In my doula-ing days, one of my favourite ways to support clients was on the “labour walk” as it came to be known. The labour walk was best done outside, in nature, where the client could breathe fresh air and enjoy the calming effects of the quiet outdoors while labour established itself. The labour walk happened in any sort of weather – after all, weather is only a challenge if we are dressed inappropriately. 

During the labour walk, we would chat quietly between contractions, sometimes laughing, sometimes pondering, interspersing quiet reflection with conversation. As time went by and contractions strengthened, my arms would offer support. Partners were always welcome during this ritual. There were times when I would walk behind, there if needed, but encouraging the partner in their role. It gave the three of us an opportunity to begin our connection as a labour team. Sometimes we were accompanied by siblings or the family dog.

I well remember my own labour walks while waiting for my babies to arrive – several walks through the snow (and once through a snowstorm), another on a path along a creek in the early morning as the sun was rising, and one accompanied by my oldest child who rode his bike, circling around me, ensuring I was okay.

Now as a grandmother, I have walked the labour walk with my daughters and daughter-in-laws; through the woods, along mountain paths and rivers, and through quiet night-time neighbourhoods, knowing that with each footstep, a grandbaby was closer to coming earthside.

First and foremost, walking is an important and necessary tool for helping labour to progress while encouraging the baby to settle deeper into the pelvis. Walking during all phases of labour benefits both the birthing mom and the baby, helping the baby to position and descend with the rhythmical movement. Gravity works wonders on the cervix by increasing pressure from the descending baby’s head helping the cervix to open. During a contraction, women will stop walking and begin to sway, leaning forward, rubbing their bellies, resting their heads and bodies against their partners, responding to the innate desire to move through the sensation of the tightening uterus.

Walking can strengthen contractions encouraging early labour to move into active labour. Walking is equally important in an induced labour –  it is as if we are saying to the mother’s body as it is prompted into labour during an induction – “come along now, we are on the labour walk, and it is time to get this baby born”. We know that walking helps encourage contractions to establish themselves during an induction while also putting pressure on the cervix to help with softening and opening. The labour walk works even when doing laps around a hospital or a birthing room. It might mean bringing an IV pole on wheels along for the walk but that’s okay too. It’s all about the walk.

Think about including your own labour walk in your upcoming birth. Use the walking time to connect with your partner, your support folks, with nature and with your inner self as you prepare to meet your baby. Trust that you and the baby will benefit by walking – and for those of you who may be wishing that labour would begin – take a long walk!

Trust in your ability to bring your baby into the world,
Lenore Kilmartin