A birth sling is a supportive fabric suspended from the ceiling or a sturdy frame, designed to help a laboring mother assume upright or squatting positions during labor and birth. It allows her to hang onto or lean into the sling for support, helping to reduce pressure on her legs, promote pelvic opening, and encourage optimal fetal positioning. Birth slings can enhance comfort, encourage movement, and use gravity to assist the progress of labor.

A birth ball (also called a stability or exercise ball) is a versatile tool that offers multiple benefits during labor. Gentle bouncing, rocking, or hip circles on the ball encourage the baby to settle into a favorable position for birth, helping labor progress more smoothly. The ball allows for fluid, supported movement that keeps the pelvis open and aligned—helping labor to progress naturally. Upright positions on the ball promote blood flow to the uterus and placenta, benefiting both mother and baby. Leaning over the ball while kneeling can offer a restful, supported position between contractions and reduce muscle tension.

Water is often called “the midwife’s epidural” for good reason. Immersion in warm water during labor can provide powerful natural relief by soothing muscles, easing pressure on joints, and calming the nervous system. The gentle buoyancy allows a laboring mother to move more freely, find comfortable positions, and feel less weighed down by the intensity of contractions. Warm water helps the body relax, which can lower stress hormones and allow labor to progress more smoothly. Emotionally, being in water creates a sense of privacy and calm, helping many feel more in control, safe, and supported during the birth process.

Nitrous oxide helps with labor pain by reducing anxiety and changing the perception of pain, rather than numbing it completely. When inhaled through a mask during contractions, it promotes a sense of calm and control, making the experience more manageable. Nitrous works quickly and wears off fast, allowing the birthing person to stay alert and responsive while still getting relief. It doesn’t affect the baby and can be used at any point in labor, offering a flexible, low-intervention option.

Using stairs during labor can be a surprisingly effective way to cope with labor and encourages progress. Climbing stairs—especially if done slowly and intentionally—helps open the pelvis, promote optimal fetal positioning, and use gravity to assist the baby’s descent. The asymmetrical movement of stepping up one leg at a time gently shifts the pelvis and encourages the baby to rotate and move down more effectively. Staying active and upright, like when using stairs, can also help distract, keep labor moving, and give the laboring mother a sense of control and momentum during the process.

A birth stool is a supportive tool designed to help a laboring mother stay upright while conserving energy during labor and pushing. Sitting on a birth stool uses gravity to encourage the baby’s descent and can help open the pelvis for more effective contractions. The upright position also allows better alignment of the baby’s head with the birth canal, often making pushing more productive. Birth stools offer physical support while allowing the pelvis to remain mobile and open, and many people find them empowering and grounding during the final stages of labor.

A TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) helps with labor by delivering gentle electrical pulses through pads placed on the lower back. These pulses stimulate the nerves and help block pain signals from reaching the brain, making contractions feel more manageable. It also promotes the release of endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers—which further reduce the perception of pain. TENS is most effective for back labor and gives the laboring mother a sense of control, as they can adjust the intensity based on their comfort. It's a drug-free, non-invasive option.

A midwife supports a woman in natural labor by offering continuous, compassionate care that honors the body's innate ability to give birth. She provides emotional reassurance, physical comfort measures like massage or counterpressure, and guidance on effective positions and movements that encourage labor progress. The midwife monitors the well-being of both mother and baby while avoiding unnecessary interventions, creating a calm, safe, and empowering environment. Through presence, intuition, and clinical expertise, she helps the woman trust her body, cope with intensity, and move through labor with confidence and support.

Eating and drinking during labor is important because it helps maintain energy, strength, and hydration—key factors that support a smoother and more effective labor. Labor is physically demanding, and just like any endurance activity, the body needs fuel to function well. Light, easy-to-digest foods can sustain blood sugar levels, while drinking fluids prevents dehydration, which can lead to fatigue, longer labors, and even stronger, more painful contractions. Staying nourished also helps keep muscles—including the uterus—working efficiently, reducing the risk of exhaustion and helping the laboring mother feel more in control and resilient.

A calm environment helps labor progress by supporting the release of oxytocin—the hormone responsible for contractions—and reducing adrenaline, which can slow or stall labor. When a laboring mother feels safe, private, and undisturbed, their body is more likely to relax and open, allowing labor to unfold naturally. Dim lighting, quiet voices, gentle touch, and familiar surroundings all signal to the nervous system that it's safe to let go. This calm atmosphere not only makes labor more comfortable but also promotes a smoother, more efficient birth by honoring the body's instinctive rhythms.

Essential oils can be a powerful tool for coping in labor by engaging the senses, promoting relaxation, and supporting emotional balance. Certain oils—like lavender, frankincense, or clary sage—can reduce anxiety, calm the nervous system, and create a soothing atmosphere that helps the laboring person stay grounded and focused. Inhalation or gentle massage with essential oils can also ease tension, support rhythmic breathing, and even help manage nausea or fatigue. The comforting, familiar scent of essential oils can become a personal anchor, offering emotional support and a sense of control during the intensity of labor.