How about a labor tips thread ?

[JesiLynne]

I figure we have a PP issues thread, a baby tips thread, an embracing the end of pregnancy thread. I think we need this one. I for one am very interested in what everyone else has to say. I personally am very nervous about this labor, I am not sure why. Not scared just nervous.

Anyone ?

[monkaha]

:

[LionTigerBear]

Here is the weird epiphany I have had this pregnancy, regarding labor. This will be my third.

Bear with me, this isn't very-- accepted-- I think-- in mainstream society-- but I was thinking how much giving birth is like sex. And as I come to know myself better sexually, I come to understand myself better as a birther. There really are a lot of parallels.

The same things that makes me feel comfortable enough to orgasm, are the same things that make me feel comfortable and relaxed in labor. The same things that make me "shut off" and become unaroused during intimacy are the same things that make me shut down and start hindering the birthing process.

So for me, the keys to a better labor are the same things I would do prepare myself for a romantic evening-- and lots of them are specific to me. Smell affects me deeply so I have created ways to surround myself with good smells (I discovered I like the blend of clary sage and lavender. Mmmm.) Also, dim lights and candle light is relaxing, hot water, feeling warm in general (being cold is a huge turnoff to me), and I have to feel no emotional pressure to perform whatesoever. I hate feeling like someone is watching me or expecting something of me. Just being together is fine, as long as they have no particular expectations. Also, feeling like I look at least okay is important. If I feel like my hair looks ugly it makes me feel very self concious.

So those are the things I am focusing on this time.

I am using a clary sage, rose, and lavender aromatherapy spray that I made, whcih I will have ready for birth, and I also have a special flower essence blend, to help calm and relax and center me, and I also have a birthing necklace with special stones that have qualities designed for ease in birthing. And my hypnosis tracks and a soothing music cd ready, and an aromatherapy oil diffuser.

Just thinking about all of this makes me feel excited to give birth!

[cagnew]

Great thread! I can't add anything b/c I have never gone through natural labor.

Advice would be awesome!

[LionTigerBear]

Oh, I also wanted to share about the "belly lift" technique again, too.

The belly lift is designed for use with back labor. Back labor is not only caused by a posterior baby, it can also be caused by having a short torso comparataive to the size of the baby, which puts more pressure on the tailbone.

Pressure on the tailbone is painful-- always. It is different than the regular pressure of the ideal contraction, which places pressure around the belly and pushign down onto the cervix.

By removing the pressure from the tailbone you can make birth much mroe enjoyable and comfortable, even pleasurable. Also, when the pressure is pushing down on the cervix, as opposed to the tailbone, you dilate faster and the baby comes down the canal more easily, quickly, gently and comfortably.

So positioning is important. Try to get your baby into an anterior postion-- back facing out or slightly towards the side.

But for some women, specifically short women or women with a short rise, there can STILL be pressure on the tailbone even when baby is anterior.

So for those women with stubbornly posterior babies, and for those women who are short, the belly lift brings relief and a quicker, easier labor.

To perform the belly lift, when having a contraction, simply lock your hands together underneath your belly and gently walk your hands out and up, lifting your belly up and in. You can feel the baby's head line up over the cervix, and you should be able to feel the point of pressure change from over the tailbone to over the cervix. You are NOT pushing the baby down at all, just changing the way the baby is lined up, and letting the contraction push down.

If this doesn't make sense, the book "Back Labor No More" explains the belly lift in excruciating detail.

A warning: The belly lift really does make labor faster and easier. Some women who perform even just ONE belly lift give birth immediately-- within a few minutes. There are several accounts of women performing a belly lift at home and then trying to get to the hospital only to give birth in the car or the parking lot. So unless you are planning a homebirth or prepared for a homebirth, I would avoid doing the belly lift at home. Otherwise, lift away, any time past 37 weeks!

[LionTigerBear]

A youtube video from the ABC 20/20 special about orgasmic childbirth:

(Warning-- this video discusses orgasm in the context of birth so there is some sexual content-- might not be suitable with kids around. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfXT_dOiG30

[Jenivere]

Originally Posted by LionTigerBear

The same things that makes me feel comfortable enough to orgasm, are the same things that make me feel comfortable and relaxed in labor. The same things that make me "shut off" and become unaroused during intimacy are the same things that make me shut down and start hindering the birthing process.

I never looked at it this way but I think your right.

So important to me would be being clean as in having my hair clean at least. Having dirty hair really bothers me more than anything. Normally I wash my hair every other day to every three days to get used to less shampoo but I'm washing it every day now so I can go into labor feeling clean and comfortable.
Being warm.
Soft lights.
Not needing to worry about my kids.
Not feeling like there are any expectations of me.
Having my surroundings clean.
Very soft music with no words or words in another language.
None to little talking.
Pleasant smells. (my midwife is bringing her oil diffuser so I can put some orange in it for me. )

[k13]

All great advice!

All I can add is for me it is about "letting go" and going deep inside myself, not trying too hard to "control" what is happening but going with what I feel, not necessarily what I thought I should be doing or something. It takes a lot of trust in the "hands of fate" if you will, and the people around you.

I have a little surfing vision - "riding the waves" of the contractions, the contractions being like the big powerful ocean and I am along for the ride... or a rollercoaster

enjoy the endorphin rushes in between contractions - awesome
I got into that a bunch with my second labor, when I was trying to pay more attention to the whole process.

I'm all about the low moans - I like to curse and groan. I think there is a connection between the opening of your throat/mouth and the cervix/vaginal canal. Cursing just makes me feel better

I am excited for this birth (my third) I think the orgasmic birth thing is totally possible. Not that I'm saying it's not going to hurt...

I also like to think of it as a rite of passage, a trial of sorts. I get all pumped (Rocky theme here ) I try to take any fear and turn it into fierce determination...

You can do it