The 3 R’s of Labor

The three “R’s” of labor are just a few of the “…self-help comfort measures a woman can practice before labor to help manage pain and enhance labor progress.” (The Birth Partner; Simkin & Cheyney). The beauty of these three R’s is that they can be practiced at home before the birth, solo or with a birth partner, so that they are a tool ready to be used during labor, delivery, and birth.

RELAXATION- letting your body go completely limp in between contractions (passive) or moaning, swaying or rocking during contractions (active). This can help the laboring woman cope with the pain in a way that makes it feel like it is more manageable. Breathing during passive relaxation can help relieve areas of tension that may be creating discomfort during labor, ultimately helping the body relax more and allowing the contraction.

RHYTHM - this looks like practicing breathing techniques (slow, deep breaths in early labor and fast, patterned rhythms during active labor and the transition phase), rocking during contractions, tapping, counting, and listening to music can all help take the focus on the pain of labor, and relax into the contraction, allowing the woman’s body to open up for baby to be born.

RITUAL - visualizing something specific (like picturing waves when contractions surge, a flower blooming as you let baby descend and relax the perineum, or looking at a focal point during contractions). This can also look like chanting a word (something that encourages or inspires you) and also groaning in the lower register, allowing the throat to open and the pelvic floor to relax during contractions.