Kristin Eapen

Almost everyone has a moment in labour when they think "I can't do this" Not because you’re failing or you’re not strong enough, but it's often a point where the intensity of labour is so consuming that your brain starts looking for an escape. Most often, it's at transition when adrenaline kicks in, and you're almost ready to push! This is where preparation matters Instead of only preparing for how you want labour to go, prepare for what you want your support team to do when it gets...

Labor is an intense, transformative experience. It's important to start thinking about your 'toolbox' of comfort measures to help manage the sensations of labour. One tool that many people find helpful is a TENS machine, short for 'Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.' What is a TENS Machine? A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that sends mild electrical pulses through pads placed on your back. l These pulses work by: Interrupting pain signals travelling to the brain....

“Trust the process” is something many people hear during pregnancy, but what does that actually look like in a real, lived experience of labour? Trust is not about ignoring fear, silencing questions, or forcing yourself to feel a certain way. It is something that is built, layer by layer, through preparation, support, and an environment that allows your body to do what it is designed to do. Here is a grounded way to approach trust the process in birth: T — Team: Surround Yourself with Support...