To Be Held Doula Services
Labour Partner Handbook
A guide for the one who holds her hand, speaks courage into her ear, and stands beside her through every wave.
"She is clothed with strength and dignity." — Proverbs 31:25
Your Role
Your Job Description
- Emotional support — be fully present
- Positive feedback & verbal encouragement
- Reassurance through each contraction
- Loving words and physical affection (if welcome)
- Give praise after each contraction
- One contraction at a time — deep relaxation between
- Make eye contact and stay connected
- Anticipatory aid (water, cool cloth, position help)
- Firm embrace to help ground her
- Match her mood; meet her where she is
Before Labour Day
- Review all acupressure points and body positions together
- Pack your support bag and have it ready to go
- Set up a phone/text update plan so you can stay fully present at the birth
- Build flexibility into your schedule near the due date
- Know her birth plan inside and out — you are her voice
Acupressure — Getting Familiar
Practice locating each point on her body before labour begins. She will want confident, firm pressure in the right spot — not guesswork. If a point feels tender when you practice, that's a good sign. Press for 2–5 minutes per point during contractions unless you're using it for pain relief only.
★ Points marked with * are especially helpful for back labour & transition
Points at a Glance
| Point | Best Used For |
|---|---|
| Shoulder Point (GB21) | Pain relief, dilate cervix, helps pushing, vomiting |
| Hand Point (LI4) | Labour induction, pain relief, dilate cervix, failure to progress |
| Palm Point | Pain relief, distraction during contraction |
| Bum Point (UB32) * | Pain relief, back labour, transition |
| Hip Point * | Pain relief, back labour, transition |
| Shin Point (SP6) | Pain relief, posterior position, failure to progress |
| Ankle Point (UB60) | Pain relief |
| Sole Point (KI1) | Pain relief, calming during transition |
| Toe Point (UB67) | Malposition (repositioning baby) |
Point Location Guide
Shoulder Point (GB21)
WHY: Pain relief, dilate cervix, helps with pushing, vomiting, hiccups
WHERE: Highest point of the trapezius muscle, halfway between the shoulder bone and spine
HOW: Both sides at once, apply firm downward pressure — direction matters
Hand Point (LI4)
WHY: Labour induction, pain relief, dilate cervix, failure to progress
WHERE: Highest point of the fleshy area between thumb and index finger
HOW: Firm pinching pressure from above and below — point should feel tender
Palm Point
WHY: Pain relief, distraction during contraction
WHERE: Any crease in the palm — place comb bristles along the crease
HOW: Squeeze the comb into the crease during each contraction to create a secondary focus point
Bum Point (UB32) *
WHY: Pain relief, back labour, bum pressure, transition
WHERE: Fleshy area halfway between the hip bone and top of the tailbone
HOW: Both sides at once, firm pressure with heel of hand — great for baby descending or OP position
Hip Point *
WHY: Pain relief, back labour, transition
WHERE: Fleshy area of the bum just beside the hip bones
HOW: Both sides at once, press inward and upward toward opposite shoulder — fingertips centre, elbows out. Ask her to guide intensity.
Shin Point (SP6)
WHY: Cervical dilation, pain relief, OP position
WHERE: 4 fingers above inner ankle bone on the fleshy part of the calf
HOW: Roll thumb off the lower leg bone into the calf muscle with firm, deep pressure — alternate sides each contraction
Ankle Point (UB60)
WHY: Pain relief
WHERE: Halfway between inner ankle bone and achilles tendon
HOW: Pinch thumb firmly between bone and tendon — alternate sides each contraction
Sole Point (KI1)
WHY: Pain relief, calming, especially helpful during transition
WHERE: Fleshy area just under the ball of the foot in line with the 3rd toe
HOW: Both sides at once, firm thumb pressure deep into the point — use in the 'I can't do this anymore' moment
Toe Point (UB67)
WHY: Poorly positioned baby, slow or no cervical dilation
WHERE: Upper outer corner of the pinky toe
HOW: Press firmly with fingernail, retracted pen tip, or Q-tip — bilaterally or one at a time to help reposition baby
Comfort Measures
If labour pains become intense or labour stalls, try shifting position, breath, or focus. These tools work — don't hesitate to use them.
Breathing & Vocalizations
- Slow, full breaths through each contraction
- Light breathing at the peak
- Encourage moaning, sighing, groaning — it works
- Remind her: sound is release, not weakness
- Breathe with her to help pace her rhythm
Comforting Touch
- Acupressure (see guide above)
- Hand & foot massage
- Light stroking on arms or back
- Firm, steady pressure
- Criss-cross strokes on the back
- Holding, squeezing, hugging, resting touch
- Massage tools, tennis ball on sacrum
- Cool cloths on forehead and neck
- Bath or shower — "the liquid epidural"
Body Positions & Movement
- Standing, leaning, slow dancing
- Walking
- The lunge
- Kneeling and leaning forward
- Kneeling on one knee
- Sitting up or straddling a chair
- Birthing ball — sitting or leaning over
- Lying down, side-lying
- Semi-reclining
- Squatting or supported squat
- Lap squatting
Attention-Focusing Strategies
- Visual focal point, music, voice, or touch
- Visualization or guided imagery
- Inward focus; encourage her to go inside herself
- Take-Charge Routine (see next section)
- Count off 10-second intervals in contractions
- Count breaths together
- Chant, mantra, song, scripture, prayer
- Spontaneous rhythmic rituals — follow her lead
- Halfway mark alert: "You're at 30 seconds — halfway!"
For Back Labour
- Acupressure: Counter pressure & Double Hip Squeeze (Hip + Bum points)
- Positioning: Open-knee-to-chest, Hands & Knees, Pelvic rocking
- Lunge, Walking, Slow dancing, Abdominal lifting
- Hydrotherapy — Bath, Shower, Cold/hot pack on lower back
- Rolling pressure — massage tool or tennis ball over sacrum
The Take-Charge Routine
By Penny Simkin
When she hits an emotional wall — weeping, wanting to give up, unable to relax — this is your moment. Move in close. You are her source of strength until she finds her own again. Her despair is temporary. With you, she can pass through it.
Use this when: she is in despair · she wants to give up · she is very tense · she is in great pain.
Troubleshooting in the Delivery Room
Keep an ear out for these words. You have the ability to support a shift in labour with well-placed pressure.
Malposition
AKA breech, OP, Posterior, or "sunny side up"
Pressure Points:
- Toe point
- Ankle + Shin points
Dystocia
AKA stuck, obstructed labour, shoulder dystocia ("Dis-toe-she-ya")
Pressure Points:
- Hand point + Shoulder point
- Add Malposition points
Position: Hands & Knees immediately — this can help avoid a C-section.
Cervical Lip
AKA swollen cervix, cervical edge, swollen lip
Pressure Points:
- Shin point + Bum point
- Add KI 1 (Sole) to keep her calm
Ensure she is breathing easily and not pushing or grunting at all.
Back Labour
Due to malposition — baby pressing on the spine
Pressure Points:
- Hip point, bilaterally: "Double Hip Squeeze"
- Bum point, bilaterally: "Sacral Counter-pressure"
- Add Malposition points between contractions
You were made for this moment.
Your calm presence, your steady hands, and your love are some of the most powerful tools in that room. She is not alone — and neither are you.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." — Joshua 1:9
Greenville, SC · 405-305-7680