Are you afraid of birth, Mama? 80% of women express some kind of fear of childbirth, but ju
Are you afraid of birth, Mama?
80% of women express some kind of fear of childbirth, but just because it’s the norm, doesn’t mean it’s what’s best.
In birth, there’s something called the FEAR-TENSION-PAIN cycle that was fist coined by an OB named Grantly Dick-Read. He found that upper class British women were more fearful of birth, required more interventions, and resulted in a declining birth rate among the upper class.
On the flip side, he was amazed by the instincts of lower class women who tended to have seen other women give birth and were likely to give birth at home as opposed to hospitals. One conversation that changed Dr. Grantly’s approach to birth was with an impoverished woman who had just given birth. She was offered chloroform for pain management and her reply was, “It didn’t hurt, it wasn’t meant to, was it, Doctor?”
Dr. Grantly developed the theory that tension and pain is rooted in fear and creates this cycle in birth where women are afraid or the sensations, tense up when those sensations are experienced, and pain is excessively experienced.
This is a cycle that is so common today. BUT, It doesn’t have to be. Education and preparation can help you fall into a new cycle-
TRUST
RELAX
ALLOW
When you can trust the process of birth, your mind and body are able to relax and move with labor freely, allowing your body and baby work effectively and efficiently toward the ultimate goal: BIRTH.
So, if you’re feeling scared about birth, Mama, know that knowledge is power and nothing beats a team of people- no matter how big or small, to support you through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
𝐓 𝐑 𝐔 𝐒 𝐓 𝐑 𝐄 𝐋 𝐀 𝐗 𝐀 𝐋 𝐋 𝐎 𝗪
5 WAYS TO RELAX IN LABOR Did you know that a relaxed face can mean a relaxed pelvic floor? W
5 WAYS TO RELAX IN LABOR
Did you know that a relaxed face can mean a relaxed pelvic floor? Why is that important? Because baby has to pass through the pelvic floor which is a sling of muscles that sit just below the pelvis. A tight pelvic floor can mean a closed vagina which makes it hard for baby to come down and out effectively and quickly.
So to remedy that, do these 5 THINGS:
1. Unfurrow your forehead
2. Try horse-lips
3. Open your mouth to release jaw
4. Roll shoulders away from ears
5. Let your head hang down instead of strain upward
Doing all of these things during a surge will help the sensation be more manageable and will help your body open and relax to allow Baby to come down and out 🤍
4 RULES OF BABY WEARING 1. Knees higher than bottom (M shape) to promote hip development 2. A
4 RULES OF BABY WEARING
1. Knees higher than bottom (M shape) to promote hip development
2. Aligned spine
3. Close enough to kiss their head
4. Can see their nose to make sure their airway is clear
Do you/plan to BABY-WEAR? I swear by it especially when you have a baby that LOVES to be held, you have other children to care for, or just have stuff you gotta get done!
YOUR BREATH IS YOUR BABY’S BREATH Breath work is the foundation of relaxation in labor. When w
YOUR BREATH IS YOUR BABY’S BREATH
Breath work is the foundation of relaxation in labor. When we are stressed and anxious our breathing becomes rapid and shallow causing a decrease in carbon dioxide in the blood. This leads to feelings of more loss of control, fear, and stress.
Slow, deep, and purposeful breathing sows your heart rate and shifts the nervous system to a more relaxed and quiet state.
When mama is relaxed in labor, her surges are manageable, her cervix can open, and her pelvic floor is released to allow baby to be born.
So breathe with me
Breathe in... 2... 3... 4...
Breathe out... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6...
Breathe in... 2... 3... 4...
Breathe out... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6...
Breathe in... 2... 3... 4...
Breathe out... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6...
How do you feel?
4 WAYS TO OPEN THE MID PELVIS / ACTIVE LABOR Movement is magic in labor. During active labor
4 WAYS TO OPEN THE MID PELVIS / ACTIVE LABOR
Movement is magic in labor. During active labor your baby is navigating the middle part of the bony pelvis to make it down and out.
Using asymmetrical movements allows the mid pelvis to open to move obstructions away from baby’s head for it to slide on through.
1. Side-lying with lunge. Extend bottom leg so it’s straight and bend top knee to bring to the chest and elevate it using pillows or a peanut ball. Great with (or without) an epidural!
2. Standing Lunge. Prop one foot up on elevated surface and away towards that knee. 10x on each leg. Really using gravity to your advantage with this one!
3. Hip Dips on Birth Ball. Pretend you’re drawing the letter U with your hips and move them exaggeratedly from right to left.
4. Lunge Over Birth Ball. With one knee on the ground and the other foot planted in the front, relax upper body over the birth ball and sway to find comfort.
Bonus- walk up + down the stairs sideways!
💡TIP- BOOKMARK THIS AND SAVE IT FOR LABOR!
When you’re 9 months pregnant and spend every moment wondering when you’ll FINALLY be meeting y
When you’re 9 months pregnant and spend every moment wondering when you’ll FINALLY be meeting your baby!
Patience at the end of pregnancy is SO hard… I know! But waiting for baby to come on their own time and terms is usually safest and healthiest.
First time mamas usually go into labor around 41 weeks and 1 day. After the first, labors generally begin around 40 weeks and 3 days.
The best way to beat the hardship of waiting is to LIVE LIFE! Don’t put life on hold to wait for baby… do fun things + go on little adventures! Plan little things each day to look forward to while you wait for baby to come.
Now tell me: how far along are you and what’s your favorite part of pregnancy right now??
In order to make an informed decision you must have CONVERSATION + INFORMATION. The differenc
In order to make an informed decision you must have CONVERSATION + INFORMATION.
The difference between an empowering birth and a disempowering birth is the authority a mother feels over her body, baby, and birthing experience.
If you feel like your care provider is asking a question that you can only say yes to, you are not truly being offered the options you have and deserve. You ALWAYS have options which means you ALWAYS have the power to decide.
You have a voice, Mama, and it deserves to be heard and respected!
AMAZING visual from breastfeeding.dietitian on how baby gets a deep latch! It’s not always easy
AMAZING visual from breastfeeding.dietitian on how baby gets a deep latch! It’s not always easy, but it’s worth the work, Mama 🤍
Some things to keep in mind
1. Baby’s tummy on mama’s tummy.
2. Nose to nipple so when they open their mouth wide, their bottom lip stays below the nipple.
3. Lips flanged out like a fishy around the areola.
4. BREASTfeeding not NIPPLEfeeding. Baby should have more than just the nipple@in their mouth.
5. If the latch is painful, hook your finger in the side of their mouth to break suction and try again… YOU CAN DO IT!!
In two words, how would you describe breastfeeding?
Here are some ways to lean into the reality that you are BUILT TO BIRTH, Mama ✨Spend at least
Here are some ways to lean into the reality that you are BUILT TO BIRTH, Mama
✨Spend at least 5 minutes a day tuning into your body + body. Bonus tip: listen to the Built To Birth Guided Meditaions to tap into and harness the power of your mind to lead your body in the direction you want it to go- away from fear, stress, and tension and into peace, trust, and relaxation.
✨Learn about what an untouched + unhindered birthing process can look like and how to navigate decision-making if interventions become necessary. (I recommend the Built To Birth course and the Free Mini Birth Course… if you’ve taken either, comment something you learned down below!)
✨Discover the environment you feel safest and calmest in and bring those elements into your birth space.
✨Understand how your uterus, cervix, and vagina are DESIGNED to birth your baby safely and effectively and how to let them work in labor.
✨Listen to POSITIVE birth stories.
✨Heal past trauma and know that a redemptive and beautiful birth experience is possible for you.
What’s your favorite way to prepare for birth in pregnancy? Comment below 👇🏼
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#birth #holisticbirth #birthprep #birthpreparation #birthteam #birthdoula #lamaze #pregnancy #builttobirth #yourbirth #yourbaby #beautifulbirth #pregnancyquotes #birthaffirmations #pregnancyaffirmations #wildbirth
I get this question a lot… How do I deal with the negativity and strong opinions of people arou
I get this question a lot… How do I deal with the negativity and strong opinions of people around me when it comes to giving birth?
A few things- if they’re a stranger, you can try “Excuse me, I have to go.” That’s right! Just (kindly) leave the conversation.
If they’re a loved one, try to understand where they’re coming from. Chances are they’re projecting their experience, fear, or lack of knowledge onto you- it’s not personal. You can try, “I’m sorry that was your experience. That sounds really tough. I’m doing everything I can to help me have a positive birth experience which is why I’m making this decision.”
OR
“That may be your experience or opinion but the more I’m learning, the more I’m realizing I can do a lot to achieve a positive birth. Would you like to learn more with me?”
You don’t want to shun the person, but you DO want to get that negativity OUTTA HERE!
Where your mind leads your body follows. So educate yourselves, listen to POSITIVE birth stories (even ones that didn’t go according to “plan” but that left mama feeling empowered), and stand up confidently to the choices you’re making to bring your baby from womb to world!
Most hospitals carry PEANUT BALLS for mamas to use in labor. Here are a few ways to use them:
Most hospitals carry PEANUT BALLS for mamas to use in labor. Here are a few ways to use them:
1. Seated squat with elevated foot
2. Flying Cowgirl
3. Kneel + Rock
4. Side lying Lunge
📌Save this reel to help you remember these positions and check with your birth place if they provide peanut balls to use!
What are some other birth essentials you have? 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
Birth trauma impacts many birthing women today but the good news is, is that it can be avoided
Birth trauma impacts many birthing women today but the good news is, is that it can be avoided completely or at least minimized by addressing these three things:
🌿CARE - Women need to have continuous emotional, physical, and informational care from someone at all times. Without proper care, women can feel alone, abandoned, or unsupported. Choose a birth space and a create a birth team that will support you in all the ways you will need to feel safe and cared for during labor and birth.
🌿COMMUNICATION - A woman’s birth must be centered around her; her voice must be the most valued one in the room. That means care providers and birth team members must provide mama with the information and time to make the best decisions, from cervical exams, to labor augmentation, to cesarean sections.
🌿CONTROL - Mamas need to feel in control of their birth. Prenatal education, birth plans, comfort measures, and informed consent or refusal are going to help you feel in control even in circumstances that aren’t exactly controllable.
Birth trauma is in the eye of the beholder. If you have felt traumatized by birth, there is healing that can be found ❤️
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