Birth Prep Resources
.Here is a compilation of birth prep resources. I tend to reveiw breathing, positioning, perineal massage and pushing options as well as recovery strategies with women around the 36th week of pregnancy, but there is so much out there for you explore! Enjoy!
Supporting the Parasympathetic Nervous System (Anti-stress, rest, digest and have babies)
We want to encourage your body and mind to be as calm and comfortable as possible. When we are stressed or afraid our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) response diverts blood and oxygen to the limbs (away from the uterus) so we are ready to run or fight, and interferes with oxytocin (uterine contraction hormone) signalling because our body doesn’t want to give birth in what it perceives to be an unsafe situation. Some ways to help keep your body and mind as calm and relaxed as possible during labour so that your uterus and your baby can do it’s thing:
– try to keep breathing low and slow – humming, talking or shhhhh during contractions so you don’t hold your breath for long or tense up all your muscles; if you do tense up during a contraction, which is normal, then just regain your breath afterwards; check in with the jaw, hands and glutes as common places that people hold tension
– surround yourself with calming things – your own pillow, comforter/duvet, pictures, music, quotes, essential oils – anything you find familiar, calming and empowering
– talk to your birth team about predictable stressors and how to manage them, for example, who you don’t want in the room while you are labouring or having an internal exam?
– you should be able to be in what position is most comfortable and breathe however you want to during labour (this is research supported!)
– putting a warm compress (ie face cloth) on the perineum (area between the vagina and rectum) and applying pressure/doing perineal massage during pushing may help to decrease more significant perineal tearing – chat with your midwife or OB about this and who is available to do this for you during birth
– know that pain is an interpretation of signals from the body that your brain determines might be a threat – so pain during labour does not usually mean something is wrong, rather that something very different from your normal state is happening and the body isn’t sure what to do with those symptoms so draws your attention to them. There is a difference between pain and suffering. Pain and intense birth sensations during labour is normal, suffering with those sensations is not.
Evidence Based Birth is a great website resource for summarizing research re: labour and birth. For example, here is some info re: pain management in labour or positioning in labour.
Videos to outline some birth positions and strategies:
Video 1: reviews how to stay hydrated, minimize pain and push with an open pelvic floor
Melatonin (released in dim light/dark) helps promote oxytocin, the “happy hormone” which causes uterine contractions. Creating a calm, dark and comfortable place filled with love (humour, loving touch, cuddles etc) and minimizing stressful factors is a great way to support your birth hormones.
Doulas
We have very strong evidence that having a non-medical, non-familial continuous support person (ie Doula) to help optimize this during birth results in better birth outcomes and experiences for Mom, Baby and supporting friends/family. Here are some Doulas in the GTA:
Online birth prep and labour management course by Burlington Pelvic Health PT Robyn Synnott
Birthing in Awareness – one day 10am-4pm classes, often on Sundays
Life with Baby Preparation Class – one day 10am-3pm classes, often on Sundays
Prenatal Breastfeeding Class – one night seminar, 7-8:30pm
Childbirth without Fear – one night seminar, 7-9pm
The McWilliam Method – class series, 7-9:30pm
Informed consent in birth – you are an active participant in your birth process. You should always be given the pros, cons and alternatives to any medical treatment suggested. See this blog for more information on this topic.
Option for Acupuncture
Acupuncture points can be used at 36 weeks to help to encourage cervical ripening/softening, and then after the due to date to help to encourage labour.
Here is a link to an acupressure course by reputable Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Amy Dobbie