One way I guide women through labor is by encouraging guided vocalization with open-mouth breathing. It is an unconventional comfort technique for difficult labor, and it works very well for virtually all patients. The woman makes low, moaning sounds like "ohh" or "ahh" while breathing deeply during contractions. This promotes relaxation and enhances oxygen flow to ease pain and stress. In my patients who use this technique, most of the time they feel more relaxed as the open-mouth breathing helps them reduce the tension that comes during contractions. However, some women don't like vocalizing or find it less effective. They prefer silent coping. I'd recommend this to L&D nurses; it's a good method.
I once encouraged a patient to sing softly through contractions, choosing songs that carried personal meaning for her. It shifted her focus away from the intensity of each wave and gave her a rhythm to follow. The act of vocalizing also promoted steady breathing, which kept her more relaxed than traditional patterned breathing alone. Her response was remarkable—she described feeling more in control and less overwhelmed, and the room took on a calmer atmosphere as her partner joined in quietly. I would recommend this technique to other L&D nurses, not as a replacement for established practices but as an option when conventional methods are falling short. Music carries both physiological and emotional benefits, and when it is patient-led, it becomes a powerful tool for comfort and resilience.