Creating a Calming Birth Environment
Dim lights…
Low voices…
No unnecessary interruptions…
Why is the atmosphere in the delivery room so important?
A key part of our prenatal care plan is reviewing birth preferences with each of our clients. We want everyone on the same page when delivery day arrives—birth mother, partner, doulas, nurses, and providers. You might think the value of a calming atmosphere goes without saying, but in reality, it often needs to be intentionally emphasized. Many birth teams don’t fully understand the essential role of natural oxytocin. Oxytocin is the “love hormone.” It’s present during conception, during bonding, and it’s the very hormone that helps bring your baby into the world. Yet it’s common for staff to enter the room chatting, turn on all the lights, and jump straight into tasks—taking vitals, adjusting monitors, placing IVs—often loudly or abruptly, all of which shuts down production of natural oxytocin. When the environment feels stressful or overstimulating, labor can stall. Contractions may weaken, and the next suggestion is often synthetic oxytocin to “get things moving again.”
But consider this: would you easily get “in the mood” with bright lights, lots of chatter, and constant interruptions? Probably not. Birth requires many of the same hormonal conditions as intimacy—privacy, calm, and a sense of safety. The ideal labor environment is soothing and supportive: dim lights, quiet voices, your favorite playlist, gentle touch or massage, affirming words, and familiar or comforting scents. These cues tell your body, You’re safe. You’re supported. And when your nervous system relaxes, your natural oxytocin flows. Natural oxytocin doesn’t just strengthen contractions—it also promotes bonding, trust, and connection while reducing pain, stress, anxiety, and even blood pressure. These are the conditions in which birth moms often feel most empowered and in control. As your doulas, one of our core goals is to help you create and maintain an environment where your natural oxytocin can do its beautiful work.
