Product Review - Labor Lab

Posted by Kim:

As a new doula I have probably been going overboard trying to devour everything I can find about being a doula, doula techniques, the outcomes of births with vs. without doulas, networking with new doulas, interviewing and seeking out the advice of seasoned doulas (you get the picture here right?). I may be going a little overboard and my new doula bag may be packed (shall we say stuffed) with many I may never use, I have found one amazing item that truly gives me confidence knowing that it is in my bag as a resource: Labor Lab. Because one of my major goals throughout labor is to keep mom active and to help her manage her surges and find positions that help lessen the intensity of each surge, Labor Lab is the perfect resource giving me position suggestions, accupressure points, massage techniques and so many ideas on helping mom manage her labor.

Labor Lab is an easy, hands-on way to teach pregnant women and their support team, skills to enhance the experience of labor. The lab itself consists of 12, two-sided laminated cards packed with information as well as facilitator's guide with suggestions for use. Each card contains a labor situation practice, a question to discuss and various coping techniques. It is a wealth of information, but the thing I love about it the most is that along with the descriptions there are practical real life pictures so you can actually see the position and why it is used. I often find in a long labor my mind is so driven by adrenaline and I get so pumped up that I can barely think and keeping these cards out as reminders not only gives me position suggestions, but it is helps to me remember to keep mom moving and change positions every 45 minutes or so. If you have the chance check out Laurie's website and I highly recommend purchasing the set.

They are great for childbirth educators too because they can easy be used to assist in creating labor stations when you are having a labor rehearsal and you can even purchase the Parent Booklets as a small, easy item to carry or as reference material in your student folders. The Lab costs only $45 and includes the 12 cards two-sided full color cards, instructor's guide and 1 copy of the Parent Handbook. The handbooks are a screaming deal at only $2.50 and both are available in English and Spanish as well as the fact that they feature moms of different ethnic backgrounds. In my opinion, it is a must have!

The Twelve Labor Lab Cards include:

• Advantages and disadvantages of
  • Standing
  • Leaning forward
  • Side-lying
  • Squatting
  • Walking
  • Semi-sitting
  • Back-to-back
  • Kneeling/Hands & Knees
• Coping with Back Pain
• Rotating a posterior baby
• Breathing Techniques
• Tips for riding in the car
• When to call your doctor
• What to look for when the water breaks
• Difference between 'True' and 'Practice' labor
• When to go to the hospital
• Using a 'Birth Ball' - positions and safety tips
• Aromatherapy
• Massage
  • Hands
  • Feet
  • Jaw
  • Hips
  • Shoulders
• Ways to progress labor
• Acupressure points to
  • help nausea,
  • decrease pain, and
  • increase contraction strength
• Dealing with panic
• Creating an ideal labor environment
• Suggestions for encouragement and coaching phrases
• Ideas for cooling off or warming up during labor
• Signs and how to help with hyperventilation
• Ways to help with nausea or vomitting
• Pictures of
  • single women
  • married couples
  • women with labor companions
  • hospital settings
  • home environments
  • people of different ethnicities

About the Creator

Laurie Boyer is a certified childbirth educator, massage therapist, and labor doula. She has been active in the childbirth field for over 20 years. In an effort to keep her childbirth classes a "hands-on" and exciting learning experience for her students, she incorporated interactive learning stations to her teaching style. With the suggestions and ideas of many educators as well as feedback from class participants, Labor Lab evolved into the product available today. Her hope is to make a distinct and substantial impact on the overall experience of birth by providing Labor Lab to parents, childbirth educators, doulas, doula trainers and hospitals.