Crowning and Birth
- Baby’s head no longer retreats between contractions
- Head is visible
- May feel burning and stretching – this is ok – it’s your tissues dilating and stretching so they don’t tear
Possible Emotional Responses During Crowning and Birth
- Confusion about the burning pain
- Fear of tearing
- Fear of the birth of the body
- Panic
- Trying to escape the pain
- Awe as the baby is born
- Relief
- Thankfulness
- Gratitude
- Exhaustion
What You Can Do During Crowning and Birth
- Touch baby as she emerges or catch her yourself
- View the birth in a mirror
- Enjoy skin to skin contact
- Celebrate a birth and labor day
