Hellobee Boards

Early labor: I reminded myself that my body knew exactly what it was doing which helped me tremendously to not get discouraged despite my slow progression.

Active Labor: I hummed in a low tone as I exhaled (I started this with my very first contraction so when it got harder this breathing was already second nature). I also had a labor playlist of worship music that I found myself singing along with through a few really tough contractions at 7 cm. And WATER!!!! While I labored in our tub DH would pour water over my belly through contractions, it felt AHHHHMAZING!

Move ALOT and don't get stuck on any one position, what didn't help in early labor may be perfect for active labor or transition and visa versa... your body will tell you what it needs (transition consisted of my "hanging" on DH where early/active labor I wanted to deal by myself)

Best thing you can do regardless of stage is TRUST YOUR BODY! Remember that even though you've never does this IT knows exactly what to do.

@runsyellowlites: @prettylizy: You ladies sound like you had med free labors?

I could tell no difference between early labor and active labor as mine was short and fast. But what helped me was standing in a warm shower or laying very still on my side and concentrating on breathing slowly and smoothly. My son was very low in my pelvis so any form of sitting was very painful. Kneeling, draping across a labor ball, or laying flat on my back made me nauseated so those didn't work for me but I definitely tried them. Having my husband sit and stare at me didn't help but having him calm and collected was very useful in keeping me from panicking. Don't be afraid to vocalize or hold on to something like a bar or chair arm so you can twist that to express what your body is going through.

Lol, early labor pretty much doesn't exist for me (or at least, it's very short). With both of my kids, I immediately started out with 2 minute long contractions with 1 minute breaks in between.

What helped the most before I got the epidural was keeping my eyes shut, low moaning, controlled breathing, and having my husband talk me through each one. Both times I threw up a lot before getting the epidural, and I was very nauseous, so having a cold washcloth on my forehead helped. I also found that walking/standing/kneeling during the contraction took much more strength than I had, so my husband would hold me up during each one and kinda sway (think middle school slow dancing). With both births, I had the epidural placed during active labor, which allowed me to rest until transition. During transition, I could feel the contractions some, so moaning and controlled breathing helped a lot, along with my husband's constant encouragement.

Early labor: I walked around a lot and tried to keep moving or switching positions. Laying on my back just made things feel worse.

Active labor: Slow, deep breathing helped me focus. I squeezed my husband's hand through a lot of them. Right before we decided to go to the hospital, I took too long hot showers (I turned around so the shower nozzle sprayed directly on my back). At the hospital, I took another shower and then my husband and a nursing student took turns rubbing my lower back with a hand held massager. During transition, another nurse coached me with the "he he ho" breathing and I tried using different focus spots around the room to look at during the peaks of my worst contractions. I did a lot of swaying with leaning on my husband. I did not have an epidural, only IV meds in the beginning of my active labor.

Early labour: Walking around. Trying to joke with people, enjoy the moment. I was at home for most of this so I kept time of my contractions, emailed people, etc.

Active labor: Getting in the shower (at the hospital) really helped. Apparently I was in there for 2 hours. Felt like 5 mins! I did do some breathing and I demanded the room be COMPLETELY silent every time I had a contraction. (Weird, I know). They also had a rocking chair in my room which I really liked though I can't remember if I rocked or just sat there. haha.

Early labour was pretty easy as the contractions weren't painful, I just breathed through them a bit but nothing else was required.

Active labour, I used the following techniques in order, progressing to the next step when the previous one stopped working:
- bouncing on the exercise ball
- pacing the floor
- stomping around on the carpet (different sensation on the feet)
- leaning on DH and stomping the floor with one foot
- same as above but now using vocalisations as well (just a deep moaning sound)
- sitting backwards on a chair and resting my forehead on the back of the chair whilst shuffling my feet on the carpet
- a hot shower, which was AMAZING!

And then I got the epidural which was far and away the most amazing pain management technique of all.

I didn't really have early labor contractions as I was induced and the painful, active labor contractions started pretty quickly.

I had a doula and she encouraged the low moans through the contractions to help me open up and make it through the contractions. I also sat on an exercise ball, faced away from DH and leaned on his chest in between and during contractions. He whispered in my ear during the contractions to help me get through the pain.

That worked the best until I hit 6 cm, which is when I got my epidural. That was pretty awesome.

During the pushing stage, focusing all my energy into the push and not yelling during the contractions *really* helped. But when the babies were crowning, the yelling totally happened and I wasn't sorry for it! lol