When you arrive at the hospital

When you get to the hospital, you'll want to be as prepared as possible.

Bring comfortable clothes

You can always use a hospital gown, but bringing your own clothes might help you feel more relaxed and comfortable. As labor progresses, you'll be working hard, so wear something unconfining and lightweight (if you're chilly, you can always add a sweater or blanket).

Make yourself at home

When you get to the hospital, make the labor room your own.

Turn the lights up or down.
Unpack your labor bag.
Raise or lower the bed and arrange the pillows.
Play your favorite music.
Arrange the chairs so you can be close to your partner.
Open or shut the curtains.
Turn the television on or off.

The room is yours to use in whatever ways comfort you and help you through labor. Ask for what you want and need.

The nurses and staff want to help you. Ask them for suggestions when you feel "stuck." They work with laboring mothers every day, and they can recommend positions and comfort measures that may work very well for you.

When you'd like to be alone with your partner to hug, massage, or talk, don't hesitate to ask for privacy. The staff will honor your request.

If you feel that the nurse assigned to you doesn't support your birth plan, or if you feel you are having difficulty communicating your concerns to the nurse assigned to you, you may ask to speak to the charge nurse.

Share your birth plan

If you developed a birth plan during your pregnancy, bring it along to the hospital. Include in the plan what you would like as comfort measures, which relaxation techniques you prefer, and other tips about how you want to be supported.

Move!

Moving around and staying active help speed your labor along, help your baby get into a better position for birth, and help your body stay as comfortable as possible. Being tense, anxious and passive can slow labor down.

You have many options for positions during labor and birth. See Positions during labor and birth for a detailed listing of positions you and your partner or labor companion should practice now.

More comforts during labor

Think of and use many ways to keep yourself relaxed and comfortable during labor and birth:

Your labor companion and/or partner is one of your most important sources of comfort, and can help you get comfortable and stay relaxed, offer support and encouragement, and help you with decision making.
A birthing ball (a large plastic ball) is kept at birth centers for your use. Lean on it, sit on it, roll gently back and forth on it during labor. Sitting on the ball encourages pelvic relaxation and may help your baby move through your pelvis.
Touch is a powerful tool for relaxation. Practice with your partner and/or labor companion during pregnancy to discover what kind of touch, gentle or firm, helps you relax. If you feel labor contractions in your lower back, the steady, firm pressure of the heel of your labor companion's hand can relieve pressure.
Heat and cold can provide comfort, reduce pain, and enhance relaxation. Try a rice-filled cotton sock warmed in the microwave or a cold pack made with crushed ice.