Moving in certain ways during labour is extremely effective in keeping the cervix dilating and speeding up labour and that is why we practice lots of active labour movements in prenatal yoga classes.
When circling the hips you are moving with the wave of the contraction rather than against it, encouraging optimal positioning of baby and opening of pelvis so baby can move more easily down the birth canal. Pain and contractions in labour have a purpose and movement helps us reduce the pain and work with the contractions. When we tense up we risk stalling labour. Movement helps the open and soften her cervix, stay calm and release lots of oxytocin, the body’s own natural love drug. The movements are soothing for the nervous system and are introverting taking a pregnant woman deep inside herself.
It is also important to rest between contractions and try noting your breath to help you rest and relax. As you inhale say in your mind ‘I am breathing in’, and as you exhale ‘I am breathing all the way out.’ This helps make your exhalation a little bit longer so your body now to relax.