Labor Out of the Bed: Secret Doula Stratgey
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Time to read 4 min
The Hospital Bed
There is a little secret about the hospital bed and that is that it can be a real enemy of labor. This probably comes as a surprise because the hospital bed is featured prominently in our labor and delivery rooms. In the United States and Canada, the hospital bed is the star of the room. When we see pictures and watch movies about birth it usually takes place in a hospital bed.
The hospital bed being featured in the middle of the labor and delivery room isn't the standard in all countries. In Germany and the Netherlands, for example we can see the hospital bed pushed up against the wall and other tools like an exercise ball or a birth sling centered. This alternative setup will likely lead to more labor out of the bed.
As a doula, one thing I often assist with during labor is to help clients labor out of the bed. Actually, I think of this as a secret strategy for helping labor progress and reducing pain at the same time: Labor Out of the Bed. Just because the bed is in the middle of the room and your nurse will likely tell you to get in bed as the first action, it doesn't mean that you have to spend your labor in bed.
When you are lying down in a hospital bed or sitting up semi-reclined in a hospital bed and you experience contractions they are often more painful than you would feel them if you were standing up or sitting on a birth ball or walking around. This is a powerful labor strategy that many people don't realize. When you labor out of the bed it's so simple. Being able to reduce contraction pain is a goal for most people in labor!
Table of Content
Powerful Strategy: Labor Out of the Bed
Contractions feel worse when you are in bed
In my doula work, I have often experienced the shock that happens when a woman in labor gets out of bed and experiences the reduction in pain. Sometimes they think that labor is slowing or that contractions are getting weaker. The reality is that just getting out of the bed made this improvement.
Labor Out of the Bed Positions:
- standing and leaning (in photo)
- sitting on the birth ball
- laboring in the bathtub
- laboring in the shower
- walking
- sitting in a rocking chair
How to Labor Out of the Bed
Unless you have an epidural or IV narcotics, you most likely have the ability to change positions and labor out of the bed. The problem that I have heard time and again is that people wait for the nurse to suggest that they labor out of the bed. If you arrive at the hospital in labor, it is likely that your nurse will ask that you get into the hospital bed for a period of monitoring. Nurses don't always encourage movement in labor and that can lead to you being stuck in bed, unless you advocate for yourself and ask about the ability to move and change positions.
When you can't get out of bed (in most cases):
- You have an epidural
- You have very high blood pressure
- You are on magnesium sulfate due to high blood pressure
- You are chosing IV narcotics for pain management
"If you can stay out of the hospital bed, stay out of it."
Can I Labor Out of the Bed?
Learn How to Labor Out of the Bed
Can you move and walk in labor while still being monitored?
Many people are concerned that if they have to be continuously monitored or if they require an IV that they can't labor out of the bed. Some hospitals provide access to wireless monitors which can make freedom to move about the room easier, but even if you have wired monitors you can still labor out of the bed and close to the machines. IV poles are also moveable and do not require you to be stuck in bed.
If you know that you want to take advantage of labor out of the bed, I recommend adding this on your birth plan and speaking with your healthcare team about your preferences. You can add the following phrase to a birth plan: "use movement in labor and take advantage of positions in labor out of the bed." Your healthcare team should be supportive of this preference and discuss it in advance is always a good idea.
Stay Mobile During Labor: Here's Why
Help Labor Progress with Movement
A secondary, but just as important benefit when you labor out of the bed is that movement helps your body progress in labor. Doulas often say that to move the baby (down through your pelvis) it requres people to move their bodies. Changing positions and moving around can help labor progress which is the ultimate goal for labor.
When you learn the powerful labor strategy and labor out of the bed, you not only avoid the bed trap, you are also giving body the benefit of movement and setting yourself up for success. You can continue learning helpful strategies like these in the Birth Tool Box course . This course, designed for couples, provides uber-practical guidance you can recall easily and apply naturally. When you enroll in the Birth Toolbox course you also get the Preparing for Birth parent workbook which we send to your door! This book is a great reference when you have the goal of spending labor out of the bed.
"Move your body, move the baby."
The Author: Alice Turner
Alice is a doula and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator who is passionate about helping families have a postivie birth experience. She is dedicated to childbirth education online and through the Birth Toolbox YouTube channel. When not talking about pregnancy and birth you can find her hiking, sking and walking in nature with her husband and 4 kids.
