It may be more challenging right now than it usually would be, to get all the things you might have on your birth toolkit. But rest assured, there are many items you probably already have at home that can be really helpful in early labour.

1.      A hot water bottle. Applying warmth can provide great relief from labour pain, especially in early labour. A hot water bottle, filled with hot but not boiling water (and with a cover or cloth wrapped around it) can be very comforting against the back, tummy or groin. 

2.      A rice sock as a hot/cold pack. You can make this easily with a regular (preferably fairly long) sock, filled with regular rice. Heat it in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes (test this before hand- as it will depend on the size of your sock and the strength of your microwave) and use it around your neck, lower back, tummy, groin- anywhere you feel it might ease discomfort or aches.  You can make a cold compress by placing the sock in the freezer in advance. Which can feel great around the neck if you find yourself getting uncomfortably hot during labour.

3.      A facecloth - run it under the cold tap or use a cold pack. A hot pack - run it under the hot tap. Again, can feel really great on the forehead, neck or back.  You can also pack some in your hospital bag and ask your midwife about using a warm facecloth to support the perineum as the baby’s head emerges.

4.      A rolling pin. Massage  and counter pressure can be amazing in labour- but a rolling pin can do a very similar job. Simply have someone roll up and down on the lower back/top of the bum/hips. Let them know what spots feel good and how much pressure feels right.

5.      Bendy straws. You want to stay hydrated, but you also want to use minimal energy between contractions. A bendy straw can allow you to take sips from a glass offered by your birthing partner with only a minimal movement of the head.

6.      A tennis ball. Same function essentially as the rolling pin. Or if you have a tube with a few balls, this can work similarly to the rolling pin. 

7.       A comb. No it’s not for your hair. There are acupressure points along the creases of the hands where the fingers join the palm. Stimulating these points is said to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever. Simply place the comb in your palm so that the teeth and hitting those points and close your hand and squeeze to whatever pressure feels comfortable during contractions. 

8.       The bath. Many women find a warm bath very relaxing and helpful in easing the pain of contractions.  

9.       The shower. A warm shower can also have the same effect.

10.   The toilet. Sitting on the toilet allows you to do a supported squat, which allows the pelvis to open up and creates more space for baby to engage and therefore keeps labour progressing nicely.  The toilet is also a place where we naturally relax our pelvic floor muscles which again helps labour to progress.  You can also choose to sit facing towards the wall with a pillow resting on the cistern- it can be a great position to relax in. Or face forward and allow yourself to be supported and hugged by your birth partner.  

Have you tried any of these in labour? Any you think you’ll add to your list of comfort measures? Let us know on our social media pages! There is also a great video demonstrating these tips on our IGTV.

Many thanks to Mairead Heffron (doula) for putting together these tips.