4 Delivery Tips You Should Know

An analogy that is often used is “would you run a marathon without preparing for it?” We should take the same degree of care with childbirth - a bit of prep can go a long ways. Things don’t always go as planned, regardless, it’s helpful to have a plan and practice before-hand, and that what we’re here for.

4 Tips You Should Know Before Labour and Delivery:

1. YOUR PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES (AKA YOUR “BABY DOOR MUSCLES”)

   • Your babe will be passing through these muscles during delivery and you want to ensure these muscles are working with you and not against you during delivery.

   • Learning how to contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles, and connecting these movements with your breath is VERY important during labour and delivery.

   • Working with a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist can help you to prepare you for this process!
     

2. DELIVERY POSITIONS:

   • Did you know you don’t have to delivery on your back, there are options!

   • There is little evidence on any one position being the “best.” Keep in mind delivery positions are difficult to measure from a research perspective because it’s unlikely one position will be maintained throughout the labour and delivery process.

   • According to a report published in 2019 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

     • When comparing upright positioning (including: walking, sitting, standing, and kneeling), ambulation, or both, with recumbent, lateral, or supine positions during the 1st stage of labour: upright positions shorten the duration of the 1st stage of labour by approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes (mean difference) and this mean difference exceeds the effect of amniotomy with oxytocin.

     • Upright positions decrease the chance of C-section.

     • During the 2nd stage of labour, upright positions were associated with a reduction in episiotomies (read more about how to decrease the risk of tearing.)

     • Upright positions were also associated with an increase in estimated blood loss.

     • Frequent positions changes during labour can enhance your comfort.

   • From a pelvic floor muscles perspective, increasing the width of the birthing outlet can be beneficial for delivery - speak with your Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist about what this could look like for you and practice the positions.
     

3. PAIN MANAGEMENT

   • Multiple non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic techniques can be used to cope with labour pain

   • Non-pharmacologic methods can include:

     • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS machine).

     • Acupuncture.

     • Intradermal sterile water injections.

     • Massage.

     • Aromatherapy.

     • Audioanalgesia.

     • Any other relaxation technique.

4. PERINEAL MASSAGE

   • This is discussed in a previous blog post, you can find it here!

A few more reminders:

• Having one-on-one emotional support, such as a Doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labour.

• You are stronger than you think, choose to trust your body, labour is a purposeful pain - mentally interpreting it in this way makes a difference, and breathe!

*The ACOG Committee Opinion reviews the evidence for labour care practices that facilitate a physiologic labour process and minimize intervention for appropriate women who are in spontaneous labour at term.