Early Labor
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Early labor is the first and usually longest part of labor. It can last a few hours up to a day or longer. It is the time in labor where the cervix dilates from 0-5cm.
The best thing to do in early labor is to relax as much as possible. It may go on for a long time and you want to conserve your energy for the work of active labor. Sleep, food and hydration are all important in early labor. Massage can help your body and mind to relax. |
Early Labor Massage Techniques include:
- Back massage - long firm soothing strokes
- Full body massage - concentrate on relaxing rather than working out knots unless the birthing person specifically wants that
- Foot massage
- Hand massage
- Pressure points
Active Labor
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Active labor is the time in labor where the cervix dilates from 6-7cm.
It is characterized by intense contractions lasting a minute or longer that are usually between 2 and 5 minutes apart. The birthing person is very focussed on the contractions when they are happening and is no longer smiling or talking through contractions. They may be making sounds or breathing hard through each contraction. Massage techniques in this stage of labor are often focussed on sustained pressure during a contraction switching to relaxation massage / muscle relief between contractions. |
Active Labor Massage Techniques include:
- Back massage - long firm soothing strokes
- Pressure along the spine
- Sacral pressure
- Pelvic pressure - holding the pelvis
- Pressure points
- Neck massage
- Upper arm squeezing
- Arm and hand massage - be aware of the heplock. Avoid that part of the arm
- Gluteal massage with your fist
- Thighs and / or leg massage
- Rubbing the space between the eyes with your thumb
- Temples
- Light head massage
Transition
Transition is the time when the cervix dilates from 8 - 10cm. For most people, this is the most intense part of labor and often also the shortest part. In the transition phase, people need very focused attention from their support people. They may feel hot one minute and cold the next, feel "out of control" and almost everyone will say at that point that they can no longer continue. Continue doing whatever massage techniques have been helpful in active labor unless the birthing person tells you to stop. It is very common in this stage for touch to be unwelcome but instead for a more "take charge" approach to work in terms of support.
Pushing
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Between contractions in the pushing stage, the following massage techniques can be helpful:
Offer water / drinks and cold washcloths on the forehead / neck / chest |
Special Considerations
Epidurals: Most people are not looking for massage after an epidural. The birthing person will be quite numb from the top of the belly down. However it is common for there to be a part that gets some breakthrough pain. If the birthing person complains of pain that the epidural is not relieving, massage of that area or sustained pressure if it's along the back can help to relieve this. When offering upper back massage, be careful to avoid the taped areas.
Heplock / IV - Avoid massaging close to the heplock so you do not dislodge it.
TENS Unit - It's fine to massage around a TENS unit. Just be careful not to get oil on the pads as they won't stick well.
Blood Clots - If you know the birthing person is suffering from blood clots, avoid massaging the legs.
Heplock / IV - Avoid massaging close to the heplock so you do not dislodge it.
TENS Unit - It's fine to massage around a TENS unit. Just be careful not to get oil on the pads as they won't stick well.
Blood Clots - If you know the birthing person is suffering from blood clots, avoid massaging the legs.
Our clients say:
"A short perspective from a Dad's point of view: Emma was a phenomenal support to both my wife and I during both pregnancy and delivery. I credit the pre-birth conversations and tutorials for making us both feel more comfortable with what to expect, and how to prepare. And when the big day itself came, Emma was a champion. Emma was calm, collected, thoughtful and supportive throughout the process. She gave me great tips on how I could support my wife, in addition to directly helping with massage and other activities to ease the pains of the labor process. I think the thing that I appreciated most about having Emma there was I was able to discreetly ask questions about what was happening when the birth started to get a little dicey towards the end. Having her there allowed me to decrease my anxiety and get my questions answered without bothering the doctor or distracting my wife. And of course, that is to say nothing of the coaching and support that she gave my wife, which was also invaluable. All in all, we really, really appreciated having Emma's help with the birth of our first child" ~ Jacob