Understanding Labour Pain: What It Feels Like & How to Work With It?

As your expected due date gets closer, one of the most reassuring things you can do is have your birth caddie or bags ready to go. Not because birth can be perfectly planned (no one knows when labour will start), but because feeling prepared can help you feel calmer, more confident, and ready for whatever unfolds.  Although I am often one to overpack and overcomplicate something, here at Cosy Mama we love keeping things simple, cosy, and practical - and therefore I have created three different guides of what to pack depending on where you plan to give birth. Remember: you don’t need everything. Just the essentials that help you feel comfortable, safe, and supported. 👜 Home Birth Checklist Even when birthing at home, having a small basket or bag prepared makes everything feel smoother and less stressful on the day, also great for your birth team to know where all the important things you are you want in your birth space. Here are some of our non negotiables. For Birth: Lots of towels Drink bottle with straw Electrolytes Snacks (high energy & easy to eat) Hair tie Puppy pads of waterproof sheets Labour Supports: TENS machine (hire ours here) Birth Comb Acupressure Birth Orbs Massage Oil Homeopathic Birth Mix Rebozo Dim lighting For Baby: Warm receiving towels Muka or Cotton Cord tie Nappys Warm clothing  For Postpartum:  Disposable pads or undies Homeopathic Arnica Peri Relief Spray  For our full checklist you can find it here. 🏡 Birth Centre Checklist Birth centres often provide a beautiful middle ground - more homely than hospital, but still with medical support nearby. Packing is similar to hospital, but you can usually lean more into comfort items. Here are some suggestions of what we would pack, Mama:  Birth preferences plan Pillow (your favorite pillow) Toiletries  Drink bottle with straw Electrolytes Snacks (high energy) Peri Relief spray & bottle Silverttes Disposable undies/pads Birth Partner: Wallet/ID Phone charger Toiletries  Waterbottle & snacks Swimwear (if hoping into birth poo) Labour Supports (if using): TENS machine Birth Comb Acupressure Birth Orbs Essential Oil Massage Blend Homeopathic Birth Blend Speaker Fan Baby: Warm clothing (socks, beanie, merino/cotton bodysuit, 2way zip onesie) Blankets/swaddles Nappys/wipes Carseat For full checklist you can find it here. 🏥 Hospital Birth Bag Checklist Hospital births usually require a little more preparation, especially if you’re staying overnight for a few days. Here are some of the things we would pack. Mama: Birth preferences plan Pillow (your favorite pillow) Toiletries  Drink bottle with straw Electrolytes Snacks (high energy/easy to eat) Peri Relief spray & bottle Silverttes Disposable undies/pads Comfortable clothing Jandles for shower Birth Partner: Wallet/ID Phone charger Toiletries  Waterbottle & snacks Labour Supports (if using): TENS machine Birth Comb Acupressure Birth Orbs Essential Oil Massage Blend Homeopathic Birth Blend Dim lighting (Fairylights, battery operated candles) Handheld Fan Baby: Warm clothing (socks, beanie, merino/cotton bodysuit, 2way zip onesies) Colostrum (if any has been collected) Blankets/swaddles Nappys/wipes Carseat You can find the full checklist here. When Should You Pack Your Birth Bag? Most mamas aim to have their birth bags/caddies ready by around 34–36 weeks. This allows you to feel organised without the last-minute rush, and is especially helpful if baby decides to arrive earlier than your expected due date. But otherwise, pack when you feel it is right. A Gentle Reminder, Mama Your birth bag doesn’t need to be perfect or Pinterest-worthy. It simply needs to hold the things that make you feel safe, calm, comfortable and cared for. Birth is an intense and beautiful experience, and the smallest comforts like, a favorite pillow, your favourite lip balm, familiar snacks, pictures or comfort items that hold meaning  - can make a big difference in terms of how you then feel in your space. You’re getting so close to meeting your baby, and I am so excited for you to pack items that hold meaning and add comfort to the space you are birthing your little one in, all the best mama 🤍 Breathe, Surrender & Trust Your Instincts With love, Nicole - Founder  

A quiet birth tool that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves - yet for many women, it becomes a steady source of comfort and support during labour. What is a TENS machine? TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A TENS machine delivers small, steady electrical pulses through pads placed on the lower back. These pulses stimulate nerves and can help change how the body experiences and perceives pain. In labour, TENS is often used from early labour through to active labour as a non-invasive, drug-free form of support. How a TENS machine can support labour Labour sensations are intense, but they are also purposeful. A TENS machine doesn’t take the experience of labour away. Instead, it works alongside your body to help you manage sensations and stay present. Some ways a TENS machine can support labour include: • Interrupting pain signals - the electrical pulses can help block pain messages travelling to the brain • Encouraging natural endorphins - which are the body’s natural pain-relieving hormones • Providing a sense of control - having something you can adjust and use yourself can feel empowering • Supporting calm and focus - especially in early labour when nerves and adrenaline can rise Many women describe using a TENS as creating a distracting, tingling sensation that helps them focus on that and their breath rather than on discomfort. When is a TENS machine most useful? A TENS is often most effective when started early in labour. Using it from the beginning allows your body to build up endorphins gradually and gives you time to get used to the sensation, you can then adjust the levels and intensity as labour ramps up. It can be especially helpful: In early labour at home During long labours where conserving energy matters For back labour or posterior babies When you want to delay or reduce the need for medical pain relief Using TENS alongside other birth tools A TENS machine can work well when used as part of a wider support system, rather than as a stand‑alone solution. It can be beautifully paired with: Slow, rhythmic breathing Birth combs, Birth Orbs or grounding tools Movement and upright positions  Calm verbal reassurance from a partner A supportive birth environment Together, these tools help the nervous system feel safe - which is essential for labour to progress effectively. Is a TENS machine right for everyone? Every birth is different, and what feels supportive for one woman may not feel the same for another. A TENS machine may be a good option if you: Prefer drug-free pain relief options Like having something practical to focus on Want to feel more involved in your pain management Are preparing for a home birth, birth centre, or hospital birth It’s always important to discuss your options with your midwife or care provider to make sure a TENS machine is suitable for you. A gentle reminder Birth isn’t about enduring pain - it’s about feeling supported throughout the whole labour and especially during the intense moments. Tools like a TENS machine don’t replace support, reassurance, or care, but they can play a meaningful role in helping you feel calmer, more confident, and more capable as labour unfolds. If you’re starting to look into what you may need and doing some birth preparation, consider what will help you feel safe, informed, and supported - because that is where confidence in birth truly begins. If you are wanting to hire a TENS, we offer this service, check out Hire availability here. If you ever have any questions, I am always happy to answer them.With gratitude,Nicole, Founder - Cosy Mama This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your midwife or healthcare provider when preparing for birth.

Preparing for birth can bring up many questions - one of the most common being what will actually help during labour? Using birth tools with intention and to support you in the moments where it counts can make a difference to your birth experience.