Labour shakes are something many people experience during childbirth, even though they’re not talked about much before labour begins. They involve sudden, uncontrollable trembling that can range from mild shivers to full-body shaking or teeth chattering. For some, it’s mild, barely noticeable, but it can be quite strong for others.
In this article:
What are the Causes of Labour Shakes?
The main trigger for shaking during childbirth lies in the dramatic changes happening inside your body as it prepares for and goes through birth.
- Hormonal changes: During labour, your body releases powerful hormones like oxytocin and adrenaline. These help contractions and keep you going, but the sudden rush can make your muscles tremble.
- Stress response: Labour is intense, and your body reacts just like it would in a high-stress situation. The fight-or-flight response kicks in, flooding you with energy that often shows up as shaking.
- Temperature shifts: You might shiver if you lose fluids, get dehydrated, or if the delivery room feels cool.
- Epidural or spinal anaesthesia: These can affect how your body senses heat, making it think you’re cold even when you’re not.
- Caesarean section: The anaesthesia and added surgical stress can cause similar shivering or trembling.
- Physical exhaustion: Labour works every muscle you have. When your body reaches its limit, shaking is its way of showing fatigue.
- Emotional factors: Fear, anxiety, or excitement release stress hormones that intensify trembling.
When Do Labour Shakes Typically Occur?
Shaking during childbirth usually shows up during certain key phases of birth:
- Transition Phase
Your body is working hard to get ready for pushing, and that effort triggers a rush of hormones like adrenaline and oxytocin. These hormones can make your body tremble even if you don’t feel cold.
- After Epidural
- During or After a Caesarean Section
- Post-Delivery Phase
How Long Do Labour Shakes Last?
How long shakes last differs from one person to another. For some, they last only a few minutes, while for others they can continue for 45 minutes or even up to an hour after birth. Most women find that shaking settles within one to two hours postpartum as the body regulates itself.
Severity of labour shakes:
- Mild: A slight shiver or trembling that is barely noticeable.
- Moderate: Visible shivering, teeth chattering, or small muscle tremors.
- Intense: Full-body tremors, uncontrollable shaking, or convulsions.
How to Manage Labour Shakes
It is often impossible to stop labour shakes completely once they start, but several steps can help make them more bearable:
- Use heated blankets for immediate warmth and to relax tense muscles.
- Try skin-to-skin contact with your baby to stabilise hormones and calm your body.
- Sip warm drinks like tea or hot water to feel cosy from within.
- Keep the room calm by limiting visitors and unnecessary movement.
- Take a quick warm shower if possible to soothe the body.
- Focus on steady breathing to help manage stress and lessen the trembling.
- Layer multiple blankets if needed to add gentle pressure that helps control shakes.
How Do Labour Shakes Affect You Emotionally?
During pregnancy and labour, your hormones affect your emotions too. The same surges that make your body shake can also cause mood swings, sudden doubts, or feelings you didn’t expect, even if you really wanted this baby. It’s completely normal to feel tired, insecure, or even a bit let down when labour doesn't match the picture you imagined.
Labour shakes, themselves are your body working overtime to get through birth. But if sadness, anxiety, or anger stick around for longer than the first few weeks, it could be a sign of postnatal depression. In that case, reaching out to your partner, doctor, family, or a therapist is really important.
Labour shakes are a normal part of the intense effort your body goes through during birth. Knowing why they happen and having support around you can make them easier to handle. They are temporary and just one part of the amazing experience of bringing your baby into the world.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on Labour Shakes: Why They Cause Trembling During Childbirth
- Can I take medicine to stop labour shakes?
No, labour shakes are a normal response of the body and usually do not require medication. - Are labour shakes painful?
Labour shakes, themselves are not painful. But they can feel uncomfortable or tiring.
