Slowing labour down

Most pregnant women can’t wait for labor to start so they can get over the last hurdle and meet their baby. But for some moms, labor can progress too fast – for example in the car on the way to the hospital.

If you feel the urge to push and you need to slow labor down, here are some tips that may help:

- Get on all-fours and place your chin on the floor in front of you (yes, this should be possible in the back seat of your car!). Imagine there’s a candle in front of you and give three quick pants and one long blow as if you’re blowing out the flame. Repeat this until you arrive at your destination, or help arrives.

- Avoid positions where gravity might step in to help your baby move downwards – don’t stand, sit upright, squat or kneel.

-If you’ve a tendency to deliver quickly or have already had a baby (second and later labors tend to be faster) read up on what to do in an emergency home birth.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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