I DONT WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE!- A Look Into The Transition Phase

Feeling like you've hit a wall and declaring, "I don’t want to do this anymore," is a familiar sentiment for many during the transition phase of labor.

As you approach the transition phase of labor, a critical stage that spans from when the cervix dilates from 7 to 10 cm, your body undergoes significant changes. During this period, often considered the most intense part of labor, the cervix completes its dilation over the baby’s head, preparing for delivery. A notable surge in adrenaline occurs, which signals a pivotal shift in the activity of the uterine muscles. The long vertical muscles that have been contracting during the earlier stage of labor now give way to the round horizontal muscles. These muscles will facilitate the descent and rotation of the baby as you move closer to the pushing stage. This transition is not only a physical transformation marked by hormonal fluctuations and muscle reorientation but can also be accompanied by a wide range of emotional responses as the body prepares to welcome the new life..

For some, after hours of labor, riding the waves of oxytocin and endorphins, the adrenaline surge offers a gentle pause in labor —a "rest and be thankful" interlude. It's a moment for your body to gather strength before the hardwork of bringing your baby earth side. If the call for rest happens, embrace it – relax, release, breathe deeply, cuddle, dim the lights, and let the oxytocin flow.

On the other side, the rush of adrenaline may heighten your awareness of labor's intensity, inviting feelings of anxiety or panic. So often this could be the moment that you are now asking for all the drugs and have decided that actually you just have had enough and really don’t want to do this anymore. This is when you might feel more comfortable closer to the floor and find that you are starting to vocalise and perhaps make full on guttural and primal sounds. This is the juncture where the thought of asking for pain relief or expressing a desire to be done with it all might cross your mind. It's also the moment when experienced birth support providers, like midwives and doulas, exchange knowing glances because they understand that baby is on the way out.

When you find yourself in transition, what can your partners do to support you? They can offer verbal reassurance, remind you to relax your jaw and vocalize if needed, provide cold or warm washcloths, apply counter pressure or massage, engage in any coping mechanisms you have been using and do them with you, encourage you to visualize meeting the baby, keep baby's clothes visible, and offer firmer, grounding touches.

Every birthing experience is unique, so how did you navigate through your transition phase?