Unmedicated Hospital Birth Series: Creating a Relaxing Environment
Next in our series on Unmedicated Hospital Birth, we will discuss the importance of creating a relaxing environment– as well as tips on how to do so.
The simple difference between calm music in the background, versus a beeping machine, can actually make a big difference in our birth experience. It’s like when you’re cooking and you have the stove fan on– you don’t realize how overstimulating that noise is until you turn it off, and then you have a big sigh of relief.
When you’re in labor, the simple switches make a big impact on our experience. Birth works best when we’re not too tuned in to the outside world. When we’re able to go really internal, into our primal brain, and not notice much that’s happening around us. In order for this to happen, we need to feel safe.
A lot of what makes us feel safe in labor are actually very basic things. A feeling of privacy. Minimal noises and distractions. Dim lighting.
Our physical environment plays a big part in our labor. And this is good news, because these things are very easily controlled. Pro tip: make sure your birth partner is well-versed in the environment piece. They can be in charge of making sure this is all accomplished once you get to your birth location.
Setting the Scene: Diminishing Distractions
When you first arrive at the hospital, there’s a bit of hustle and bustle as you’re getting settled. Your nurse will have a laundry list of questions for you…any allergies? Pediatrician's name? Name of your Elementary School? Ha..okay maybe not that last one. But truly, there will be lots of questions. Make sure your partner is ready to jump in and answer them all, so that you can focus on laboring.
If you walk in to your room, and the lights are bright, feel free to ask the nurse where the switch is to turn them down. Work to create your baby cave from the moment you walk in by making the room as quiet and dim as possible. Get your playlist, if you have one, started right away.
Comfort Items: Bringing Pieces of Home
It can be comforting to have familiar items with you. This could be a pillow or a blanket, or even a framed picture of a pet or your other children.
Be intentional about what you decide to take with you. Spend a lot of time with these items in your final weeks and days of pregnancy. Your brain will associate these items with calm and peace, and understand when you’re laboring in the hospital that that’s these items' purpose.
Controlling the Space: Setting Boundaries
If you are birthing at a hospital that has nursing student rotations, or residents (especially important at a teaching hospital!), you are not required to allow these people in your birthing space. Yes, everyone needs to learn…but it does not have to be with you.
Especially if this is your first time birthing, really reflect on if you’d want these extra people in your birth space. The primal part of our brain identifies all strangers as danger when we’re laboring. Keeping strangers to the minimum can be very helpful in a smooth labor process.
Partner as Advocate: Establishing a Supportive Presence
When you are focused on bringing your baby into the world, you are not in the headspace to advocate for yourself. This is where your birth partner comes in.
In the weeks leading up to your birth, practice some scenarios with your partner in which they may need to advocate for your wishes. As mentioned earlier, make sure that they’re aware of the pediatrician's name, any allergies you have, where the medical insurance cards are, etc, so that you can stay in your labor brain when arriving at the hospital. Make sure they’re comfortable asking staff not to talk during your contractions, if that seems to be an issue. Also, prepare them to speak in a low and quiet voice– staff will generally mirror and mimic the way your partner is speaking.
Partners often feel unsure how to be most supportive during the birthing process. Creating a relaxing environment, and expecting all others in the room to respect that environment, is the perfect role for them… and so, so helpful.
Practical Tips for a Calm Birth Space:
There are lots of ways to craft this relaxing environment in your birth space. Here’s a breakdown of some that have already been covered, as well as some other ideas. Take what seems like it would be helpful for you, and leave the rest.
Music playlist (have a few ready to go for different energy levels) (HERE is one that I love)
Aromatherapy (yes, you can bring your diffuser & oils)
Your own pillow & blanket
Framed photo of loved ones
Your favorite robe
Your own labor gown, instead of the hospital one
“No students or residents in the room” on your birth plan, and tape a note on your door as a reminder
Have your partner practice for their role of establishing and maintaining this calm environment
Trusting Your Choices: A Reminder
You will know what you need, come baby day. Most often it’s a dark room and some quiet background music…sometimes it’s silence…words of affirmation. If you end up needing something you weren’t planning on, let your birth partner know. They’re there to follow your lead and support you however needed.
Also remember that you have rights, and you are in the driver seat in your hospital birth. Providers are also there to support you. Advise and support, but never (barring a true medical emergency) take the steering wheel.
Preparing Before the Big Day
Make a plan for your environment in labor, and make sure that your birth partner is aware of the plan. Then, make sure that your birth partner is ready to advocate for these preferences.
Our primal brains are driving labor, and these are the things that our primal brain likes. Calm. Safety. Familiarity. And the best way to stay in that laboring, primal brain, is to have these things taken care of in the background.
What did you find the most helpful in creating a relaxing environment for your birth?
