How to Strengthen your Contractions

Here are 5 ways to increase the strength of your contractions!

OPTIMISE OXYTOCIN.

All 5 of these tips are essentially how to optimise/maximise oxytocin. If you’ve spoken to me for 5 minutes, you’ve probably heard me emphasise oxytocin’s role in labor. Labor cannot, and will not progress without this hormone. Your “happy hormone”, your body releases this when you’re feeling safe (both physically + emotionally), loved, comfortable, & supported. I’ve seen first hand how labor slows down or stops altogether when oxytocin & the feelings associated with it are not present.

That said — here are my tips.

1. Darkness.

When we’re in a dark environment, our body makes melatonin. When our bodies make melatonin, our oxytocin levels are boosted along with it. (Picture it for a sec - you’re naked & in labor. You’re vulnerable & super exposed right? Would you feel more comfortable with bright lights, or darkness? I’d personally rather not feel like there’s a spotlight on me when I’m navigating the throes of labor. So pop those bright lights off and have the room as dim as possible.

2. Physical touch.

Oxytocin levels skyrocket when we’re being physically touched in an assuring, calming, loving way. Think head strokes, shoulder massage, hand holding, a reassuring hand on the back. If you’re a romantic partner, kisses & cuddles are magic here.

3. Privacy.

I touched on this briefly in point 1 above re: darkness. If we’re in a spotlight, we’re not at our most relaxed & comfortable. But it’s not only about lighting - it’s also who is IN the room with you. Don’t invite any person who you don’t feel absolutely comfortable with to your birth. Do not do it. It’s not about them getting to have a front row seat to the show. You need to be completely at ease, or it will affect your labor. It’s just fact. In addition to a very intentionally selected birth team, I also always put a sign on my clients hospital door asking medical staff to knock (& wait for a “come in”!) before they enter. Some do this naturally, but many, many don’t. And the way it can throw a mum off is more significant than you may think.

4. Maternal positioning.

Bub’s head pressing on the cervix helps aid the cycle of oxytocin production. Your body goes “oh there’s a head there, let’s help this baby come out!” and it’ll trigger more oxytocin production. So optimising mums position is a big piece of this puzzle, we want Bub’s head to hit the right spot!

5. Nipple stimulation.

If labor starts slowing down, I’ll first suggest the above 4 things. Then if we need another little tool to whip out, nipple stimulation is a great one. Breastfeeding triggers oxytocin production, and mimicking that experience will help the release of oxytocin, therefore helping increase the strength & effectiveness of your contractions.

What might this look like all tied together?

Let’s say I’m with my client & she’s been in early labor for a bit. We want to help things along in the most natural, least “interventionist” way possible.

Here’s what I might suggest:

1. Dark: Mum & Dad, alone in their dark room.

2. Touch: Dad sits behind mum, giving her a nice gentle, relaxing shoulder massage.

3. Privacy: I take the kids outside.

4. Mum is sitting on a birth ball while getting her massage, to optimise Bub’s position in her pelvis.

5. She’s hand expressing while this is happening.

6. And tip #6 for good measure - I’ll pop on relaxing music or a birth medication to help her zone out of the world & into her body.

Follow my account @guardian.doula on Instagram for more tips & tricks on all things pregnancy, birth & postpartum.

Until next time,

Angie,

your Guardian Doula. x