Category: Childbirth and Labor
Birth Affirmations
The below affirmations can be said during pregnancy, as a way to prepare for labor. Read through and pick ones that really resonate with you. Go back to this list as pregnancy advances, your likes may change. Say a few of these every day. It may feel weird at first, but continue saying them. Your body will remember these words as your labor your baby into this world. These affirmations have been gathered from many resources – I choose the ones I felt strongest about.
My baby is strong and healthy.
I trust my body.
My belly is full of light and love.
I am a strong and capable woman.
I have patience.
I have an open heart.
My body knows exactly what to do.
My baby feels my joy.
I trust my labor.
I am open to the energy of birth.
I embrace the wisdom of my body.
My body knows how to birth my baby.
I have everything I need.
I believe in birth.
Untapped sources of strength are available to me.
I trust my body to know what it is to do.
I welcome my coming labor as the perfect one for me and my baby.
I am an active and powerful laboring woman.
I feel confident; I feel safe; I feel secure.
I welcome this opportunity to grow and change.
My muscles work in complete harmony to make birthing easier.
My cervix opens outward and allows my baby to ease down.
I am a link in the endless chain of birthing women.
I fully relax and turn my birthing over to Nature.
I am willing to release my baby into the world.
I choose a gentle and natural birth.
I see my baby coming smoothly from my womb.
My breath is easy, deep, and full.
My baby will be born at the perfect moment.
I turn my birthing over to my baby and my body.
My body knows exactly what to do.
Each surge of my body brings my baby closer to me.
My body is wise and purposeful.
I am totally relaxed and at ease.
I can handle whatever comes up.
I trust my intuition.
I release my birthing over to my body and my baby.
My baby is safe.
I put all fear aside and welcome by baby with happiness and joy.
I love and trust my body.
I deserve and receive all the love and support I need.
I deserve a gentle, natural birth.
I claim my birthright for a wonderful birth.
I am a wonderful mother.
Hypnobirthing Language
One of the key components in Hypnobirthing is moving away from the medical language of pregnancy and birth and embracing words that invoke natural movement and transition. Below is a list of medical words with the Hypnobirthing alternative following.
Contraction – Surge or Wave
Coach – Birth companion or partner
Catch the baby – receive the baby
Deliver the baby – Birth the baby
Due Date – Birthing time
Water breaks – Release of membranes
Pain – Pressure / Sensation / tightening
Birth canal – Birth path
Pushing – Breathing baby down
Complications – Special circumstances
Mucous plug – Uterine seal
Bloody show – Birth show
Effacing / Dilating – Thinning / Opening
Transition – Near completion
Fetus – Preborn
Neonate – Newborn
Pateints – Parents
False labor – Practice labor
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 8
Placenta Birth
- Placenta separates from uterine wall
- This could take 5 – 90 minutes
- May experience painful contractions or none at all
Possible Emotional Responses to Placenta Birth
- Surprise that you still aren’t done
- Anger at contractions
- Engrossment for your baby
What You Can Do During the Birth of the Placenta
- Use your breathing during contractions
- Keep baby at breast to stimulate the release of the placenta
- Keep baby skin-to-skin
- Enjoy your new baby
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 7
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
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 6
Pushing
- The urge to push is uncontrollable and involuntary
- The same muscles you use to poop are the same muscles you use to push
- You will know when you need to push
Possible Emotional Response to Pushing
- Fear of tearing
- Anxiety
- Alarm at the sensations
- Thankfulness to be “doing” something
What You Can Do During Pushing
- Rest between contractions
- Listen to your body
- Voice any concerns or fears
- Ask for help
- Change positions
- Keep mouth open to allow your bottom to open
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 5
Rest and Be Thankful Phase
- May be able to rest for 5-30 minutes with no contractions
- Baby’s head has left the uterus, creating space inside the uterine cavity, leaving the uterus with more slack then ever before
- No urge to push
- Relief from pain
Possible Emotional Responses to the Rest and Be Thankful Phase
- Renewed energy, hope and trust
- More awareness of surroundings
- Ready to get on with it!
- Sense of humor may return temporarily
What You Can Do During the Rest and Be Thankful Phase
- REST
- Sleep – it’s money in the bank for when you start pushing
- Close your eyes
- Get in a comfortable position
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 4
Transition
- I’ve noticed that a lot of women really want to know when they are in transition. It’s important to keep in mind that you may not experience the outward signs of transition, so try to let your expectations go.
- Very intense and long contractions.
- Pain has usually peaked
- Starting to feel pressure on the vagina and rectum – feels like you are going to poop
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Urge to push
- Sensitivity to touch
- Cramping in legs
- Hot
- Cold
- Tired
- Anxiety
- Flushed face
- Hot flashes
Possible Emotional Responses to Transition
- Feel like you can never go on
- Loose control
- Crying and begging
- Can’t concentrate
- Overwhelmed
- Panicky
- Angry and afraid
What You Can Do During Transition
- Remind yourself how far you’ve come
- Change positions
- Employ comfort measures
- Breath
- Let go
- Surrender to the flow
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 3
Active Labor
- Contractions continue progressing and become stronger and longer. You are now unable to be distracted during a contraction.
- Contractions are now lasted 1 minute or longer and are coming every 4 or 5 minutes. This has been happening for over an hour.
- Peak of pain intensity is usually reached by 7-9 cm. That means if you’ve made it this far, you can do the rest!
- Water may release and you may see more bloody show
Possible Emotional Responses to Active Labor
- Fear that you can’t go on
- Serious and focused – no unnecessary conversation
- No small talk
- Letting go and giving in – this isn’t something you are in charge of
What You Can Do During Active Labor
- If leaving your home for your birth, this is when you would do it.
- Pee every hour
- Sip liquids between every contraction
- If you can, eat something light
- Focus on each contraction
- Relax your mouth and your bottom
- Be present
- Use comfort measures
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 2
Early Active Labor
- Contractions are becoming stronger, longer and more frequent
- May continue to see bloody show (mucus)
- Water may release
Possible Emotional Responses to Early Active Labor
- Almost certain that you’re in labor, but still unsure, which causes confusion
- Apprehensive or confident
- May focus on contractions too much. Save that energy girl!
What You Can Do During Early Active Labor
- REST
- If unable to be distracted during a contraction, take a cleansing breath at the start of a contraction and breath through each surge, using vocalization, movement or whatever feels good.
- Eat and drink
- SLEEP
- REST
- Brush teeth (you probably won’t be doing that again for awhile)
Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 1
Early Labor
- Early labor may last a short amount of time (usually just for moms who have already given birth) or several days.
Possible Signs of Early Labor
- Diarrhea
- Backache
- Cramps – Menstrual like cramps
- Nonprogressing contractions – meaning they don’t increase in frequency/duration and may go away
- Mucus in your underware – this can be a small amount or a large amount and may or may not be tinged with blood
- Water breaks – this is a rare and unusual way of beginning labor. It’s really more of a Hollywood thing.
Common Emotional Responses of Early Labor
- Confusion about whether you are in labor or not
- Mixed feelings
- May overestimate labor progress
What You Can Do During Early Labor
- Distract yourself from your contractions
- Do not time or pay attention to your contraction pattern
- Watch a funny or romantic movie
- Call friends that are positive and happy
- Invite a friend over to keep you company who will be a positive influence
- REST
- SLEEP
- EAT
- DRINK
- REST – you have a lot of work ahead of you
- Bake or cook if you like doing this type of thing
- Work on a project you pre-selected that you enjoy – knitting, scrapbooking, coloring
How to Use Comfort Breathing During Labor
During childbirth classes moms often ask if I will teach them how to breathe during labor. I find that most moms will instinctively find the breath pattern that works for them and there is no right or wrong way to do it. But below is what I teach in my class.
When a contraction begins:
1. Signal to your partner that a contraction is beginning by taking a deep breath in and then out. This cleansing breath is similar to a sigh and helps ready your body for what’s coming. Remember to release all your tension during this cleansing breath. For your partner: He or she will often notice that, even before your cleansing breath, your body involuntarily signals the start of a new contraction. This could take the form of a finger or foot twitch or a slight tow movement. Mom’s in labor have all sorts of subtle ways to alert their partner to what is about to happen.
2. Following the nice, slow cleansing breath you just took to begin your contraction, continue to focus your attention on whatever brings you the most peace – a focal point, an image, a place, the music, a shadow on the wall – whatever works for you. Continue breathing slowly through the contraction.
3. Combine your breathing with other comfort measures like moaning, whaling, making loud and low noises, swaying your hips, letting your body go, massage, hot or cold packs, shower – again, whatever works for you.
4. Your mouth is directly related to your vagina. If your mouth is tight and clenched, then so is your bottom. Try it – tighten and tense your mouth and try to relax your yoni – it’s just not going to happen. Now make a small “O” with your mouth and feel the difference in your vagina. So keep your mouth loose and relaxed during contractions and this will keep your bottom loose and relaxed as well.
When the contraction ends:
1. Take another cleansing breath to close out the contraction.
2. Move around, take a sip of water, fall asleep, give feedback to your partner – whatever you need to do in that moment. Try not to think about the next contraction coming, just focus on the present moment and believe that your body will be able to handle what’s next.
In these moments between contractions, don’t expect your body to fully relax. Don’t expect yourself to fully fall asleep. Hold no expectations for yourself.
Continue reading »Group Childbirth Classes – 4 Week Series in March 2010
Full Moon’s Daughter offers positive birth classes catered to all participants. Each class is limited to 5 couples to preserve the integrity of conversation and sharing. Our classes are hands-on, interactive, and designed to prepare you and your family for a new baby. Click here to view topics covered: http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/classes/#group-childbirth-classes
Classes are usually scheduled based on interest and season (winter, spring, summer, fall), please contact us to be added to the list of expecting parents scheduled to attend this class. Classes are held in NE Portland, off of 15th Street, about a mile north of Alberta St. If a group of friends get together to take this class, we may also be willing to come to your home for each session.
Cost of class is $125 – $150 per couple for 4, 2 hour sessions. Minimum of 2 couples, max of 5.
When: Sign up for March 2010 class sessions. Day and time will be determined by class interest.
Where: NE Bryant Street., Portland, Oregon 97211
Cost: The Childbirth Series is offered on a sliding scale, based on what each person can afford and ranges from $125 – $150 per couple.
Details: At each session you will receive evidence-based handouts about each topic, community resources to take home, potential friendship with other expecting couples, the safe space to share stories, concerns and questions and a group that will support you throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Supplementing During Pregnancy
There is so much information out there about what supplements to take during pregnancy and what can help specific concerns. First, I’m a big fan of every mom taking a prenatal. Unless you live on a farm and grow the meat and veggies you eat, then you aren’t getting enough nutrients. Even if you buy organic, nutritional value is lost from farmer to store (or stand) to table.
If you are not a fan of taking 6 large, uncoated pills a day during pregnancy, go for a one a day supplement. Something that covers the basics. Then if you need to add calcium or other supplements, you can. Remember, most prenatals have iron and iron and calcium don’t play nice together, so you will probably need to at least supplement some cal/mag on a daily basis.
Below are some supplement remedies for common concerns during pregnancy.
Body Odor
Liquid chlorophyll daily may help maintain body odor. Plus it’s a great blood builder.
Increase Energy
Yellow Dock root tincture has an energy-balancing effect and can be given to increase vitality if fatigued.
Insomnia
Vitamin B deficiency is associated with waking in middle of the night.
Skullcap tincture directly under the tongue or in hot water.
Can also eat a high protein snack in the middle of the night.
And please keep in mind that as birth approaches your body is preparing you for a new baby by waking you up every few hours.
Stretch Marks
Extra Vitamin E, Vitamin C w/ Bioflavonoids and zinc will help optimize the stretchability of the skin.
You can also try this nightly rub:
Mix the following in a blender, store in the fridge and apply every night
1/2c – virgin olive oil
1/4c – aloe vera
6 caps – vitamin E liquid
4 caps – vitamin A liquid
Take Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids – 2,000 – 4,000 in divided doses
Vitamin K Prep for Baby Before Birth
Boost Vitamin K at 34 weeks
Alfalfa Tea: 1-2 cups/daily or tablets: up to 3 grams/daily
Efficient Labor
All women can begin taking the following at 36 – 40 weeks to encourage an efficient labor
Cimicifuga: 12c, 1 pellet: Monday
Caulophyllum: 12c, 1 pellet: Wednesday
Arnica: 12c, 1 pellet: Friday
Timely and Efficient Labor
All women can begin taking the following at 38-39 weeks to encourage the timely onset of contractions and an efficient labor pattern
Cimicifuga: 30x
Caulophyllum: 30x
Alternating each remedy until a total of 7 daily doses are taken of both. Take this for 14 days and then stop.
Breastfeeding
Bone content can diminish during breastfeeding if Calcium and phosphorus intake is inadequate. Supplement and eat well.
References
Holistic Midwifery, Anne Frye
Nutritional Healing, Bach
Continue reading »What to Expect During Labor & Early Postpartum Workshop – January 10
What are the signs of early labor? Have you ever wondered what labor will be like? How will you handle it? What role will your partner, friend or family play in the birth of your child? What do you do with baby after he or she is outside your womb?
This interactive 4 hour workshop will cover the following topics:
- Birth plans and birth bags
- Natural and safe labor induction methods
- What to do once labor begins
- Early signs of labor
- Positions, breathing and other pain coping techniques
- Ways to keep labor progressing
- Partner’s role during labor
- Comfort measures
- Standard hospital interventions
- Pushing
- The first hour after birth
- Common newborn procedures
- Postpartum care
- Parenting
Call to be added to our list. There is a winter workshop scheduled for January:
When: January 10, Sunday – 1pm – 5pm
Where: NE Bryant St. Portland, OR 97211, This workshop, with some adjustments, can also be held as a private series in your home or another comfortable space.
Cost: The “What to Expect” workshop is offered on a sliding scale, between $75 – $90, based on what you can afford.
Details: You will receive evidence-based handouts about each topic, community resources to take home, potential friendship with other expecting couples, the safe space to share stories, concerns and questions and a group that will support you throughout the rest of your pregnancy. And maybe lunch, ask for details.
Natural Vaginal Birth
This baby is ready!
Childbirth Classes w/ Full Moon’s Daughter
What you can expect from childbirth classes with Full Moon’s Daughter:
Openness, compassion, learning, sharing, evidence-based information, resources and community.
Topics that will be covered in childbirth classes with Full Moon’s Daughter:
~ The physical, emotional and psychological aspects of pregnancy and labor
~ Nutrition, exercise and sex during pregnancy
~ How pain plays a part in labor
~ Partner and doula support
~ Birth plans and birth bags
~ Pushing and what that means
~ Hospital interventions and newborn procedures
~ H1N1 protocols
~ The first hour after birth
~ Breastfeeding
~ Life with a newborn
~ Insert your interest here
Who is Full Moon’s Daughter:
Full Moon’s Daughter was founded by a pregnancy, labor and postpartum holistic doula who is on her way to becoming a homebirth midwife. Courtney currently apprentices at a local birth center as a midwife and volunteers with Nursing Mothers Counsel. She teaches private and group childbirth education classes as well as special topic workshops throughout the Portland area.
Electrolyte Balancing Drinks
Back in March I posted a recipe for Cortade, a homemade electrolyte drink that I make and drink on hot days, after exercise or when I’m feeling dehydrated.
Nausea and puking in labor can often be helped with an electrolyte drink. No mom should ever labor without some sort of balancing drink nearby – labor is hard work and it takes a lot out of a mom. The below DIY recipes are from Anne Frye. These drinks can be drunk throughout labor or given to a mom to help balance her electrolytes and dehydration.
1t miso paste
1t lemon juice
1t salt
1t calcium (powder)
2c water
1t salt
1t baking soda
4t honey
lemon or lime juice to tatse
1 quart water
1/3c lemon juice
1/4t salt
1/3c honey
1T liquid calcium/magnesium
1 quart water
