birth is happening to us. Remember, this is your birth experience and you have the right to help yourself.
Love,
Courtney
If you would like help with figuring out what movements can help you in pregnancy, labor and recovery after birth, check out our Aligned at Birth sessions.
If you would like to reconnect with your body through soothing massage and touch, check out Louisville Prenatal Massage.
*This is not medical advice and does not replace the expertise of a Medical Provider. Discuss with your doctor about what is appropriate for your care *
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