What Rest Has to Do with Labor (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

We don’t talk about rest enough.Not in our culture, and definitely not in conversations about birth.

But here’s the thing: Rest isn’t lazy. It’s not indulgent. And it’s not something you earn only after doing “enough.” It’s essential—especially in pregnancy and labor.

As a prenatal yoga instructor and birth doula, I see this all the time: people preparing for labor like it’s a marathon (because in many ways, it is), but forgetting that one of the most strategic, powerful tools available to them is simple, intentional rest.

Why Rest Matters in Labor

Labor is a demanding, physical event. Your uterus is a muscle doing the hardest work of its life, and your entire body is supporting that effort. But unlike a race where you sprint from start to finish, labor can last for hours (like a marathon)—sometimes even days. That’s why energy conservation is key.

Rest during early labor helps your body store up reserves for active labor and pushing. It helps regulate stress hormones and keep your nervous system in a calmer, more open state—one where oxytocin (the hormone that makes contractions productive) can do its thing.

And emotionally, rest signals to your brain that you are safe. You’re not in danger. You don’t have to be in control of everything. You can soften. Let go. Breathe.

So… How Do You Actually Rest During Labor?

The idea of “resting” while in labor might sound ridiculous - even indulgent, especially if you imagine rest as lying perfectly still in bed with candles lit and spa music playing.

But rest doesn’t have to look like that.

It might be:

• Lying on your side between contractions with a peanut ball

• Sitting on a birth ball while your partner squeezes your hips

• Swaying in the shower with your eyes closed and your breath slow

• Being guided through a grounding breath practice or gentle visualization

• Dropping into a Child’s Pose or supported reclined position that allows your body to melt

Prenatal yoga helps prepare you for this kind of rest—the kind that keeps your nervous system regulated, your body open, and your energy focused inward. It’s not about zoning out. It’s about being present and softened at the same time.

Rest is a Skill You Can Practice

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned (and seen over and over in my students) is that rest doesn’t come naturally to many of us. Especially not the kind that invites surrender. It takes practice—repetition—permission.

And that’s exactly what prenatal yoga offers: A safe space to practice rest. To learn how to find comfort in discomfort.To breathe deeply when your brain is telling you to panic.To stay grounded when you don’t know what’s coming next.

It’s not just about flexibility or movement. It’s about nervous system regulation. It’s about embodiment. It’s about creating muscle memory around the art of softening—so that when labor asks you to let go, you already know how.

Rest Is Not Optional—It’s Revolutionary

In a world that tells you to push through and keep going, choosing to rest is a radical act of trust.

And in labor, trust is everything.

Trust in your body.Trust in your baby.Trust in your ability to ride the waves instead of fight them.

So as you prepare for birth, don’t just build your strength. Build your rest, too.

Come practice with me in prenatal yoga—and let’s get good at the kind of rest that actually gets you ready for labor.