What does the term "labor support" mean?

The term "labor support" specifically refers to the assistance provided to the birthing person to help them cope with the physical and emotional aspects of labor, particularly during contractions. This support can include a variety of non-medical techniques such as breathing exercises, comfort measures like massage, and emotional reassurance. Doulas typically focus on creating a calming environment, facilitating communication between the birthing person and the medical team, and providing continuous physical and emotional support throughout the labor process.

While other options mention important aspects of the birthing experience, they do not directly address the role of labor support. Medical assistance during delivery and arranging post-delivery care pertain to clinical tasks typically handled by healthcare professionals. Emotional support after the baby is born, while vital, falls outside the definition of labor support, which is focused specifically on the labor stage of childbirth.