08/31/2026
The machine behind labor contraction and delivery is: ✨ THE BRAIN ✨
The brain is responsible for releasing and balancing all of the hormones involved in the labor & delivery process (it’s not just oxytocin alone).
The 🧠 goes through a specific process that can be affected by many things: how your body responds, baby’s involvement, your birth environment, your state of mind & your feelings.
Positive attitudes towards birth & even inductions tends to lead to positive outcomes. While negative attitudes towards birth tend to lead to complications & negative outcomes.
Your labor & body responds to HOW YOU FEEL!
👉🏾 Emotions & feelings that can make labor feel more painful, slow down or stall dilation (aka you dilate slow or stop dilating): fear, anxiety, panic, overstimulation, feeling unheard, feeling unsupported, feeling silenced, confusion, restlessness.
👉🏾 Emotions & feelings that help labor progress: trust in medical team, trust in your body, confidence, joy, being at peace, feeling supported & heard, feeling knowledgeable, under stimulated, rested.
As a doula, I see the difference in how the body labors based on how mom is feeling. This is why your birth environment is CRUCIAL to the labor & delivery process.
WAYS TO SUPPORT YOURSELF MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY DURING LABOR:
➡️Choose a medical provider you trust & that has a similar birth philosophy as you
➡️Choose a place of birth that aligns with your desired outcome & where you’ll feel supported
➡️Make sure your partner and support people are equipped to support YOU during labor
➡️Hire a doula
➡️Dim the lights where you are laboring: dark room = good for the brain
➡️Keep your birth environment peaceful & stress free (as much as possible)
➡️Educate yourself on physiological birth & induction methods to make decisions that will benefit you & decrease risks
➡️ Face your fears about labor before you get there
➡️Reframe how you see labor, delivery, vaginal vs C-section, medicated vs. unmedicated
If you want support in this area, consider:
• Taking a childbirth education class
• Taking a hypnobirthing class