Supporting women during labor and birth

Abstract

For many women, the essential ingredients for a safe and satisfying birth include a sense of empowerment and success in coping with or transcending the experience, in addition to having solid, positive encouragement from a support companion. The massage practitioner can enhance these ingredients by adding knowledgeable, caring touch which can decrease pain, increase relaxation, speed labor, and reduce medical interventions. Serving women in labor, witnessing a baby's birth, and positively influencing a mother's responsiveness to her infant are unique and powerful opportunities. Being invited to serve in this capacity indicates that you have skill in helping a woman feel at ease. Keep in mind that your presence and loving touch may have a deeper impact on your client than you even realize, as your presence will forever be a part of her and her child's birth story.