Your birth space can profoundly influence your hormones and experience during labor and childbirth. Let’s discuss what you need to remember when planning your calm birthing space to ensure it is optimized for a positive labor and childbirth experience!
1. Darkness in Your Birth Space
In the weeks leading up to having your baby, your body produces significantly more melatonin than it did for the first half of your pregnancy! And your uterus even starts to grow melatonin receptors making it even more sensitive to this hormone.
Although melatonin isn’t going to do anything on its own, when oxytocin, the “love” hormone that stimulates contractions, is added, these two hormones will work together to produce stronger and more effective contractions.
However, bright light is the killer of melatonin production. Therefore, you should avoid laboring under bright light and, instead, in darkness with dim lights to allow your natural hormones to help your body continue laboring effectively.
Laboring in darkness also allows you to focus, feel calmer, and be more in control rather than overwhelmed and distracted, which can happen with more light in your birth space.
I recommend keeping lights off or dim, hanging twinkle lights, using battery tea lights, and having an eye mask on hand, just in case!
I recommend keeping your birthing space dim, hanging twinkle lights, and/or having battery-powered candles. Plus, if you’re planning a waterbirth, check out these floating water-proof tea lights!
2. Privacy
Childbirth is a vulnerable event, and both darkness and privacy can help you focus on your body without feeling uncomfortable.
Experiencing privacy during labor and childbirth will allow you to relax more, allowing your body to progress in labor better than if you felt tense!
Also, ensure you have people around you who will make you feel comfortable and supported. I highly recommend having two support people with you, such as your partner, friend, or family member, and a birth doula for increased satisfaction with your birth and a lowered risk of unnecessary birth interventions! (Source)
Additionally, laboring at home for as long as possible can help improve feelings of privacy.
3. Silence in Your Birth Space
Limiting unnecessary and unwanted noises is crucial for a calm labor! When most women are in labor, every sensation will be elevated and extra distracting or irritating.
Plus, silence is necessary to relax as much as possible and remain focused, which will help your labor pains feel more manageable.
If you’re interested in adding that you’d like limited casual talking between your labor team during labor and/or active childbirth, check out creating your own birth plan here!
4. Safety in Your Birth Space
Suppose your stress response is triggered, and you release large amounts of catecholamines (a stress hormone). Your body will tense up, and your labor can stop completely or slow down dramatically.
This happens because if our bodies feel we are in danger, they will do everything they can to wait to have your baby until you and your baby can be safe. But this would mostly only occur if you’re in early labor.
5. Warmth
If you feel cold, you will tense up. So, feeling warm in your birth space is essential to keep your body as relaxed as possible. This will enhance your feelings of peace and allow your labor to progress.
And prepare to change from hot to cold a few times, possibly throughout your labor! Ensure your support team is prepared to apply or remove clothing layers and have cool rags and heating pads available for you.
Some items that may help keep you warm (but not too hot!) in your birth space include:
- A fan- in case you get hot. If you’re going to the hospital or a birthing center, you can bring a small portable stroller fan
- A warm jacket, sweater & socks can be excellent to have in case you get cold.
Additional Comfort Items for Your Calm Birth Space:
- Aromatherapy– such as clary sage, lavender, chamomile, and peppermint! Bring scents that you think will smell good during your labor and have options available since your senses will be increased during this time. Something you usually like could be too much for you during labor.
Clary sage may help strengthen contractions. Lavender and chamomile are great for relaxation. And peppermint can help you feel more alert if you’re getting tired.
Learn more about clary sage and naturally inducing labor!
- You may also bring A birth ball or a peanut ball for movement and positions that will support the continuation of your labor.
- A speaker or headphones for music- to help you meditate, relax, or keep pushing through labor.
- A rolling massage device– to help with back pain and enhance your comfort.
- Heating & cooling ice packs- to help regulate your temperature to keep you comfortable.
- A foam gardening knee pad– for kneeling on the bed, floor, or in the tub.
- You may also bring a shawl or a rebozo– if you have a doula, ask if they are bringing one, or you can have your partner or friend learn to use one to help you in labor.
- And the last thing I’ll mention is two wide-toothed combs– you can hold one in each hand for counter-irritation if you’d like to try this pain-relief technique.
When you are provided and prepared for a private, dark, silent, safe, comfortable, and warm environment, your body will efficiently do the work it needs to have an effective labor and childbirth experience!
You got this, mama! You are encouraged, educated, and empowered.♡
Sources:
In Melatonin: Pregnancy and Birth
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DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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