5 Hacks for an Easier & Faster Birth || Ditch your BRA?!?!

In today's video I'm so excited to share some simple changes you can start in your pregnancy and carry over into birth to help with fetal positioning, decreasing tension to help you birth be less painful, faster and easier! Did you try any of the tricks or plan to? Let me know in the comments!
Check out my instagram for more tips and tricks!
/ nursezabe

[@kylie5227]

I just had my first little one 4 weeks ago on Thursday. I honestly think the fact I was able to labor at home until 9 centimeters, and do most of it alone (husband was out of town for work, on his way home), was in large part to the labor toolbox videos and the reminder I had in the back of my head to keep my face relaxed. Thank you so so much!!

[@Nurse_zabe]

That’s amazing! Good work!

[@kelly1827]

Congratulations on your new name: [insert baby's name]'s Mommy 🥰. Your first name now ceases to exist LOL.

[@mariaannhayes3257]

Breathing, an eye mask, and having the nurse there to remind me how to breathe was what helped the most! Without the nurse reminding me to breathe I kept trying to have a panic attack lol! My contractions started at 37 w 5 days February 25th 2022 at 230am 2-3 mins apart right away. Headed to the hospital at 457am I was a 1. Hour later a stretchy 2 and barely an hour later I was a full 10 in triage still 😂 walked to the birthing room at 804am (the walking was amazing for pain relief who knew!) and delivered him at 819am! No epidural, no tearing. It was such an amazing experience and I wanna do it again asap!!!

[@Nurse_zabe]

That is so freaking fast!! I’m so impressed you were able to keep breathing. You are a rockstar!

[@monicataylor7414]

I really wish I could have a quick labor like that 😩

[@mariaannhayes3257]

@@monicataylor7414 I had twins in May 2023 and had my first contraction at 10 am twin a came vaginally at 128 and twin b was C-section due to failure to drop at 238pm. I just labor fast!

[@abigailfertal2678]

36 weeks and getting ready! What's interesting is that the horse lips is a trick speech therapists use with people who have vocal tension or voice disorders. You can get a similar benefit from blowing bubbles through a straw!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Blowing bubbles through a straw is my go-to trick to help people void after having a baby if they are having difficulty. That and peppermint oil in the toilet tends to help get the stream of urine started!

[@PrevostMusic]

I used the comb hack during labor and it was honestly what got me through 6 hours of unmedicated, very painful back labor pains. The labor nurse eventually asked "so I have to ask, what's with the comb?!" It was the one thing I had to have during every contraction!! Thank you so much for your videos, I so wish you could have been my labor nurse!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Literally love the comb hack! So glad it worked for you AND you gave that nurse another tool to give her future patients. 💗💗

[@rhiannachild6608]

Omg, the posture tip makes so much sense why my son was in OP position! My posture has always been in a hunched position even during late pregnancy.

[@monicataylor7414]

Yeah wish I saw this before my first baby. I’m 33 weeks with my second so hope it’s not too late to fix my posture lol

[@kathleenoconnell3777]

I think I’ve learned more from your videos than the childbirth class I’m taking 👍🏼

[@siancross8675]

I’m not even pregnant but hoping to be one day and I just wanted to say thank you for your lovely videos. You’re always so calming and informative. Really appreciate it! ❤️

[@Nurse_zabe]

Thanks so much for watching! 💗💗

[@martinadelvai4115]

I used to be terrified of labor and birth. I used to think that it is this horrible painfull thing that happens that I could do nothing about to help it be easier. With your videos you took my fear away. Knowing that there are things I can do and that my partner can do help so much. I was almost sure of not wanting children because of what I thought would be a terrible pain during birth. Thank you so much for all your videos, you help so many people with this channel! I'd love to hear more about things one can do at home to help labor get started from week 37+ if there is anything that can be safely done.

[@Nurse_zabe]

This makes my heart so happy!! If you go back on my channel to about a year ago, I go over all the things you can do that *might* help with labor. Good luck! 💗💗

[@martinadelvai4115]

@@Nurse_zabe Thank you, I must have overlooked it.

[@alexamunoz7943]

Brest pregnancy purchase I’ve made is a set of bra band extenders! No underwire is definitely the way to go :)

[@zalmandawi2]

I watched your breathing video and practiced before birth. Just before I had the epidural I started doing horse lip breathing and groaning helped so much! I looked and sounded ridiculous but it helped 🤷‍♀️

[@Nurse_zabe]

It really does help!!

[@Abbyls96]

Love this video!! I’m just about 36 weeks pregnant with my first baby. Any tips and tricks are very welcome. 🙂

[@Nurse_zabe]

Aw, yay! Good luck!

[@laceebrewer152]

You da bomb! 39 weeks and 4 days, ready for my moment!!!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Deep diaphragmatic breaths + singing sounds like a relaxed pelvic floor to me 😂

[@tymom9313]

Wow! I've never heard about giving room in the rib area!

[@SassyWinterFox]

What I'm hearing is sing my broadway songs and just be on the stage during labor...

[@Nurse_zabe]

Deep diaphragmatic breathing + singing sounds like a relaxed pelvic floor to me. We don’t call it a “labor song” for nothing!

[@floBar51651]

I wish there was a visual demonstration of these things for us visual learners.

[@bokstav4]

me at 41+3 today getting ready to go in for induction tomorrow... Never clicked anything faster.

[@Nurse_zabe]

Oh my goodness, good luck! Let me know how it goes. You are going to not be pregnant *so soon!*

[@kelly1827]

I hope your birth went well!

[@magnoliarose5910]

Thanks Nurse Zabe! 39&4 for induction tmrw with favorable cervix! Have been binging on all your videos for tips and tricks even tho my husband is an OB and his partner and clinic and L&D staff (and my pelvic floor PT, acupuncturist, and massage therapist/doula) have been and will be amazing! Still great to pick up tips from others!

[@kelly1827]

I hope your birth went well!

[@magnoliarose5910]

@@kelly1827 thank you! It went smoothly! just dealing with some health complications for me; but baby is good!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Sounds like you had an amazing team! I hope you feel better soon!!

[@devotedmaman]

I just discovered your videos a short time ago, and have been enjoying😊 I am expecting my 9th baby this November. Even though I've been through this many times, I think it's so important to prepare mentally for labor, birth and postpartum! Your videos are so great, educational, fun and encouraging! In my last pregnancy I had severe preeclampsia, IUGR, early induction that ended in an emergency C-section and baby needing NICU for a while. It was scary and complicated, so I am praying to avoid a similar situation.

[@Nurse_zabe]

I agree that it’s so important to prepare!! And last time sounded so rough and scary. Praying that it’ll be smoother this time for you and baby! 💗💗

[@_miao5825]

I am 20weeks today. Will definitely keep these in mind to go thru my contractions when time comes. Okay thank you!

[@Nurse_zabe]

You’re so welcome! Good luck with the second half of your pregnancy!

[@_miao5825]

Just found out that I maybe end up with c- section due to partial placenta previa. All i want is baby and i will be healthy. Will keep studying on how to help and take care of both of us

[@monicataylor7414]

I stopped wearing a bra and didn’t really put one on during pregnancy unless I couldn’t cover myself with a jacket or enough layers at work. Even when pregnant I have a small size B chest so can “get away with it”. Didn’t realize I was doing the right thing already lol

[@adrienne.erickson]

Does it make a difference whether or not mamas are vocalizing with the horse lips vs just blowing out air? Love your videos, thank you for what you do for the birthing community!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Both are totally fine and do a good job of keeping things relaxed. I find I’m more prone to make a little bit of noise while horse-lipping

[@struykfamilyfarm9587]

With my birth ball I sat on it with one leg on each side with my weight on my toes and leaned forwards with my arms on a table to steady myself and rocked from side to side and bounced through contractions.

[@Nurse_zabe]

Leaning forward is such a great position!!

[@rosem7042]

Weird... I always sat to one side when I was pregnant, or leaned/laid on one side. Also, for peeps in the IBTC, Duluth makes a crisscross style bralette that's unintentionally AMAZING for nursing/pregnancy. It's completely unlined, no underwires. Just cute prints.

[@Nurse_zabe]

Laying on one side it totally fine! And leaning back is ok in moderation. It’s just nice to be aware of you posture. 😊

[@yuliaandreyanova5]

Thank you thank you ❤

[@kaylacarter7961]

Can you explain if a tens unit is actually beneficial. I had terrible back labor with my first and I’m due any day now with my second and just want an easier, more relaxed birth this time with no epidural.

[@Nurse_zabe]

It honestly works the same way as a comb, but you can turn it up for more intensity than the comb. But you can’t use it in tub!

[@kaylacarter7961]

@@Nurse_zabe awesome! We had it last time but left it in the car and I felt really pressured into the epidural then I couldn’t do anything but lay in bed.. I was devastated that I couldn’t try any of the other pain management exercises I wanted to try. I went in thinking I could walk, do a warm bath or shower to help manage pain but ended up laboring in bed the entire time.. I had to be cathed 3 times due to heavy bleeding. Had a third degree tear.. My first go round was just so unpleasant.. praying for such a better time this go round!

[@ritarichman8111]

You mean, you don’t have to lay flat on your back during end of pregnancy and delivery 🤣🙃😍

[@Nurse_zabe]

Crazy though, right?!? 😅😂

[@hannahlouise3279]

I literally done everything 😫 my labour still 7 days 😩

[@TtheBaronesss]

First time mom and being pregnant... Are you able to go to the bathroom every hour if you receive an epidural? Thanks!

[@Nurse_zabe]

You are not! They will help make sure you empty your bladder. Some people can use a bedpan, but most will need a catheter that is left in or an “in and out” catheter several times during labor. Good news is you should be numb so it shouldn’t be painful!

[@TtheBaronesss]

@@Nurse_zabe thank you so much! And love your videos! 💜💜💜

[@christinet4951]

hi nurse zabe, would you be able to do a video on HELLP syndrome?

[@Nurse_zabe]

HELLP is an atypical presentation of preeclampsia which I’ve got a video on (and a ton of Instagram posts). My video talks about HELLP too!

[@SassyWinterFox]

Im 13+3 and so anxious to meet my little girl. I have no symptoms at all except my lovely girl gifted me hypothyroidism for the pregnancy (already so thoughtful). But what can I do to occupy my time. I like to read and have read everything watched everything to educate myself. I just need to get to the feeling movement phase so I feel like things are happening.

[@Nurse_zabe]

The feeling movement phase is so lovely! 💗💗

[@ritarichman8111]

Oh how I wish I was your generation 🥳🤩💛

[@Nurse_zabe]

It’ll be so interesting to see what we continue to learn and how recommendations will continue to change over time!

[@reneekuijpers5160]

Well… I was fully dilated in 2:35 hours en then pushed for 18 minutes. So this video is not for me. I think it’s physically impossible to go faster

[@NeshaCora]

Wow!! Was this your first baby?? 😮

[@reneekuijpers5160]

@@NeshaCora yes 🙈

[@NeshaCora]

@@reneekuijpers5160 omg amazing, i hope youre okay and it was a positive experience for you! congratulations on your baby ☺

[@monicataylor7414]

This is more for me who labored for 3 1/2 days and pushed for 1 1/2 hours lol. I’m jealous!

[@mamaraya8818]

Just saying.... I'd be ok with a bra burn 🔥 😅 No use fighting gravity at this point 😅

[@Nurse_zabe]

I feel that 😂😂

[@mamaraya8818]

@@Nurse_zabe unfortunately Victoria Secret still doesn't make bras in a size 34L (as in 34-Long)😅🤣😂🙃

[@Nurse_zabe]

Nope 😬😬😬

[@MsKatastrophenBarbie]

Need to remind myself to ditch the Poäng chair ( Ikea) when finally being pregnant.

[@Nurse_zabe]

Or just boost lots of pillows or sit forward in it. I used to film all my videos in the poang chair before we moved 😭😭