Easy Coping Strategies for Any Birth: A Doula’s Guide for Pregnant Folks

Photo credit: @dearbirth

Labor differs dramatically from person to person! So how do we plan to cope, when we never know how labor will unfold?

As doulas, we find it’s easiest to remember strategies that you’ve practice and planned on. And a mnemonic can be helpful to remember when you’re in the moment. We like to use what Penny Simkin, author of The Birth Partner, coined “The Three R’s” as a method of tool to help cope during labor:

Relaxation, Rhythm, and Ritual

First up is RELAXATION …
What this looks like in early labor:

• Watch a movie

• Take a long shower or bath

• Rest on your side with a body pillow or a donut pool float

What this looks like later in labor:

• Relax between contractions by resting in child’s pose, side-lying, or leaning against a partner

• Some people even sleep between contractions!  
  

Next up is RHYTHM & RITUAL …
And here’s what’s special: Anything repeated rhythmically through each contraction becomes a ritual! 
Some are completely spontaneous and emerge during labor, and others are learned before birth.

Here’s what to keep in mind with these coping strategies: 

• Use them as long as they work, and then shift when they aren’t serving you. 

• Your birth team can be a huge help in getting you back on track if you’ve lost your rhythm. 
  
  

Interested in learning more embodied coping strategies for labor? Join us for our prenatal and our embodied childbirth education series!