Make Labor Easier: Common Mistakes Women Make in Labor

These common mistakes women make during labor aren’t helping anyone! If you want a fast and easy labor and birth, avoid making these simple mistakes.

Who doesn’t want a faster and easier labor? Moms are always looking to make labor and delivery easier, so I decided to write this post after seeing mom after mom making these common labor mistakes and regretting their choices!

Bringing your baby into the world is exciting, joyous, magical and…kinda scary! As a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve learned a lot about childbirth, and I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

These common labor mistakes often present unique challenges to the laboring mom, and are things you probably would not have thought of until labor hits!

But I’m a believer in educating and preparing, so I’m going to offer you some advice on things you should not do while laboring to hopefully give you an easy labor and delivery.

Disclaimer: The information in this post is purely for entertainment and is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. I always adhere to HIPAA policies, any similarities to yours or anyone else’s story is purely coincidental. Please see my disclosure policy for more information. This post contains affiliate links, meaning if a purchase is made using these links I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I know and love.

How to have an easy labor

I wish there was one straight answer to this question!

The best way to have an easy labor is to do what you need to do.

Do you need an epidural? Get one. Do you need a lot of support? Ask for it. Do you need a quiet space to be in your zone? Demand it.

No one’s labor is the same! And your labors and births will vary from child to child, too.

These common labor mistakes won’t apply to every person. But within this post you’ll find some tips that can make labor faster and easier.

10 Things That Make Labor Harder

1. Stay in one position

It is so important to keep moving during your labor – whether you plan to have an unmedicated birth or an epidural! It keeps your joints and ligaments loose and can allow the baby to move lower into the pelvis.

If you have an epidural, you should switch frequently between laying on your right side, left side, in a reclined position, sitting, or even with just a pillow under one of your hips! You don’t have to stay in one position if you get an epidural – that is one of the biggest myths!

It is important to move with an epidural, because when your epidural wears off, you will be SO sore if you laid in one spot the whole time.

If your hospital has them available, as your nurse or doula to help you get positioned with a peanut ball. They are great to open up the pelvis and make room for baby!

If you are laboring without pain medication, move in whatever way your body needs! Lay, sit, squat, stand…whatever feels good! Move rhythmically with your contractions and let your body do it’s thing!

I think I talk about it in every labor post I write, but I loved sitting on a birthing ball. Moving with each contraction was a nice distraction, it took pressure off of my legs and lower back, and helped open up my pelvis and keep my joints relaxed!

Additionally, getting in the shower or tub can be a great way to stay moving and keep things relaxed. It’s also a great distraction!

Change positions as frequently as you are able. Find what’s comfortable and stay there for awhile before trying something new.

2. Being afraid to communicate your needs

Being a patient and giving birth can be kind of…awkward. Especially if you’re not used to feeling like you have to rely on the help of others.

Be honest with your team. Do you need more pillows? Water? Heat? Ice? Let them know! They’re there to help you!

It’s also a great idea to communicate what you might need to your partner beforehand. Gently guide them to this post where they can learn what may be expected to them!

3. Eating way too much or not at all

I see this all the time! Moms hear HORROR stories about being starving throughout labor, so they feel the contractions starting and eat a huge meal.

Let me tell you, many women vomit throughout labor. And it’s a very unpleasant thing to have happening when you’re already so uncomfortable!

It’s important to eat small amounts to keep your strength up (if your doctor allows it), but maybe stick with crackers or something bland so you don’t regret it later!

Additionally, many women poop during labor. Eating a ton before labor truly starts might escalate your stool situation.

4. Not staying hydrated

Whether it be water, a sports drink, ginger ale, juice, tea…you name it! Sipping fluids throughout labor is super important.

Labor is a WORK OUT, BABY! You have to keep your strength up so you can push your cutie into the world. Designate someone to remind you to drink drink drink.

5. Inviting too many visitors

Did you know that lack of privacy in labor can actually slow labor down?

It’s important to create a space that feels safe and comfortable to you, even if that’s in a hospital!

It may offend some of your friends or family, but you may want to keep the guest list small during labor.

How many people should I have in the room during delivery?

Having 2-3 people in your delivery room is plenty, and sometimes even that is too many!

Remember, delivery rooms are often small and cramped. It’s important to keep the room as comfortable as possible. You don’t want to be distracted, overheated, or cramped during birth!

Beforehand, remind your support team to be quiet and respectful, and let you labor without offering unsolicited advice.

I see many moms question their decisions and their body because their family members are telling them so many different things!

It drives me nuts when visitors say things like, “you’ll never have that baby if you don’t walk around!” or “I never did that when I was in labor…”

Not cool, not supportive.

I wrote up this post to help guide the support person during labor, and it may be a good idea to ask all everyone in your delivery room to read.

6. Fighting the contractions

I am super guilty of doing this during my labors, but it was something that I tried to keep in mind!

When the contraction starts, it’s very easy to tense up and try to “fight” it.

Instead, accept each contraction as it comes, don’t think about the next contraction, and focus on relaxing your body, whether that be with guided imagery, breathing techniques, or movement. Think of the contractions as a wave you have to ride. Ride it to the peak and let your body relax as it comes down.

7. Not resting when you can

In between contractions, let your body totally relax. Don’t panic that another contraction is coming, don’t think about how much longer it will be or how much time has passed, just focus on rest.

It’s hard to do, and definitely easier said than done, but it really makes a difference to your mentality and energy levels!

8. Packing too much in the hospital bag

This is another huge one!

People get so nervous they won’t have everything that they bring way too many things.

What you don’t need in your hospital bag:

A ton of baby outfits (you really only need a going home outfit)
Bottles and formula (unless you are very specific on which brand you want)
Diapers
Wipes
Towels
Blankets/swaddles
Underwear (wear the mesh panties they give you — trust me!)
Pads
Medications – the hospital should provide these for you

What you do need in your hospital bag:

Going home outfit for the baby
Car seat (purchased and installed, not brought into labor room)
2-3 comfy outfits for yourself
Toiletries
Chargers

At the bottom of this post (and in the sidebar) there is a link to download my FREE Ultimate Birth Prep Bundle. Included in the Bundle is a labor AND postpartum packing checklist! Grab your free download so you don’t miss anything!

9. Telling too many people you’re in labor

Before you know it, everyone will be out in the waiting room dying to come in! And as soon as the baby is out, they may wiggle their way in and spoil those first precious moments.

Labor can be long. Like, days long sometimes.

When family and friends start texting, “WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THIS BABY?” and “SEND ME PICS!!!” it puts an unnecessary amount of pressure on you to feel like you have to perform.

Labor is not something to be rushed! Babies come when they want to, and you don’t want everyone pressuring you to hurry things up.

Instead, tell just a few of the most important people in your life. Decide who you want to be with you as a support person (or support people) and ask everyone else to stay home. You may just want a few moments to get to know your baby before everyone else gets their snuggles, and that’s totally OK!

mom and baby — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

10. Not preparing for what is to come during labor (and postpartum!)

It’s hard to know what you need to prepare for in labor. There’s so many things to read and research, and it’s important to know what you want!

Do you want to have an unmedicated birth? Do you want all of the pain medications they can give you? What about cord blood collection? Skin to skin? Breast or bottle feeding? What is effacement, station, and dilation?!

You can read all about those things right here on my website, by purchasing baby books (though I honestly never read them…who has time for that?!), or by chatting with your doctor.