Pros and cons of fast labour

We’ve all heard stories of super quick labours, but before you go wishing for your own express delivery, consider this – it’s not called labour for nothing.

Giving birth takes time as your body works at producing those birth-inducing hormones so your uterus can contract, your cervix dilate, and your baby can rotate down the birth canal. But while labour will never be a walk in the park, it doesn’t have to be a marathon either…

[1] Be Prepared

Whether it’s reading mum-to-be manuals or taking parentcraft classes, it pays to prepare before those contractions kick in. ‘Midwives tell me it’s always mums who prepare both mentally and physically who have the best birth experience,’ says Sally Lomas, an active birth teacher and co-director of Birthlight (birthlight.com).

‘During classes, I get couples to ‘practice’ the birth, trying different positions and working with bean bags and birthing balls so they’re familiar. We discuss emotions too. We’d never promise a perfect birth but we can help women accept it’s normal to have anxieties and to trust that their bodies can give birth.’

Research also shows women who exercise regularly while pregnant have easier labours, deliveries and recoveries. ‘If you don’t want to be done in before active labour even starts, prenatal yoga, aquanatal classes and walking can up your fitness levels,’ says doula Adela Stockton, (doula.org.uk).  Yoga particularly strengthens the body and boosts stamina, but most crucially helps you breathe, relax and focus on the business of birthing.

[2] Just Relax

OK, relaxing might not be the first thing that springs to mind during labour, but it can make birthing quicker and simpler. ‘If you relax, you’ll feel more secure so you body releases the hormone oxytocin. This produces contractions,’ Sally explains. ‘The trick is to keep fear, and therefore adrenalin rushes, at bay as they counteract oxytocin production, slowing down labour.’

‘Pick an environment you feel safe in,’ agree Sally and Adela. Evidence shows mums and babies are less likely to receive intervention if the birth environment is ‘low-tech’, say at home or in a birth centre. If you do choose hospital, make the delivery room as homely as possible.

‘Little touches make hospitals more relaxing,’ says Sally. ‘Bring some pillows from home, set the lights low and put on some mellow music. Think about relaxing in a shower, bath, or birthing pool.’ Evidence shows women who use a birthing pool often experience an easier labour.  

You might want your man to get touchy-feely too. Research reveals women who are massaged during labour are less anxious and experience less pain and shorter labours. ‘Massage stimulates the body to release endorphins, the natural pain-killing and mood-lifting hormones,’ Sally explains. ‘The touch of someone who loves you can also be very empowering when you’re tired or anxious.’

[3] Know Your UFO 

No, not alien transport but the prime position for labour – Upright, Forward and Over. Whether you’re standing, walking, sitting or squatting, remaining upright frees up to 28% more space in your pelvis for you baby to push through. If you pile up pillows on the bed, then stand and lean forward over them, you’ll have a comfy place to rest between contractions too.

If you can, stay mobile. ‘Being mobile gives baby an internal massage, helping push her into position for delivery,’ says Sally. ‘Having said that, the best position for mum is the one she feels most comfortable in.’ ‘Women should adopt positions that feel instinctively right,’ agrees Adela.

[4] And Breathe…

There’s nothing like a deep breath for calming the nerves, especially in labour. Breathing slowly and deeply helps release tension in your muscles, causing your cervix to dilate. It also pipes down plenty of oxygen to your baby, to help her can cope with the stress of being born.

So is there a best way to breathe? ‘We don’t teach women complicated techniques,’ says Sally. ‘The key is to meet your contractions with an out-breath, rather than tensing up with a big ‘here we go’ breath in. You want to breathe baby out.’ 
‘Using your normal rhythm will help you conserve energy, while breathing in through your nose will stop you hyperventilating too,’ adds Adela.

‘Those deep breaths also make you feel connected with your body, helping it work through labour.’

[5] Pick a Perfect Partner

Being well supported in labour repeatedly crops up as the single most important factor for a positive birth experience. Whether it’s your partner, mum or a hired doula doing the hand-holding, communication is key. ‘A big part of preparation is to discuss expectations, so your partner can encourage, reassure and assist you in any way possible,’ says Sally.

‘They should also be flexible. You may have insisted on no pain relief before the birth but you’re entitled to change your mind once labour’s in full flow.’

Having a more experienced pair of hands on deck, like a doula, can really help. Research shows women who work with doulas generally have shorter, easier births.  ‘We’re non-medical professionals trained to provide both emotional and physical support to women and their partners, so their birthing experience is a good one,’ Adela explains.

The results speak for themselves. With a trained doula's support, women are less likely to ask for pain relief (epidural use drops by 60%), which can slow down labour.

[6] Pace Yourself

It’s the middle of the night, your contractions have started and your partner’s revving the car before you’ve had time to count the intervals. ‘Don’t rush to hospital unless you’re contractions are coming thick and fast,’ advises Sally. ‘You’ll need your stamina once active labour starts, so take it easy at home, get some rest and conserve your energy.’

‘You’ll probably feel more relaxed in your home environment too, which means more oxytocin for those contractions,’ says Adela. Go to hospital too early and a burst of adrenalin could have your body clamming up.

Finally, remember that even when you’re fully dilated, contractions can stop. If your baby’s happy, don’t be persuaded to hurry things with a hormone drip. Just dim the lights, chill and you’ll soon have a surge of energy for the last stretch.

‘Keep drinking and eating too,’ says Sally. ‘Your body needs fuel for contractions while swallowing relaxes your jaw and helps you breathe your baby out.’

*Lightening Labour*

It may sound appealing but a short fast labour (less than three hours) can be shocking. Physically you’re more at risk of haemorrhaging, while being thrust down a birth canal that’s not had time to stretch puts pressure on your baby. Emotionally, you’ll feel drained too.

‘A quick labour overwhelms both mum and baby, as there’s no time to adjust,’ says Sally. ‘Labour acts as a right of passage, going from womanhood to motherhood. If it’s too fast your brain doesn’t have a chance to take it all in. Psychologically it’s important to have as calm an experience as possible.’