Let’s be real—no one walks into labor thinking, “I hope I wing it.” Whether you’re preparing for your first birth or your fifth, knowing how to cope with the intensity of labor makes all the difference. We’ve seen it time and time again: the folks who feel the most supported and grounded during birth aren’t necessarily the ones with a “perfect plan”—they’re the ones who know how to ride the waves when things get real.
At Brood, we believe that coping isn’t about being tough. It’s about being resourced. Supported. Held. It’s about having a toolkit—literal and emotional—that keeps you tethered when you feel like you’re floating (or flailing). That’s why our Pregnancy, Birth & Right After course includes a deep dive into real-world coping tools that you and your birth team can actually use when you need them most.
If you’re looking for a practical, affirming, and no-BS guide to birth that helps you prepare emotionally, mentally, and physically—our course is for you. Learn more and register here.
What Are Coping Tools—and Why Do They Matter?
Coping tools are the small-but-mighty strategies that help you stay present, ease discomfort, and move through labor with more rhythm and less fear. These are the things that let your nervous system exhale. They’re simple but powerful—and when you know which ones work for you, they can shift your whole experience.
Here’s a taste of what we cover in the course:
Breath
No fancy techniques needed. Just low, slow, steady breathing. The kind you do when someone you trust is breathing with you. Your nervous system notices, your body follows. This isn’t about performance—it’s about presence.
Essential Oils
Clary sage to strengthen contractions. Lavender to calm your mind. Peppermint to wake you up or quell nausea. Choose scents that feel familiar and comforting—you’re not trying to introduce anything new on the big day.
Touch and Massage
Continuous, firm pressure often hits the sweet spot. Light or tickly touch can pull you out of your zone, so make sure your support team knows what works for you. Massage and counterpressure can be game changers, especially for back labor.
Voice Experiments
Do you want a cheerleader? A quiet presence? Someone to count with you or talk you through each wave? Try it out ahead of time. What kind of support feels good to you? You get to choose the vibe.
Affirmations and Visualization
Think: “I can do hard things.” Think: cresting waves, opening flowers, or ancestral power. Your brain believes what you feed it. Use affirmations and visualizations to ground and guide you through.
Tools of the Trade: Rebozos, Labor Links and TENS Units
From rebozos that shift baby’s position and ease pressure, to labor links you can pull on during pushing, to TENS machines that help you stay in control of sensation—there’s a whole world of physical tools to explore. You don’t have to tough it out solo.
Hydrotherapy
Warm water = relief. A handheld shower on your back. A stool in the tub. A moment to breathe, float, soften. Water doesn’t just soothe—it often shifts the energy of the room in the best way.
Pressure Points and Distraction Tools
Combs in your hands. Spiky metal balls. Squeeze points in your palms. All of it can redirect your brain’s focus and help you manage intense waves.
Pain Management
From morphine to fentanyl to nitrous oxide to epidurals—every form of pain management is valid. You don’t need to justify it to anyone. Whether it’s part of your plan or a choice you make in the moment, your decision deserves support and respect.
We walk you through every option: what it feels like, how it works, and what you can expect depending on your birth location or level of access. (Spoiler: the epidural process takes longer than you might think—and we prep you for every step.)
What Makes the Brood Course Different?
This isn’t a sugar-coated, “just breathe through it” kind of class. We bring you what real birth looks and feels like—with tools, affirmations, and real talk from doulas who’ve been in the room for thousands of births. Our goal? To help you feel informed, ready, and rooted in your power.
Want the full download on how to cope with labor, navigate your birth options, and feel supported the whole way through? Join us inside the Pregnancy, Birth & Right After course.
You’ve got this—and we’ve got you.
