Why Labor can and does stress you out!!

The process of labor and childbirth can be an extremely stressful event, causing potentially untold stress to both mom and her partner.

Why is it a stressful event?

Well, the underlying factor is that of the unknown! No matter how prepared and informed for the event an
individual is, you just can’t figure for the scenario which rears up just when you are thinking all is going so
well.

Labor is only judged to have been ‘normal’ in retrospect… after your child has been born. If you have had a birth which has not required any intervention, then it considered to have been a ‘normal’ event.
The reality however, can and often is, anything but normal. Perhaps much of the intervention in labor and
childbirth is down to the fact that we live in a world imbued with ever-increasing medical technology and personal injury/negligence claims. Obstetric professionals are constantly aware of their actions and inactions insofar as they may be on the receiving end of a claim for something which they have failed to do in reaction to a particular event during labor.

It is therefore so much easier to perform an instrumental delivery or cesarian section than to wait a while
longer and see how the labor ‘pans out’ and develops.

In the pregnancy which does not have any potentially serious complications, labor can be allowed to
progress of it’s own accord. The pregnancies which do have complications or medical conditions associated with them, are more carefully managed once labor begins or is induced. This is a widely accepted understanding, as it is certainly not wished to harm either the mother or the as yet unborn fetus, by allowing undue strain to be put on either during labor.

However, at what point does one allow the apparently ‘normal’ labor develop into the downright ‘abnormal’ labor… the labor which is going to require a degree of obstetric intervention?

Furthermore, are the individuals making the decisions about the outcome of labor basing their decisions upon clinical events, or are they thinking along the lines of whether they are likely to be facing a claim for having not done something about a ‘development’ which transpired during labor?

Healthy fetuses having developed throughout pregnancy in a fit and healthy mom, are remarkably resilient to the effects and progress of labor, whilst the numbers of cesarian sections are on the rise worldwide. Can these rises all be due to fetal distress, or can a good proportion of them be due to a ‘cut your losses’ mentality?

Back to the plot…

Many stresses during labor can be attributed to an ignorance of the process of labor, and how labor is
managed within the obstetric unit. Many units have a policy of having delivered the delivery accomplished
within a set timespan once labor has been confirmed to have started. The usual time span is 12 hours or
thereabouts, although this time span may be allowed to extend if all variables are satisfactory.

After this time, is is deemed likely that either the mom, or the fetus will start to become distressed with a
higher incidence of morbidity ensuing as a result.

If labor isn’t progressing (and this a key principle) according to a given unit’s criteria, then it is likely that
the labor will be ‘fiddled with’ in order to speed up the process and get the required result within the
timespan. No doubt this is also influenced by the need for many units to maintain throughput of individuals in their delivery rooms.

But does ‘one size fit all’ in such cases?

Absolutely not! Individuals are, well, individuals… they have different needs and requirements during their
labors. Some individuals can withstand longer durations of labor without serious ill-effect. The fetus is an
individual also, and can take an awful lot of punishment through labor… they may just recover and carry on!

So, how can YOU reduce your stress levels in labor?

I would suggest the following:

1. Get yourself as much information as you possibly can on labor… it’s course, and potential events.

2. Prepare for your labor from an early stage.

3. Try to develop a ‘laid back’ attitude to labor and childbirth. Try not to have stringent ideas as to how your labor will pan out. Labor can, and often does change throughout it’s course.

4. Get yourself ‘Informed’ regards your labor and your courses of action in your decision making process. Informed Consent allows you more power and influence over your labor and your wishes.

5. Compile a ‘Birth Plan’, highlighting your wishes and concerns for your labor experience.

6. Get yourself a good, understanding birth partner to accompany you through your labor. He or she will be able to act as your advocate when you are tired, full of

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Water childbirth is becoming very popular. Many women are finding that is a great way to give birth. They say it is more comfortable, easier, and healthier. Water is known to help ease pain during labor, making a natural birth more bearable. It aids in keeping a steady pulse, stabilizing your blood flow and helps you to be more relaxed. It also helps the baby slip out more easily, helping quite a bit in managing pain and cutting back on labor time.

In order to decide if a water birth is for you, you will want to do some research. Those who are nervous about a home birth should probably decide against a water birth as, currently, water births are not conducted in many facilities. In addition, women who aren’t comfortable working with a midwife are not prime candidates for water birth. For more information, visit waterbirth.org or birthbalance.com.

The next step in planning a water childbirth is to find a midwife. Since water childbirth is still relatively new, many midwifes are not experienced and are reluctant to try it. If you are not able to find a midwife who has experience with water childbirth, try finding one who is open to it. With the proper research, you and your midwife can learn what is needed. Some women choose to deliver without a midwife, but you’ll want to make sure you are 100% comfortable and as educated as you can be if you choose to do this.

The next step in planning a water childbirth is to obtain a birthing pool. You have the option of purchasing or renting one. Renting one will cost a few hundred dollars, while purchasing one will be around a thousand. If you plan to use your birthing pool for multiple children, it is probably more economical to purchase rather than rent. You should purchase a birthing pool that can comfortable seat you and another person. There are also birthing pool accessories available such as booster seats, thermometers and liner patch kits.

You’d like effective pain relief during labor, but you’re worried about the side effects of drugs. You want your baby’s birth to be gentle and intimate, but you’re worried about the harsh transition from womb to world. What can you do? One powerful option is to choose a water birth for your baby.

Water Relieves Pain

Water eases pain. During labor water takes the weight off of your body and provides a gentle, equalizing pressure all over. You can fully relax between contractions, letting the warm water sooth your muscles.

When you are in pain your first instinct is to tighten up and escape the pain. This is bad during labor, when you want to relax and open. Water gently cradles your body and eases the pain, allowing you to relax your body and open for your baby.

You’ll also be able to change positions easily, because the water will support the weight of your uterus. This means you can lean back, lean forward, or squat easily. You will be able to find the position most comfortable for you and the position that will help you open the most for your child.

Water Helps Baby

The equalizing pressure of the water during a water birth allows your blood to flow freely. This means that your baby is able to get more oxygen and richer blood flow throughout labor and birth.

As your baby is born, he or she crowns at your perineum and then slides gently out. The water supports your perineum during crowning, reducing the chance of tearing. Your baby is cradled gently in the warm water, just as he or she has been for the past 9 months.

The feeling of cold air on your baby’s face is what triggers that first breath, so you can be assured that your baby will not breathe in the moment he or she is under the water.

You will pull your baby up immediately and enjoy your first glance at your child’s face. Your baby’s cord will float gently in the water, allowing the last pulses of blood to transfer from it and into your baby.

Babies born in the water are often sweet and calm, looking around the world that they have just entered. You can relax and enjoy your baby, using those first few moments to get to know each other and start your nursing relationship.

After the birth you and your baby can truly and peacefully enjoy each other. Your baby may be serene and calm after a gentle birth, and you certainly feel less sore. It is an experience you will reflect on for a lifetime and a wonderful start for your baby.

Many pregnant women spend allot of time debating if natural childbirth is for
them. It is such a decision to make for any expecting mom. Many women falsely
believe that natural labor will make them a better mom, when in fact that has
nothing to do with motherhood.

Having a child is not an Olympic sport, so no one will win a medal! The idea of giving birth with no drugs involved is very encouraging for some pregnant women, while other women want
to focus more on relaxing with pain medication. Getting an epidural or other pain management drugs will not make you a bad mom, it will actually allow you to relax and make your labor and much more
pleasurable one! Every labor is different, some being 1 hour with others being 24 hours or more. Every woman also experiences different levels of pain during childbirth.

Many women find comfort in the Bradley Method of childbirth. The Bradley Method of child birth was developed by Obstetrician Robert Bradley in the late 1965. The Bradley Method of child birth came from Dr Robert Bradleys belief that birth is a natural process, that women could handle without drugs or interventions and birth could be natural. For those interested in attempting a natural childbirth, the Bradley Method has helped many laboring women give birth naturally.

The Bradley method is a comprehensive program that includes instruction on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum issues. One of the other primary goals of the Bradley Childbirth Method program is to educate partners to be supportive and effective labor coaches. Breathing methods are emphasized as a coping mechanism to deal with the intense pain of labor. Mothers are taught to “tune in” and manage pain, instead of distracting themselves from it as other methods teach. The Bradley Childbirth Method class also instructs partners in effective labor coaching. Couples also learn about the different stages of labor and how to cope with the transitions between them.

Lamaze is also another alternative. Lamaze is a childbirth preparation method where relaxation, breathing techniques and informed decisions are paramount.

The Lamaze Technique is a natural childbirth technique developed in the 1940s by French obstetrician Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze
as an alternative to the use of general anesthesia during labor.The Lamaze mission is to promote normal, natural, healthy and fulfilling childbearing experiences for women and their families through education, advocacy and reform.

If you feel that the use of an Epidural or other pain relief medications are right for you, that is ok! You are the only one who knows what you can and can not handle. Talk with your medical professional and ask for his or her input. Your medical professional can help you make the right decision for you!

Supporting parents who are pregnant or want to conceive is both a privilege and an honor. This article presents three important ways in which you can provide emotional assistance to your clients.

Really tune into your client. The most important skill for birth workers—and helping professionals in general—is deep listening. Moms really want to be heard and understood, first and foremost. So when you work with a Mom, put aside any distracting thoughts of What do I need to get at the grocery store? or any feelings that get in the way of being present to your client in that moment. Your calming, sensitive presence is your best intervention and the most important tool in your birth bag. You will find that by calming yourself, you are assisting your client, as well. That’s what allows you to really tune into her needs: Does she want you to hold her hand or does she need some more space? Maybe she needs someone beside her physically, yet needs people to ‘back off’ energetically. Perhaps it’s actually unhelpful for her to have you count when she pushes; this might be another distraction, an external structure against which she must measure herself and her ‘progress’ or ‘competency’ to birth. By tuning it, you get an accurate intuitive measure of what will serve her best at that particular moment.

Match your client’s energy. When you match your client’s breathing and vocal tones, you attune with her at a non-verbal level. You create an atmosphere of peace, joy and strength. Without even having to say, Now I want you to breathe like this you are modeling optimal breathing for her. There’s this connection that happens on an energetic, non-verbal level. You don’t even have to open your mouth and give her instructions; that information is processed by the rational part of her brain. After all, hearing numbers pulls her out of her natural instincts. Instead, allow her to stayed grounded in the ancient wisdom of birthing that has brought generations of babies safely onto the planet. In matching her energy, you are also creating a sacred space that honors your client and allows her to feel safer and more authentic.

Ask permission to give feedback. Not only do women have a heightened sensitivity to smells, environmental toxins, and temperature changes during pregnancy—they are vulnerable to unsolicited advice, as well. Sure, pregnant moms need information; sometimes they don’t realize that certain choices could negatively impact the outcome of their pregnancy. At the same time, they get bombarded with different philosophies and a whole checklist of dangers. Need to take folic acid. Can’t eat tuna because it has mercury. Shouldn’t do this…it could hurt the baby. Shouldn’t do that…it might cause pre-term labor, etc. As support providers, we need to tread very lightly. Before giving advice, find out what’s really going on before jumping to a conclusion. After fully listening, first ask, May I give you a tip that might be helpful for that?. If she says it’s alright, briefly make your point. When she gives her consent first, she will be in a better position to receive the valuable information you have to offer.

It can be a tough job to work as a doula, midwife or other childbirth professional. And yet the rewards are great. When you support an expectant family with compassion and sensitivity, you serve as a positive influence for the rest of their baby’s life.