Do not massage the belly. It will not speed labour and can cause the placenta to separate too soon. (You already learned about premature separation of the placenta and late pregnancy bleeding. It can also happen too soon during labour.)

Labour can be more difficult when the woman is afraid or tense. Reassuring the woman that the pain she has is normal can help lessen that fear. Touch can help a woman in labour, but find out what kind of touch she wants. Here are some examples of touch that women often like:

A firm, still hand pressing on the lower back during contractions
Massage between contractions, especially on the feet or back
Hot or cold cloths on the lower back or belly (Figure below). If the mother is sweating, a cool wet cloth on the forehead usually feels good.

A warm wet cloth or a gentle massage on the lower back can relieve labour pain.