5 Things Making Your Labor HARDER (And What To Do Instead)
Everyone wants birth to feel as smooth and manageable as possible.
And while there’s no magic formula for a “perfect” labor, there are some common things that can unintentionally make the process harder.
So let’s flip the script.
Here are 5 things that might be making your labor more difficult—plus what to do instead, straight from a labor & delivery nurse.
1. Going to the Hospital Too Early
This one surprises people—but heading to the hospital too soon can actually make labor feel longer and more intense.
If you arrive in early labor (like around 2 cm dilated), there’s a good chance things might move slowly. And when that happens, interventions like:
Pitocin
Breaking your water
Early pain management
…might be suggested sooner than you planned.
Not because they’re bad—but because you’re already in the system.
What helps instead:
Stay home in early labor if it’s safe to do so
Labor in a space where you feel comfortable and relaxed
Know when to go in (based on your provider’s guidance + your situation)
Your home environment—your smells, your space, your comfort—can actually help labor progress more naturally.
2. Not Making the Hospital Space Feel Comfortable
Hospitals are unfamiliar. The lights, sounds, people—it can all feel a bit…clinical.
And when your body doesn’t feel safe or relaxed? Labor can slow down.
What helps instead:
Bring comfort items (blankets, pillows, photos)
Request dim lighting or fewer interruptions
Create a birth preferences sheet so your care team knows your vibe
The goal: make the space feel yours, even if you didn’t plan to be there early.
3. Staying Still Instead of Moving
This is a big one.
A lot of people walk into a hospital room… and immediately get into bed.
Totally understandable—but not always helpful.
Your body is designed to move in labor. And when you move:
Your pelvis shifts
Your baby adjusts
Gravity helps things along
What helps instead:
Stay upright as long as you can
Walk, sway, squat, lean—whatever feels good
Use movement to help baby get into an optimal position
Key idea: Movement for you = motion for baby
Even if you plan on getting an epidural later, take advantage of the time before it to stay mobile.
4. Pushing When Your Body Isn’t Ready
Labor is a team effort between you and your uterus.
But sometimes, especially when things feel intense (like crowning), there’s an urge to push—even when your uterus isn’t contracting.
That can:
Tire you out
Slow progress
Make things feel harder than they need to be
What helps instead:
Rest between contractions
Push with your contractions, not against them
Save your energy for when your body is working with you
That said—if your body is naturally telling you to push, trust it. But if there’s no contraction, resting can go a long way.
5. Waiting Too Long for Pain Relief (When You Need It)
There’s a lot of messaging out there about not getting an epidural “too early.”
And yes—there’s value in staying mobile beforehand.
BUT.
If you are:
Extremely tense
Holding your breath
Unable to cope with contractions
…waiting it out might actually slow your labor down.
What helps instead:
Use coping techniques that actually work for you
Stay as relaxed as possible during contractions
Consider an epidural if tension is stalling progress
Sometimes an epidural allows your body to:
Relax
Dilate faster
Rest (hello, epidural nap)
And you may wake up much closer to pushing.
Bonus: Your Support Person Matters More Than You Think
This one isn’t about you—it’s about who’s in the room with you.
The wrong support person can:
Distract you
Stress you out
Kill the vibe (fast)
The right one can:
Help you stay calm
Advocate for you
Support your coping strategies
Big difference:
Someone there to watch a baby be born vs Someone there to help you have a baby
Choose wisely.
Final Thoughts
Birth isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about setting yourself up with the best possible environment, support, and mindset.
Small shifts can make a big difference:
Stay home longer (if safe)
Move your body
Use support intentionally
Work with your body, not against it
