Comfort measures for labour and birth
During labour and birth, comfort measures help you feel calm and supported, more relaxed and at ease as you find your rhythm through each contraction.
The 3 R's of coping in labour: relaxation, rhythm and ritual
In this video, renowned childbirth educator Penny Simkin shares her well-known framework for coping with labour: relaxation, rhythm and ritual — the "3 R's."
She explains how these three elements work together to help a labouring person feel calmer, more grounded and more in control as contractions progress.
It's a gentle, practical watch for anyone building their own toolkit of comfort measures for labour, and pairs naturally alongside drug-free support tools like TENS.
Standing and Slow Dancing
Changing position and finding what feels comfortable can make a real difference to how labour feels and progresses.
Staying upright lets gravity help things along, and this video shows how slow dancing with your partner — swaying together, supported and close — can ease discomfort and support your baby's movement through the pelvis.
With your partner right there to lean on, you stay upright, moving, find and build your rhythm as you cope.
Rhythmic slow breathing during contractions
Easy, natural slow breathing during contractions helps you focus your attention in a constructive way and release tension.
When a contraction asks you to pause everything, that's your moment to breathe slowly and fully, finding your own rhythm as it passes.
This video shows you how to use rhythmic slow breathing to stay grounded through each contraction.
Labour Positions and Massage
Finding different Labouring positions that feel right for you, along with massage and stroking, can help you feel more relaxed, comfortable and supported through labour.
Warm compression, using a heat pack or rice socks, can ease tension in your lower abdomen and lower back. Some find cold compression more soothing on the lower back, while a cool washcloth on the forehead — especially during the second stage — can offer welcome relief.
These different positions and comfort measures give you more ways to move through labour your way.
Birthing Positions
In this video, midwives from NHS BHRUT Maternity Services walk you through different labour and birthing positions, helping you understand why position matters — from the latent phase right through labour.
With this knowledge, you can choose what feels most comfortable and effective for your body as labour unfolds.
Why Karen used Maternity TENS for her labour
Karen shares why she chose Maternity TENS for her birth.
She had pain relief on hand from the very beginning of labour right through to the end, with no known side effects for her or her baby, and she stayed mobile throughout.
After giving birth, she was up and moving, able to feed her baby herself.
Birth Partner
This video shows how your Birth Partner can prepare and offer steady support throughout your labour.
With your partner ready and by your side, you can move through labour knowing you have someone there to help you stay calm, comfortable and supported every step of the way.
