New and Traditional Childbirth Practices to Support You and Your Baby
Amy Mager MS, LicAC, BIrth Support, etc. 413.222.8616www.WellnessHouseNorthampton.com
Before Birth
Taking care to align your body so baby can be in a good position to prepare for the journey of birth.
Do do hip circles –
Your baby’s head is the heaviest part of her/him
Hip circles will help your baby get in a good position and be ready to apply pressure to your cervix to help it soften, ripen and open.
Bounce on a ball –
Get two so you and your partner can play games bouncing on the ball. Fun is good.
Laugh –
Watch funny movies. This relaxes your jaw and the muscles around your mouth which reflexively relax the musculature around your cervix.
Surround yourself with those who love you and support you.
You will not be the first person to have the following outgoing message:
“No, we haven’t had the baby yet. If we had, don’t you think you’d know?”
Listen and pay attention to you.
Is there anything you need to do before you feel safe to give birth?
Any task left you feel you just need to get done before the baby can come?
Just do it:).
Talk to your midwives or OB’s about your birth plan.
What is feasible? What can you set up that will work for your partner?
When you are in labor:
In early labor some women like to pretend they are not in labor and go about their day. Others like to:
- Walk
- Sit in or astride a hammock
- Sit and bounce on a ball
- Squat (with someone supporting you or nearby)
Do drink and eat when you are thirsty and hungry unless your provider has given you advice not to and why.
Use the tools of acupressure and massage (see the handouts) to support mom as she is willing to receive them.
Be vertical and rock those hips:). Hip circles and or squats can help baby move down and apply pressure to your cervix to support it to soften, ripen and open. Make sure mom is safe and supported.
Bounce on a ball if that feels better. What feels good to you?
Sing…walk and sing, or just sing.
Opening your jaw relaxes and opens your cervix.
Breathe softness down and down and down into your cervix. Breathe out through your mouth and let go of ONE thought with each breath that you are holding on to that you can let go of. Or, one place that hurts. Breathe in softness down, and down into your cervix.
Some women really like heat during intense contractions, some don’t.
Try different things to see what supports you – rest when you are tired and be active to move this baby down as is right for you.
After Baby is Born:
Get your precious one skin to skin as soon as s/he is born if that is possible – no matter how your baby is born.
Nursing as soon as baby shows interest. Signs that baby is rooting: opening the mouth, looking for breasts that might happen to be floating by, hand to mouth.
Resources:
- The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Childbirth by Henci Goer
- Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
- How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Robert Mendelsohn MD
- The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff
- Babies Remember Birth by David Chamberlain
- The Secret Life of the Unborn Child by Dr. Thomas Verny
- Birth Book by Raven Lang
- A Child is Born by Lennart Nielsen (photographic essay of life in the womb)
- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Faber and Mazlish
- Siblings Without Rivalry by Faber and Mazlish
- The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Mogul
- Pregnancy as Healing by Gayle Peterson PhD
- An Easier Childbirth by Gayle Peterson PhD
- Open Season: A Survival for VBAC and Natural Childbirth in the 90’s by Nancy W. Cohen
- The Vaccine Guide: by Randall Neustaedter
- Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
- After the Baby’s BIrth: A Woman’s Way to Wellness by Robin Lim CPM
- Bestfeeding by Suzanne Arms, Renfrew, et.al.
- Breastfeeding your Baby by Sheila Kitzinger
- The Breastfeeding Answer Book by La Leche League
- Cradle of Heaven by Vera Murshida Justin Corda
Contact your midwives or OB’s for more resources and DO ask for what you need. You also can contact me at 413.222.8618 or
Wishing you a blessed birth!