We are honoured to have Sharon Loose spend some time and write a series for us about making your labour faster and easier, wow, yes we need this! The second part in this series will go live next week!
By: Sharon Loose
Several years ago I was asked to speak at the Calgary Baby & Tot Show. I said “sure of course what would you like me to speak on?” They promptly replied, “How to have a faster easier birth.” Well immediately I knew I would at least have people come to watch, because really who does not want to know that information. Luckily I was pretty confident I actually had something that fit the topic. Actually a lot of somethings. Here are some tips for a faster, easier labour.
POSITIONS
You have heard the drill, when in labour move around. Well do you know why? Let me explain, consider your pelvis is a puzzle that your baby’s head needs to navigate through. The inlet of the pelvis is shaped different than the outlet. Your baby’s head is shaped differently depending on how it presents, tilted, flexed, tucked, or turned. So if we can keep changing the shape of our pelvis through movement and positions the more successful baby will be navigating it’s head through. Sure you can have a baby flat on your back…..eventually. It just generally will take much longer and in doing so you are doing your baby no favours.
Some popular and successful positions are; hands and knees (especially great to relieve back pain), using the “birth” ball or exercise ball, nice supported squat position and pretty comfortable too. The toilet, this isn’t glamorous but it works. You are squatting and incorporating a lot of gravity and you are supported with a seat. Side lying, this is a great position when you need a rest. Just remember to keep your bottom leg relatively straight and your top leg bent and way up near your ribs. This helps your resting position still have an effective pelvis opening flair.
SUPPORT
Now I know that your partner can not and should not be replaced in your labour. Nothing can replace the strong emotional connection and love that you share. However let’s look at the facts, doulas make a difference! This added support can make your birth outcome that much better. The statistics don’t lie. Consider her your cheat sheet for pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum. Relax, when in doubt, the doula has it covered. This support is so great for the dads out there. They get to do what they feel comfortable doing in the labour process, have feedback, advice and guidance and know that they don’t have to remember everything by themselves. Good support can make all the difference.
Sharon is the owner of Calgary Birth Essentials, mother of 4 kids and has helped educate and support over 500 families having babies in Calgary and surrounding areas. Sharon has been a birth doula for 18 years and a childbirth educator for 14 years. Calgary Birth Essentials offers small group and private prenatal classes, birth doula services, postpartum support (both day and night time hours), breastfeeding education and lactation consultations.
Read part 2 here!
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