What is the definitive guide to managing labor pain according to Hilary Erickson?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse. Love this question, because labor pain is a huge worry for most people.

From my experience as an L&D nurse, there isn’t one single “definitive” method that works for everyone; it’s about building a toolbox and staying flexible. The big pillars I teach are:

• Prepare your mind: understand that every labor is different, and release rigid expectations
• Learn and practice coping skills: breathing, positioning, heat, movement, hypnosis, support people/doulas
• Know your medical options: IV pain meds, nitrous, epidurals, local anesthetic at delivery
• Manage fear and take it one contraction at a time, not projecting hours ahead
• Stay in your own space as long as it’s safe if you’re aiming for low‑intervention, and be willing to change plans if your body needs it

In my online prenatal class for couples, I put all of this into a step‑by‑step framework so you can choose what fits you and your birth.

Would you like me to walk you through a simple pain‑management plan for your specific goals (epidural, unmedicated, “see how it goes,” etc.)?