Feeling safe in your birth environment

Why is a safe birth environment important for labour progress?

There are lots of factors at play when we look at how and when labour starts and what contributes towards ensuring labour progresses well and you feel safe during this process. There are a combination of multiple factors for this process to occur, more of which I’ll discuss in another blog post.

I believe it is important that women are educated on the physiology and mechanisms of labour and birth, to understand the many complex processes that occur, in order for you to know what is happening to your body before, during and after birth.

I feel this helps women feel more empowered throughout their birth with this vital knowledge of the changes that are occurring and how they can create that safe and calming environment conducive to birth. It is also good to share this with your birth partners so they also understand how they can help create a space where you feel safe and in control.

There is a lot of emphasis on creating an “ideal” birth environment all around us, such as having fairy lights adorned around the room, aromatherapy oils billowing out of a diffuser, a much thought out play list, positive affirmations on every surface and that without these, our birth environment will be less than ideal.

However, this is not the case, and whilst some or all of these seem important to some, they aren’t essential items needed. Your “ideal” birth space is wherever you want that to be with whatever that contains and the right birth team supporting you. Fairy lights and affirmations may indeed help you feel safe and focused but equally, may not help someone else. Whatever you envision may help, use it.

Creating an environment that feels private and homely, without being observed can help you feel safe. The love hormone oxytocin we know works best when you are in a dark, quiet, familiar and safe environment.

In strange places with people we aren’t familiar with, our bodies trigger our flight-or-fight response which stimulates the production of adrenalin and in turn, the blood and oxygen supply needed for our uterus to work effectively and comfortably is reduced, therefore working less efficiently.

During early labour (known as the separation phase), women are physically and mentally preparing to let go of everyday life, in order for her to move into established labour (the liminal phase). As already stated, there are a lot of complex factors occurring with the mother and baby simultaneously, even before labour starts and for early labour to progress, which I’ll explain more about in another blog post.

For early labour to progress to established labour, the woman’s parasympathetic nervous system needs to dominate. The contractions will then become stronger, more regular and the cervix will further soften and begin to be pulled open.

The hormones of oxytocin and beta-endorphins (both produced in the brain) will gradually increase to create an altered state of consciousness associated with established labour. This helps women feel safe so they are able to let go of the external world. This is a process that can take many hours or days (again I will talk about the different labour hormones in more detail in another post).

Birth partners can be extremely helpful during this time by helping you find and settle into a safe space to be able to “let go”. During this time, everything that is said and done can influence the experience and the physiology, this also includes the presence of others within that environment. Think about who you would want in your birth space and why. What would you want your birth partners to provide?

Birth partners can help minimise disruptions during this phase. If there are other children at home for example, making arrangements for them to be cared for by a family member or friend can help, to enable you to fully focus on your own needs and “let go”. A lot of women prefer to be on their own during this time and you may find comfort in having a bath or a lie down listening to some relaxing music or hypnobirthing tracks.

Remaining at home for your labour and birth will allow you more control over your birth space and environment. Choosing your birth team will also give you more of that control. If a hospital or birth centre is your chosen location to birth be mindful that the travel to an unfamiliar environment in early labour can result in contractions slowing down due to the stress hormones released (flight-or-fight response).

If you are transferring to hospital in established labour (liminal phase), the labour is much harder to disrupt as all the systems are in full swing. At this point in labour you will be in what’s known as an altered state of consciousness which helps protect the parasympathetic nervous system. Transferring into hospital at this time with an increase in oxytocin and beta endorphins will have a minimal impact on your labour.

To support a labouring woman’s parasympathetic nervous system during the early stages, it is important she feels free from pressure, anxiety and fear. How can we achieve this?

If we create an environment where the parasympathetic nervous system dominates, then the body will do the rest! If the sympathetic nervous system is tuned down then the adrenalin and cortisol decrease, allowing oxytocin to do its amazing work!

To achieve this, often all that is needed by the care provider is just their presence and being available. This doesn’t even have to be in the same room. Having phone contact in early labour and knowing your midwife will attend to you in labour when you need them can help you relax and feel safe.

Having a midwife you know and trust, who you have built continuity up over many weeks and months, who knows you and your birth preferences well and you know will attend when you need them without you worrying about staff shortages or meeting a new, unfamiliar midwife when you feel most vulnerable can help you maintain a relaxed state.

A known midwife at a birth we know isn’t possible for all, however there are still lots you can do to create a safe space at home or in hospital. What do you think you would need to help you achieve this?

Feeling safe at your birth is paramount to a positive birthing experience. As an independent midwife, my goal is to create a calm and secure environment for you during this special time. Through personalised care and open communication, I strive to ensure that you feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout your birthing journey. Your safety and comfort are always my top priority, allowing you to focus on welcoming your new arrival with confidence and peace of mind.