Full Moon's Daughter http://fullmoonsdaughter.com Healing Midwifery Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:09:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 A Mamma Working Hard http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/a-mamma-working-hard/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/a-mamma-working-hard/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:09:29 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=958 orgasmic-birth

]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/a-mamma-working-hard/feed/ 0 Birth Affirmations http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/birth-affirmations/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/birth-affirmations/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:57:34 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=954 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.


]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/birth-affirmations/feed/ 0 Hypnobirthing Language http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/hypnobirthing-language/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/hypnobirthing-language/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:48:36 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=951 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

]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/hypnobirthing-language/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 8 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-8/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-8/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:36:30 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=949 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
]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/03/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-8/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 7 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-7/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-7/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:31:03 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=947 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
]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-7/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 6 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-6/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-6/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:25:48 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=945 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
]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-6/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 5 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-5/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-5/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:24:35 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=940 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
]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-5/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 4 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-4/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-4/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:12:39 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=938 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
]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-4/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 3 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-3/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-3/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:22:39 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=934 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
]]> http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-3/feed/ 0 Labor & Birth Guide of What to Expect – Part 2 http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-2/ http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/2010/02/labor-birth-guide-of-what-to-expect-part-2/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:15:56 +0000 Courtney http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/?p=931 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)
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