Hand Fan – Tools of the Doula Trade

Why a hand fan? Labor is hard work! The uterus is a huge muscle that usually contracts for hours on end during labor and burn lots and lots of calories, like working out. That’s why it’s important to stay hydrated and nourished during labor. It’s also important for birth companions to help the birthing parent stay as comfortable as possible while doing the hard work of giving birth.

As a doula I usually just throw a few things in my bag on my way to a birth, and the hand fan makes the cut every time. As labor progresses into transition (the phase just before pushing) laboring parents tend to become very warm. This is my favorite time to break out the fan.

For a birthing person who’s sweating, grunting, and contracting every couple minutes, a cool breeze can really hit the spot. The hand fan is a very simple and compact tool that can be picked up for $5 at World Market. Some other ideas that can help a laboring person not feel overheated during birth:

• Cold drinks and ice chips. Staying hydrated helps the uterus work more effectively, and reduces pain. Water, juice, and diluted sports drinks can help them stay cool, and supports the body in bringing the baby out.
• Shedding layers of clothes. By the time a parent is pushing, they have often stripped down to little or no clothing. It’s important to choose a birth space and an OB/GYN or midwife that a parent feels they can be their most raw, primal self in front of. One who will accept and even celebrate the signposts of labor progress, including loss of modesty.
• A cold washcloth on the forehead or the back of the neck can cool and soothe a birthing parent who is working hard. It also mean by nature that someone will probably be bringing gentle, loving touch while holding that washcloth on them. That kind of touch helps promote oxytocin – the hormone that causes contractions, and endorphins – the body’s natural pain killers.

What helped you stay cool when you were in the throes of labor? 

Nikki Shaheed CCE(BFW) CD(DONA) is a doula and Birthing from Within mentor who serves families in San Antonio, TX with her beautiful family. Nikki’s passion is preventing, and helping parents heal from birth trauma.