Penny Simkin's "The Three R's"

I recently had an "ah-haaaa!" moment in my understanding of women's coping in active labor. I prepared for my three natural births using Bradley Method which is very focused on relaxation. While this worked well for me until transition began, I struggled to understand why so many women cope best by pacing, vocalizing, rocking, moving. My sister-in-law Kati gave me the privilege of being present at her two births, and it amazed me how she found her own way of laboring that was not the relaxation techniques that Bradley teaches. It was so clear her baby dance was just right for her. And yet it confused me- it wasn't reclining relaxation, nor was it frantic or fearful in the least.

Well Penny Simkin has enlightened me! Her website has some fascinating reading (presentations, articles, and handouts) for doulas or other birth professionals. In "The 3 R's in Childbirth Preparation" she discusses the three primary characteristics of pain/stress management in women who cope well with labor. She writes,

"1) they are able to relax during and/or between contractions.
In early labor relaxation during contractions is a realistic and desirable goal; later in labor,
however, many women cope much better if they don’t try to relax during contractions. They feel
better if they move or vocalize during the contractions, or even tense parts of their bodies. It is
vital, however, that they relax or be calm between contractions;
2) the use of rhythm characterizes their coping style;
3) they find and use rituals, that is, the repeated use of personally meaningful rhythmic activities with
every contraction. "

Ohhhh! I feel a whole world has opened up to me in understanding labor.