Childbirth Positions: Giving Birth On Your Back Is Just NOT COOL!

It amazes me everyday to see and hear about  women who lay flat on their back while giving birth!

http://naturalchildbirthworld.com/childbirth-positions/

Sadly, though it’s not their fault – it’s what they’re TOLD TO DO! Seriously, it goes against basic anatomy!!! …

You see our birth canal is actually shaped like a “J” … not a straight line (see diagram on the right) … The baby doesn’t just slide straight down and out. It comes down, then up and over the pelvis.

Look at the picture carefully and you’ll understand how that works. Actually, it seems utterly crazy to lay flat on your back with your legs up = expecting the baby to come out at all!

In fact, choosing to lie on your back as your main childbirth positions closes up your pelvic area by about 30%.

Plus if you think about it – you’ll also have gravity working against you. This means when you’re trying to push bub out, you’re pushing down and then UP before he comes out – Can anyone say CRAZY!!!!!

Plus, who the hell wants to do more work than they have to??? – Giving birth is enough of an effort by itself without some idiot telling you to lay flat on your back and open your legs!

** SIDE NOTE FOR CHOOSING CHILDBIRTH POSITIONS

If it feels natural for you and you WANT to lay flat and give birth to your baby that way, then go for it – do what is best for you. But I can suggest a positions that may be easier for you. If you’re a little apprehensive about how you’ll look in those positions – TRUST ME – You won’t care on the day!

So here’s a few childbirth positions you may want to try:

(NOTE: You may want to lie on your back or try other childbirth positions during labor, which can take a few hours, but these positions are to help you specifically in the “Birthing” or “Pushing” phase)

1) Squatting – You can do this on the floor, on a bed, in a birthing pool and use whatever support is necessary ie. bed head, hubby, doula etc. Women who use this position report feeling in control and comfortable in this position. It can help shorten the length of the birth canal, so the baby comes out easier – WOOHOO!

2) All 4′s – Many women (myself included) find getting down on your hands and knees is one of the most natural childbirth positions . It certainly helps in terms of gravity and also opens your hips wide, meaning there’s less pressure on you and your baby.

This can be done on a bed, mats on the floor, in the water or leaning over something like a yoga ball or bed head.

3) Kneeling – Some wome kneel on cushions or on a bed. They can be supported by draping their arms around their partners neck or leaning into a pile of pillows.

4) Lying On Side – Some women find they want to turn to the side to birth their baby. This is completely natural and can be assisted, by the birth partners lifting one of her legs to create enough space for the baby.

5) Birthing Stool – Specially made stools have been used for giving birth for centuries. They are shaped for the mother to sit on and then she is usually supported by her birth partner and/or midwives.  Some women find squatting too tiring on their legs, so a birthing stool is definitely helpful in this regard.

Tracey Rose is a journalist, natural childbirth educator, mother of two and author of “How To LOVE Your Labour: One Woman’s Journey From Freaking Out To Fearless Birth”

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Antidepressant drugs are murdering babies before they’re even born

Antidepressant drugs are murdering babies before they’re even born: SSRIs cause birth defects, miscarriages and complications

by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor

(NaturalNews) Big Pharma wants pregnant women to take prescription drugs, vaccine shots and even chemotherapy. It’s the latest insanity from an industry that kills more Americans ever year than died in the entire Vietnam War. And the latest science reveals that antidepressant use during pregnancy is causing babies to be born with physical defects – or sometimes not born at all because they’re miscarried.

This disturbing new science published in the journal Human Reproduction was authored by Dr. Adam Urato, obstetrician and chairman of thedepartment of obstetrics and gynecology at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Mass., and Dr. Alice Domar, a psychologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.

The study shows drastically increased rates of birth defects in children who are exposed to SSRI drugs (antidepressants) while in the womb. The risk of miscarriages also skyrockets with antidepressant drug use during pregnancy.

Study author Dr. Urato is also warning that at least 40 studies now link SSRI use during pregnancy with pre-term births.

The abstract of the study lays out the findings in clear language:

Antidepressant use during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, newborn behavioral syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and possible longer term neurobehavioral effects.

As The Telegraph reports:

The situation amounts to “a large scale human experiment”, according to Dr Adam Urato, assistant professor of maternal-fetal medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Drugs firms were overstating the benefits and underplaying the risks for the sake of profit, he claimed. Family doctors were failing to grasp the true dangers and tell pregnant patients of them, he argued.

Antidepressants double risk of babies being born with autism

“A recent study has further documented some doctors’ concerns that the use of SSRIs increases the risk of babies being born with autism. This particular research indicates the antidepressants double the risk,” reports DrugWatch.com

In addition, antidepressants offer no benefit to pregnancy outcomes! As stated by the study authors:

“There is no evidence of improved pregnancy outcomes with antidepressant use.”

In other words, antidepressants deliver all sorts of risks, but virtually no benefits, especially considering that even the psychological “benefits” of SSRI drugs are completely fabricated by the corrupt pharmaceutical industry which routinely fabricates clinical trial data.

Mainstream media tries to downplay risk

The mainstream media is, of course, incessantly running cover for the toxic pharmaceutical industry. That’s why instead of seeing headlines that warn about “birth defects” from SSRIs, you get headlines like this one from a local Fox affiliate:

“Antidepressants during pregnancy can be tricky”
(http://fox13now.com/2012/11/01/antidepressants-during-pregnancy-can-b…)

Tricky? The story then goes on to push the warped psychiatric “view” of these drugs, which is essentially that everybody needs to be medicated in order to be normal. And that includes pregnant women.

The entire charade is so sick and even criminal that it’s hard to even watch. If an herbal supplement were causing birth defects, you wouldn’t see the media reporting that decision about the herbal supplement are “tricky.” Instead, you would see the media SCREAMING about how dangerous and deadly the supplement was, demanding the FDA to take immediate action to ban the substance and pull it from store shelves.

But somehow, when prescription drugs cause miscarriages and birth defects, it’s all okay because the drug companies are involved.

Murdering babies is perfectly fine, you see, as long as Big Pharma and the psychiatric industry and pocketing some cash at the same time.

And don’t forget: Vaccines are also being pushed on pregnant women now, even though throughout the history of medicine pregnant women were always warned to avoid vaccines due to mercury toxicity. But suddenly, the authorities and the drug companies want to inject pregnant women with as much mercury as possible.

It’s not just mercury, either: As Natural News has just exposed in a shocking new article, even the CDC openly admits that today’s vaccines are made with MSG, mercury, formaldehyde and aluminum — on purpose!

And what’s one of the most common side effects of all these toxic metals and chemicals in vaccines? Spontaneous abortions, of course.

Sources for this story include:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9632588/Thousands-of-pre…
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/10/31/humrep.des3…

 

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The 40 days… Nifaaz or Baqwaas?

Where does the ’40 Days’ superstitions originate from? 

The blood that passes from a woman’s vagina after giving birth to a baby is called Nifaas (Postnatal bleeding).

The maximum period for this bleeding is 40 days.

What is the longest that nifaas (post-partum bleeding) can last?

Praise be to Allaah.

There is a difference of opinion among the scholars concerning that.

1 – Most of the scholars said that the longest that nifaas can last is 40 days; if the bleeding lasts longer than that then it is istihaadah (irregular vaginal bleeding) unless it coincides with her regular period. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and Ahmad, according to one report, and is the well known view of his madhhab. This was also the ruling given by al-Tirmidhi in his Jaami’, narrating from Sufyaan, Ibn Mubaarak, Ishaaq and most of the scholars.

2 – Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad, according to one report, said that the longest it may last is 60 days.

3 – al-Hasan al-Basri said that it may last between forty to fifty days; if it lasts longer than that then it is istihaadah.

4 – There are other opinions but these are cases of ijtihaad for which there is no saheeh evidence apart from the first view. It was proven that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The woman in nifaas should wait for approximately forty days.” (Narrated by Ibn al-Jaarood in al-Muntaqa).

Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah narrated via Massah al-Azdiyyah that Umm Salamah said: “At the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the woman in nifaas would wait for forty days…”

There is some dispute concerning this isnaad. Ibn Qattaan classed it as da’eef (weak) in Bayaan al-Wahm wa’l-Ayhaam, as did Ibn Hazm. Al-Haakim classed it as saheeh and al-Nawawi and others classed it as hasan.

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Istidhkaar, with regard to the maximum period of nifaas there is no opinion to be followed except the opinion of those who say that it is forty days. This is the view the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and there was no dispute among them concerning this matter. All other opinions are those of people other than the Sahaabah, and in our view no other opinion can be counted because the consensus of the Sahaabah is evidence for those who came after them. Usually everyone feels comfortable with their opinion; how could anyone hold a different view with no evidence from the Sunnah? This view is the correct one, and that is for a number of reasons:

1- It is the view of the Sahaabah and no one has the right to go against them.

2- It is essential in this case to define a number of days during which a woman may remain in nifaas; it is not permissible to ignore the view of the Sahaabah and accept someone else’s view.

3- This is the view of doctors who are specialized in knowledge of this bleeding. Their view coincides with that of Ibn ‘Abbaas and of most of the scholars.

With regard to the minimum length of nifaas, most of the scholars have not set any limit for that. If the woman sees that she is pure (taahir) – which is when the bleeding stops – then she should do ghusl and start praying.

Imaam Abu ‘Eesa al-Tirmidhi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Jaami’ that the view of the scholars among the Sahaabah, Taabi’een and those who came after them was that the woman in nifaas should not pray for forty days unless she sees that she is pure before that, in which case she should do ghusl and start praying.

Shaykh Sulaymaan ibn Naasir al-‘Alwaan 

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The Manners of Welcoming the New-Born Child in Islâm

by Abu Rumaysah
Children are a source of delight and an adornment for the world granted by Allâh to their parents, they give vigour to the hearts, joy to the souls, pleasure to the eyes. They are the fruit from whom good is to be hoped for when they frequently supplicate:
“Our Lord! Bestow on them your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small”
and they are the ones in every nation upon whom hope for the future lies, and they are the youth of tomorrow upon whose shoulders the call to Islâm is carried. Indeed Islâm has indeed elevated the status of children and has laid down manners for their treatment relating to all their affairs and each stage of their and from these are the manners for welcoming their arrival in this life.
Our Prophet (SAW) was a living example, educating, cultivating the Muslims upon the practices of Islâm, teaching them how to worship their Lord in the best of ways. But a number of Muslims have strayed from his pure teachings and have substituted that which is gold for that which worthless.
So here are the manners the Prophet (SAW) taught us with regards our new-born.
Encouragement to have Children
Allâh says, “So now have sexual relations with them,, and seek that which Allâh has ordained for you.” And the Prophet (SAW) said, “Marry the loving and fertile because through you, I will compete with the nations for superiority in numbers”(Abu Dawûd)
And it is important that the Parents bring up their children upon righteousness, so that the Parents will benefit from them during their lives and after their death. Allâh ‘s Messenger (SAW) said, “A servant will have his rank raised and will say, ‘O my Lord how has this come about for me?’ He says, ‘through your sons after you seeking forgiveness for you’”(ibn Maajah)
Know that what has preceded applies equally to both boys and girls, and indeed Islâm has encouraged the bringing up of girls, and Allâh condemns those that are distressed at the birth of a girl, and the Messenger (SAW) came elevating the status of this gift from Allâh ,
“whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood – he and I will come together on the Day of Resurrection (like this) – and he interlaced his two fingers”(Muslim)
Meaning in Paradise. So can their be a greater honour given to daughters?!
Giving the good news of the Birth
The near of kin who are anxiously waiting should be informed so that they can stop worrying and congratulate the parents and supplicate for the baby. Allâh mentions this good news being conveyed to a number of His Prophets, from them Zakariyyah of his son Yahya,
“Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in a private room (saying), ‘Allâh gives you glad tidings of Yahya’”
Giving the Adhân in the ear of the newborn
The first practice to do is to make the adhâh in the ear of the baby, so that the first words that the baby hears is the name of Allâh , and the kalima.
It is to be given straight after the birth, or very soon afterwards as he (SAW) did with his grandson al-Husayn, as is related by Abu Raafi’ who said,
“I saw the Prophet give the adhâh for prayer in the ear of al-Husayn ibn Alî when his mother Fâtimah gave birth to him,” (Tirmidhî)
It should be given with it’s usual wording in a voice which is audible to the baby, not so loudly that it risks harm to the baby or alarms it.
Only the adhân is to be given, not the iqâmah as well as there is no authentic evidence to support this. Giving the adhaan only is also the reported practice of the Khalî fah Umar bin Abdul Azîz. This is closer to the sunnah, and Allâh knows best.
The sunnah has not specified as to which ear it should be given, however the Messenger (SAW) used to love to do good actions starting from the right, so it would be more appropriate to give the adhân in the right ear.
The Tahnîk
This means to softening a date and then rubbing the palate of the new-born with it just after the birth or soon after. This is done by putting a piece of the softened date on the finger and rubbing it from left to right in the mouth of the baby. Ibn Hajr said, “if one is not able to find a dry date, then a fresh date should be used, and if that is not available then anything sweet.” (Fath 9/588)
It is not essential to chew the date rather it may be softened in any way. The action of chewing as reported in the sunnah was something specific to the Messenger (SAW) due to the blessings that Allâh had placed in his saliva.
It is done by the father or the mother or anyone from the People of Knowledge whose supplication is hoped would be accepted. So he should perform tahnî k and supplicate for the child as was the practice of the Companions.
Imaam Nawawî says, ” scholars are agreed upon the recommendation of performing tahnî k upon the baby after it’s birth.” (Sharh Sahî h Muslim 4/122)
Aaishah (ra) reports, ” new-born children used to be brought to the Messenger of Allâh and he would supplicate for blessings for them, and rub a chewed date upon their palate.” (Muslim)
Naming the child
The baby may be named on the day of it’s birth or later on the seventh day or past the seventh day, as this is what is clear after study of all the evidences from the sunnah.
It is the father or the mother who chose the name for the baby. If they differ amongst themselves then it is the father who has the choice, he may name it himself or give his wife the right to choose. The fact that this is the right of the father is shown by the principle that the child is ascribed and attributed to the father, as Allâh says,
“Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers, that is more just in the Sight of Allâh ”
It is also allowed for the parents to allow others to name the child, since our Prophet (SAW) used to name some of the children of his Companions.
The name should carry a good and praiseworthy meaning as the Messenger (SAW) said,
“On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and your fathers names, so make your names good.” (Abu Dawûd)
It is recommended to call oneself a servant of Allâh (Abdullâh) or the servant of any of the names of Allâh . Then it is recommended to name a child after a prophet, due to the hadî th,
“call yourselves by the names of the Prophets” (Abu Dawûd)
and the hadîth,
“a son was born to me this night and I called him after my forefather Ibraahîm” (Muslim)
Then it is recommended to name the child after any pious person in the hope that it will become like him/her. Then it is recommended to name by any name which has good meaning.
It is forbidden to name a child with a name that denote servitude to other than Allâh , for example Abd an-Nabi, Abd ar-Rasûl etc, just as it is forbidden to name them with names that are particular to the Unbelievers like George, Michael, Susan etc.
The names of tyrants and evil personalities should be avoided such as Fir’awn, Qarûn, Abu Lahab etc.. Likewise it is disliked to name with the names of the Surahs of the Qur’aan like ‘Taa Haa’ or ‘Yaa Sîn’ as is reported from Imaam Maalik and others. There is no authentic hadî th which ascribes the above two as being names of the Prophet (SAW).
The Aqîqah
After the seventh day of the arrival of the new-born, as a form of welcome for it and to give thanks to the One who gave the blessings, it is prescribed to slaughter a sheep. The Messenger (SAW) said,
“Every child is in pledge for it’s Aqî qah which is sacrificed for it on its seventh day, and it is named on it, and its head is shaved” (Abu Dawûd)
If the new-born is a boy then two sheep are to be sacrificed, and if it is a girl then one sheep. This is the position of the majority of the scholars and Companions. The Prophet (SAW) said,
“for the boy two equal sheep, and for the girl, a single sheep.” (Ibn Mâjah)
So it is permissible to sacrifice the male or female sheep or goat, and this is best. As for sacrificing other animals then the scholars have differed over this.
The sacrifice should be done by the father or a close relative, for our Prophet (SAW) performed the Aqî qah for his two grandsons. It is also obligatory to mention the name of Allâh over it while sacrificing, and if a close relative is performing the Aqî qah then he should add, ‘this aqî qah is the Aqî qah of so and so’ mentioning the name of the person on whose behalf he is performing the aqî qah, as is reported in the hadî th related by al-Bayhaqî.
The meat of the sacrifice may be distributed cooked or uncooked,, but it is preferred that it should be cooked as this leads to greater blessing as mentioned by a group of the scholars.
Shaving the baby’s head
On the seventh day after the birth the head of the baby should be shaved. So when al-Hasan was born the Prophet (SAW) told his daughter, Faatima (RA),
“shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver to the poor” (Ahmad)
The right side of the head should be shaved first, then the left as mentioned in the hadî th,
“shave, and he indicated to the right side of his head, and then the left” (Muslim)
It is not permissible to shave a part of the head and leave a part, as this was prohibited by the Messenger (SAW) as reported by al-Bukhârî. The strongest view seems to be that the head of the boy or the girl should be shaved, as is reported that Faatimah weighed the hair of her daughter (Muwatta) but the scholars differ on this, and Allâh knows best.
The shaving should be done after the sacrifice, and our pious predecessors liked to rub some perfume over the baby’s head after the shaving.
Then it is prescribed to give the value of the baby’s weight of hair in silver in charity, and it is recommended to give this charity on the seventh day also, but it is not necessary to do so, and may be delayed.
Circumcision
It is prescribed that the boy be circumcised, it is recommended that the circumcision take place on the seventh day, but it is obligatory to circumcise before the boy reaches puberty.

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How can water help relieve the pain of labor?

Water has probably been used since the beginning of time to relieve pain during labor. But recently it has become popular once again to use water in labor and birth. Certified Professional Midwife Nina McIndoe explains explains how water can help during labor.
Nina McIndoe

Your question
How can water help relieve the pain of labor?

The expert answers
Although it has surely been used since the beginning of time by laboring women, we are just recently rediscovering water as a very effective pain relief tool in labor. I personally lament the fact that I gave birth to my own babies between these two ages of enlightenment. As a midwife, I have seen over and over again the wonderful effect that water has on the course of labor.
Before we started using tubs and doing underwater births, we discovered if we encouraged mothers to get into the shower or bathtub during labor she usually handled the discomfort of her labor more easily and her labor seemed to move along at a quicker pace. It didn’t take long for us to “send them to the showers.” Very often, the next thing we would hear was “I have to push”!

Labor can be difficult and painful for many women, but the good news is that our bodies do not leave us bereft. Our bodies offer a reward for the exertion of labor — narcotic-like painkilling chemicals called endorphins, or bets-endorphins, that circulate in the blood stream. These natural opiates are also released during other forms of physical exertion such as running, cycling and sexual intercourse. Not only are these chemicals released by the contractions of labor, but according to research with weightlifters, the grimacing and grunting that many women do during birth release endorphins as well. The drugs commonly used to aid in childbirth actually interfere with your body’s ability to release these chemicals.

Most women relax as soon as they enter warm water. It lowers adrenaline and encourages endorphins. Also, positive sensations like warmth and stroking touch, sensations that give comfort, travel to the brain faster than negative sensations like the discomfort of contractions. Therefore the warmth from the water and its relaxing benefits override the negative effects of any of the pain and fear of labor.

Sometimes pain is caused through fear which creates tension and blocks endorphins. The use of water helps to break this fear-tension-pain cycle. The water supports the weight of the baby and eases the many aches and pains of labor and late pregnancy. The support of the water allows the mother to adopt any position which she finds comfortable and enables her to change positions easily. Many midwives use the tub in prodromal labor because often a mother can sleep in the tub when she cannot get rest any other way. Immersing yourself in deep warm water is the best!

Studies have shown it to be as effective at pain relief as an epidural, with no side effects! Our apprentice affectionately referred to her birth tub her wetpidural. Any use of warm water will help, even a normal bathtub, a shower or warm wet washcloths applied to the belly or back. I have know of many hospital births to go very well when the mom spends long periods of time in the shower

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Water Birth – Preparing For Birth in Water By Brenda Manning MIPP (Midwife in Private Practice)

Water Birth – How to Prepare For a Birth in Water

Firstly, you need to prepare your mind (this encompasses the issue of informed consent). Examine your own motivations, incentives and expectations for wanting a water birth. Ask yourself what made you decide to have a water birth and why – is it something you are doing for yourself or are you doing it because someone else expects you to? Remain flexible and let go of your expectations that you must birth your baby in any certain way. Examine how you might feel if your baby is not born in water. Get in touch with your own fears. Most importantly, develop and trust your own intuition.

Choosing a Tub For Your Water Birth

The tub should be big enough to sit in comfortably and deep enough for the water to come up to armpit level, so as to get an adequate degree of buoyancy.

Make sure that your tap adaptor fits the outlet you will be using. Clean the tub with a non-abrasive cleaner, then use 10% solution of bleach and rinse thoroughly.

Consider purchasing 2 hoses, of different colours, one for filling and one for emptying the water. Remember that the water rises by 3 to 4 centimetres for each person who enters the tub and allow for this as you are filling it. Fill the tub to 30 centimetres from the top, then add more water as necessary to avoid spilling over. Do a test run by timing how long it takes to fill the tub so that you already know this when your labour starts. Depending on how quickly you are progressing and how rapidly the tub fills, you may want to start filling the tub when labour begins.

The Water For Your Water Birth

Here’s some tips for the water in your tub:

The water should be clean: if its pure enough to drink, its pure enough to give birth in.
You don’t need additives, but a cup of salt per tub will prevent your skin becoming wrinkly and waterlogged.
Don’t add any essential oils if you are planning to birth in the tub unless you dilute them in 10 mls of milk first.
What Temperature Should The Water Be For a Water Birth?

The water temperature ought to be within 35C – 38C, depending on your preference. Adjust the temperature to your comfort. If the water is too cold, you will lose body heat trying to keep warm, you will become tense if you’re shivering and it’s thought that cold women don’t birth their placentas well. If the water is too hot you’ll feel drowsy, overheated, become dehydrated and as it dilates all your blood vessels. Your blood pressure will drop which can make you feel faint and you’ll have a greater tendency to bleed after the birth. If you just want localised heat, say on your back; use wet, hot nappies or hot packs whilst kneeling in the water. Use a cold washer if needed on your face, have a fan blow on you (turn it off for the birth) and suck ice.

The Birthing Room

The floor should be strong enough to support the weigh of the tub when full. The room should be large enough allow access from all sides. Heat the room to personal comfort, have heated towels and blankets for mother and baby ready.

What to Eat and Drink?

Drink to thirst. Ask your partner to remind you to drink at least 300mls of water every couple of hours to avoid dehydration, which can result in fatigue and a poorly functioning uterus.
Eating and drinking during labour has been shown to reduce the total length of labour by as much as 90 minutes. Eat light, easily digested food.

When Do I Get Into the Tub For My Water Birth?

Wait until you have a strong desire to be in the water. It’s best to wait until your contractions are strongly established. Some recommend waiting until you are at least 5cms dilated, since you want to save the pain relieving effect for the time you need it most – at transition. If labour slows down when you are outside the water, try getting into the tub as this might stimulate labour. If your progress slows down whilst you are in the tub, get out, empty your bladder and move around to stimulate labour. Often it is the CHANGE of environment that gets labour moving again.

What About Debris In The Water?

Use a sieve to remove any old clots, mucous, faeces or vomit from the water as soon as possible. But don’t spend lots of energy worrying about this. Remember that ‘the solution to pollution is dilution’.

Birth Positions For a Water Birth

Experiment with a variety of different positions while in the tub. Try kneeling, squatting, leaning, sitting or lying outstretched (face up or down. Use a snorkel if you like your face to be immersed). Some women prefer their partner to be in the tub with them to hold onto and act as an ‘anchor’ others prefer to be in the tub alone. Put folded towels, waterproof inflatable cushions or a rubber bath mat on the bottom of the tub to cushion your knees.

How Long Should The Baby Stay Under Water?

Discuss with your birth attendants ahead of time. Many people feel comfortable with the time that it takes the mother to reach down and pick the baby up herself (called rapid immersion). Any longer than that is not necessary. Remember that the great benefits of water are achieved as soon as the infant is born into the warm water.

How Does The Baby Breathe During a Water Birth?

The baby doesn’t breathe until after its face leaves the water and its skin comes into contact with the air or it is stimulated. Until then, the baby receives oxygen through its umbilical cord, as it has done during the 9 months of pregnancy. Sometimes the babies are so calm at birth it can appear that they aren’t breathing at all but they just aren’t crying. Their heartbeat will be normal and when you gently rub their back, blow on their face or open their mouth with your finger they will gasp.

What About The Placenta?

Some people choose to stay in the tub after the birth and bond with the baby. They should birth their placentas out of the water due to the ‘theoretical’ risk of a water embolism. This ought to be discussed with your birth attendant ahead of time. If the placenta is slow to come, get out of the tub, put a bowl in the toilet and the placenta will likely come out easily into the bowl whilst you are sitting there with a warm blanket or towel around you.

Could The Mother Get An Infection From The Water?

Dr Michael Rosenthal reports that there have been no incidences of infection in close to 1000 births that he has attended. I’ve certainly never seen one in the thousands I’ve attended. This may be due to the fact that in labour and birth the action is all moving down and out, not up and in. The concentration of bacteria in and around the vagina is well diluted by the water.

Will My Birth Attendants Get Any Infection I Have From The Water?

The infectious diseases we mostly concern ourselves with as birth attendants are Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV. The sheer volume of water these viruses are diluted in at a birth would render them negligible; no one has ever caught these from a waterbirth that we know of. It would take a much more highly concentrated volume of blood to seroconvert for the average well person with good skin integrity. Even so, open abrasions or cuts should not be immersed unless well covered with waterproof dressing (for both your sakes) and long veterinary gloves can be worn by accouchers if they feel they need protection.

(Daniels, 1986; Lichy, 1993; Harper, 1994)

The Many Benefits Of Water For Labour And/Or Birth

Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater ease and freedom to move spontaneously and to change position to aid in descent of the baby.
Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother and more oxygen for the baby.
Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion reduces opposition to gravity; supporting the mothers weight so that her energy can be used to cope with the contractions
Promotes deeper relaxation. As a woman relaxes deeply in water, her hormones are released and she starts progressing faster with more rhythm: labour becomes more efficient.
Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles, as it softens the vagina, vulva and perineum leading to fewer injuries to these tissues.
Water minimises the pain so effectively for most women that it reduces or eliminates the need for analgesia.
If analgesia is required it is in lower doses and is potentiated by the effect of the water.
Immersion is more safe and effective than an epidural.
Water stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibres in the skin. It blocks impulses from the pain fibres, known as the ‘Gate Theory of Pain’.
Facilitates a dysfunctional labour. Water can be an effective way to stimulate dilation of the cervix when the mother has difficulty progressing into the active stage of labour.
Water can reduce the need for drugs to artificially stimulate labour. Often, simply getting into the tub will result in dramatic and rapid progress to full dilation within an hour or two.
Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood pressure, immersion in water often helps relieve it. The effect is heightened if the room is darkened.
Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relive anxiety and promote relaxation. Water encourages women to let go and focus inward as labour progresses
Easier breathing. Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe without the mouth becoming dry and is helpful for women with asthma. Also decreases the tendency to hyperventilate.
Facilitates the second stage of labour. Many women are less inhibited in the water.
Many women experience rapid second stages, with the baby emerging minutes after the body begins pushing, also known as the foetus ejection reflex. (see Odent, The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding)
It reduces the ‘ick’ factor for some women and encourages both parents to touch the baby whilst birthing
Being in the tub reduces the possibility of intervention by birth attendants. Their visibility is reduced and they cannot touch the perineum or baby as it emerges unless the mother chooses to let them.
The ability for birth attendants to intrude is reduced. They are less likely to interfere with the actual birthing without the womans consent and willingness to move and allow access.
Skin to skin time is facilitated.
Initial breast contact is also easier to initiate as the woman is already naked.
The cord continues to pulse strongly for an extended period, resulting in baby receiving his full blood volume.
Birth in water is wholly a somehow softer, more gentle experience.
Resources: Daniels, 1986; Balaskas, 1990; Lichy, 1993: Napierala, 1994

Brenda Manning is an experienced and professional Midwife specialising in wholistic health care for mothers and babies. You can visit her website here. Become a fan of BellyBelly on Facebook or add Kelly as a friend (frequently adding articles and stories). You can also follow BellyBelly on Twitte

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A midwife’s perspective: Labor and birth in the water

Have you considered laboring in a soothing bath, or even an actual waterbirth? Midwife Jill Cohen shares her experience and some of the benefits of this natural pain relief.
Jill Cohen

The benefits of water
It was late in the evening. I sat staring into the fire, waiting as I often do for the phone to ring. Midwives frequently have a sixth sense about birth, and on this particular evening, my senses proved true — at 10:30pm the phone indeed rang.
At first all I heard was the echo of deep breaths and water running. I knew this was labor. Water and labor fit hand-in-hand for most laboring women. The shower or bath warms, secludes and relaxes a woman so she can open more easily at her own pace. It creates a womb-like environment in which a woman can feel safe. It may not take the pain away, but it enables a woman to cope through her intense sensations, relaxed and with least resistance, creating more comfort. Water forms a warm, wet buffer around her, keeping outside forces and interventions at bay. Yet if the woman should need assistance or monitoring it can be accomplished easily in her watery environment.

I waited for the contraction to pass as I listened intently for the mystery woman on the other end of the phone to finally identify herself. I could tell by the echo that she was in her bathroom, and could tell by the sound of running water that she was in the bath. The tempo of her breath told me I would be heading over soon… as soon as I could ascertain who she was! After her breathing slowed and she paused to collect herself, I heard her giggle a “Sorry!” I knew right away it was my dear friend Hazel. This was her fourth child — I was out the door!

Laboring in the water
I walked in to find her children sound asleep and her partner sitting at the edge of their large tub, a glass of cold water and bendable straw in hand to help keep Hazel well-hydrated. Before she could utter a word, another contraction arrived and she went deep into herself. Because water can speed labor along once the woman is over 5 centimeters dilated, and I guessed that Hazel was at least that, I busied myself preparing her birthing room. I then settled into the bathroom with my water Doppler and monitored our little friend. All was well. Hazel needed to pee, so she got out and onto the toilet. Another big contraction, wide eyes and pop went the bag of waters. They were clear and smelled sweetly of baby. It was time to decide where this child would be born.

Without hesitation, Hazel chose the tub. As soon as she was situated, I heard the familiar sound of relief I hear so often when women sink into warm water. It is music to a midwife’s ears, as is the steady heart rate of a baby about to be born. Hazel pushed with the next contraction as she pulled her legs back and sang that magical birth song, low and deep. With that push we saw the baby’s head. Two more pushes and the head was born.

As we waited for the next contraction, we had time to see this little child and appreciate the peacefulness of his/or her entrance. Water is vital to life — we cannot live without it. Its ability to nourish, nurture, propagate and promote life fits so well in the birthing world. I believe that because babies come from a watery environment, when they are born into water it feels familiar to them. Under normal circumstances, babies will not breathe until they hit air. When they emerge into water their house gets bigger, but they still think they are in the womb. This little one was wide-eyed and waiting. It is always amazing to see such peaceful passage.

Within a few moments, another contraction came and the baby was gently born. Hazel instinctively reached down and brought her baby to the surface. There was no need to suction — this little boy flexed, stretched, yawned and pinked up without even crying.

Misperceptions
Misunderstandings abound about the use of water in birth, such as risk of infection, risk to the baby, and lack of ability to monitor effectively. There is now much research-based evidence to indicate that with proper preparation and protocol the risks are no more than for air birth. So for those women and practitioners who choose water to facilitate birth, go for it! But first, be informed: Investigate what standards should be used. Plan what kind of tub you will use, where to put it, and find your water source. Remember that water is a different medium to work with. Familiarize yourself with it; think about its potentials; imagine its relation to birth. Merge with it and feel its effects.

For me, the rewards of using water in labor and birth is summed up in that magic sound of relief in a woman’s moan as she enters the warm water, and the magic moment as baby comes forth with that peaceful look that tells me the passage has been safe and gentle.

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Natural labor support – positions

TIPS ON MANAGING LABOR PAIN DURING CHILDBIRTH NATURALLY, INCLUDING LABOR POSITIONS, DOULAS, WATER BIRTHS, MASSAGE,

Are you looking for ways to manage labor pain naturally? Preparing for the pain associated with labor often leaves many women anxious and uncertain about what to expect. Most women experience pain during labor, but preparing for your labor may alleviate some of the pain and make for a more comfortable experience. There are many traditional and modern choices when it comes to pain management during labor. Natural ways to deal with labor pain range from adjusting the lighting in your room to working with a midwife in water.
Tracy McGinnis

Give yourself plenty of time to review different options available prior to your labor and delivery, and come up with a plan of pain management that’s right for you. Choosing a more natural way to deal with labor doesn’t mean forgoing modern treatments.

Create a relaxing space
One of the easiest ways to create a comfortable space during labor is to make adjustments to the immediate area you’ll be spending time in while in labor. Discuss options with your doctor, nurses, and any family and friends that will be with your during this time to make the space as relaxing as possible.

Consider adjusting the lighting, temperature and noise around you in your birthing room. A quiet, low lit room may help you relax and help you get through some of the pain you’re experiencing.

Music during labor
Music, candles and other additions may be things you’ll want to include to help you relax. Be sure to check with the hospital ahead of time to see what the restrictions are. What might be relaxing for you could be distracting for others in the hospital.

Find out more here on how music can provide a harmonious birth experience.

Plan ahead who will be in the room
Consider who will be in the room with you during delivery – family, friends, hospital staff, doula, mid-wife, etc. Decide on how many people you want to have and what they’re roles will be during the labor process. Try to avoid any unexpected guests during this time, and let loved ones and friends know what your wishes are ahead of time.

One person you may want to consider including in your room is a doula. To find out how a doula can make your birthing experience more enjoyable, read Why doulas are a girl’s best friend.

Consider acupuncture or acupressure
“There are dozens of points on the body that can block pain to the abdomen and uterus which can be stimulated with needles or milder techniques like seeds or acupressure,” says licensed acupuncturist Tom Ingegno, M.S., L.Ac.

“For women who are expected to go into labor I often use press seeds (traditionally seeds but now commonly gold, silver or magnetic beads) or tacks taped on various acupuncture points to increase relaxation in the hips and help manage pain.”

Find out more about pregnancy acupuncture here.

Massage during labor
Massage is another alternative to help alleviate pain symptoms and can be done by a professional or loved one. Massage can help reduce your anxiety, help with contractions, blood flow, and decrease levels of stress and exhaustion, among others. Massage can be most effective when you are not experiencing contractions and can focus on relaxing.

You can switch positions and massage different parts of the body including back, legs and hands, among others, to get the desired effect. For more tips on massage visit with a therapist and understand what your comfort level with massage is while you are pregnant.

Change positions
Changing the way you sit or lay in bed can help increase blood flood and decrease pain. Getting out of bed and walking or moving around your room or hospital floor can help decrease anxiety and relax and prepare your body for labor. Be sure to have someone close by if contractions increase to avoid falling and to get help quick if you need it. You may consider bringing in pillows or using a birthing ball to sit on to help reduce back pain.

Find out here effective birthing positions to help labor and delivery.

Get wet
A shower or bath may be just what your body and mind need to help relax. A warm shower can help relieve back pain experienced during contractions. Birthing tubs allow women to complete submerge in water and helps with the pressure inside the uterus.

Always discuss options with your healthcare provider, and keep in mind, some options, like water, may not be available to you if your water has broken.

For more, read: How can water help relieve the pain of labor?

Shout out loud!
Do you find yourself swearing like a sailor when you stub your toe? It turns out swearing helps diminish pain! A recent study examines the effects of swearing and pain tolerance. Among some of the findings, the study suggests that swearing helped increase pain tolerance and decreased perceived pain. If you’re not one for keeping a quiet room and need to release stress in other forms, consider swearing your way through labor pain. Like you needed an excuse to swear! Just make sure siblings are out of the room and let er’ rip!

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How to prepare for a water birth

http://www.pregnancyandbaby.com

AS PARENTS TODAY, YOU HAVE MANY OPTIONS WHEN CHOOSING A LABOR AND DELIVERY EXPERIENCE. WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO WELCOME YOUR BUNDLE OF JOY INTO THE WORLD AT HOME, IN A BIRTHING CENTER, OR IN A HOSPITAL, A WATER BIRTH MAY BE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU AND
As parents today, you have many options when choosing a labor and delivery experience. Whether you choose to welcome your bundle of joy into the world at home, in a birthing center, or in a hospital, a water birth may be the right choice for you and your partner.
Michelle Maffei

Water births are said to benefit both you and baby. “One of the most significant benefits is that that woman becomes more tolerable of the pain and discomfort associated with childbirth,” shares Althea Hrdlichka, birth and postpartum doula. “In many cases, opting for a water birth shortens the woman’s labor, makes it much less stressful for her and baby, and provides baby the ability to emerge into the world in a more natural state (in water) therefore making the transition a relaxing and more enjoyable experience for them both.”

Considering this alternative birthing method? Here are the things you will need to know in order to prepare for your water birth.

Before labor
Find a midwife that has experience performing water births
Create a birthing plan and prepare for alternatives should unforeseen complications occur
Make sure your tub is deep enough to fill to armpit level for buoyancy, and is free from water jets and internal pipes, which may harbor unwanted bacteria
Consider purchasing an inflatable kiddie pool or rent a birthing tub from a local birthing center if your tub will not suffice
Check that the birthing room is big enough for the midwife to set up her equipment with plenty of room to maneuver
Inflate and clean tub with non-abrasive cleaner and rinse very thoroughly in advance of the onset of labor
Consider using two different water-drinking hoses to fill and empty the water, along with a submersible pump for draining out the water easily
Make sure that the tap adaptor fits the faucet you will use to fill the tub
Purchase a clean, sterilized fish net to collect debris in the water that may occur during the labor process, like blood clots and mucus
Practice filling the water before hand to determine how long it takes to fill the tub

Go time
Use clean, pure water that is safe enough to drink to fill the tub
Fill the water with allowance for 1”-2” water rise per person, starting with about 9” of water from the top
Set water temp to your personal comfort level, between 95 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit
Drink plenty of fluids and eat food that is light and easily digestible
Wait until contractions are well established, at about 5 cm or at transition when the pain relieving effect will be maximized, to get into the tub
Get into the tub if labor slows down outside of the water, which may stimulate labor; if labor slows down in the tub, get out and move around to get things going again
Experiment with birthing positions, including your partner both in and out of the water if you prefer

Birth moment
Discuss with your birth attendants prior to your delivery on length of time baby should be under the water
Utilize rapid emersion, taking only long enough for you to reach down and pick up the baby yourself (the benefits of a water birth are accomplished as soon as the baby is delivered into the warm water)
Discuss with your birth attendants prior to your delivery whether or not you will birth your placenta in the water

Ultimately the choice to have a water birth is a personal one, so long as your OB/GYN has cleared you of any unique circumstances with your pregnancy that would make it unsafe to do so. With the right preparation, a supportive partner, and a midwife to ensure the safety of your baby-to-be, you can get the most from this natural birthing method.

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Pain management during labour

If you’re like most women, the pain of labor and delivery is one of the things that worry you about having a baby. This is certainly understandable, because labor is painful for most women.

It’s possible to have labor with relatively little pain, but it’s wise to prepare yourself by planning some strategies for coping with pain. Planning for pain is one of the best ways to ensure that you’ll stay calm and be able to deal with it when the time comes.

Pain During Labor and Delivery
Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain may be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.

Other causes of pain during labor include pressure on the bladder and bowels by the baby’s head and the stretching of the birth canal and vagina.

Pain during labor is different for every woman. Although labor is often thought of as one of the more painful events in human experience, it ranges widely from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Women experience labor pain differently — for some, it resembles menstrual cramps; for others, severe pressure; and for others, extremely strong waves that feel like diarrheal cramps.

It’s often not the pain of each contraction on its own that women find the hardest, but the fact that the contractions keep coming — and that as labor progresses, there is less and less time between contractions to relax.

Preparing for Pain
To help with pain during labor, here are some things you can start doing before or during your pregnancy:

Regular and reasonable exercise (that your doctor says is OK) can help strengthen your muscles and prepare your body for the stress of labor. Exercise also can increase your endurance, which will come in handy if you have a long labor. The important thing to remember with any exercise is not to overdo it — and this is especially true if you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor about what he or she considers to be a safe exercise plan for you.

If you and your partner attend childbirth classes, you’ll learn different techniques for handling pain, from visualization to stretches designed to strengthen the muscles that support your uterus. The two most common childbirth philosophies in the United States are the Lamaze technique and the Bradley method.

The Lamaze technique is the most widely used method in the United States. The Lamaze philosophy teaches that birth is a normal, natural, and healthy process and that women should be empowered to approach it with confidence. Lamaze classes educate women about the ways they can decrease their perception of pain, such as through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, distraction, or massage by a supportive coach. Lamaze approach takes a neutral position toward pain medication, encouraging women to make an informed decision about whether it’s right for them.

The Bradley method (also called Husband-Coached Birth) emphasizes a natural approach to birth and the active participation of the baby’s father as birth coach. A major goal of this method is the avoidance of medications unless absolutely necessary. The Bradley method also focuses on good nutrition and exercise during pregnancy and relaxation and deep-breathing techniques as a method of coping with labor. Although the Bradley method advocates a medication-free birth experience, the classes do do discuss unexpected complications or situations, like emergency cesarean sections.

Some ways to handle pain during labor include:

meditation
walking
massage or counterpressure
changing position
taking a bath or shower
distracting yourself by counting or performing an activity that keeps your mind otherwise occupied

Natural Childbirth
Some women choose to give birth using no medication at all, relying instead on relaxation techniques and controlled breathing for pain. If you’d like to experience childbirth without pain medication, make your wishes known to your health care provider.

Things to Consider
Here are some things to think about when considering pain control during labor:

Medications can relieve much of your pain, but probably won’t relieve all of it.
Labor may hurt more than you anticipated. Some women who have previously said they want no pain medicine whatsoever end up changing their minds once they’re actually in labor.
Certain medications can affect your baby, causing the baby to be drowsy or have changes in the heart rate.
Talking to Your Health Care Provider
You’ll want to review your pain control options with the person who’ll be delivering your baby. Find out what pain control methods are available, how effective they’re likely to be, and when it’s best not to use certain medications.

If you want to use pain-control methods other than medication, make sure your health care provider and the hospital staff know. You might want to also consider writing a birth plan that makes your preferences clear.

Remember, too, that many women make decisions about pain relief during labor that they abandon — often for very good reason — at the last minute. Your ability to endure the pain of childbirth has nothing to do with your worth as a mother. By preparing and educating yourself, you can be ready to decide what pain management works best for you.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: November 2011
Originally reviewed by: Serdar H. Ural, MD

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