An article from Parents.com just caught my eye: 20 Tips that Make Childbirth Easier. They sent it to me via email and of course I couldn't help clicking and reading because at this stage there is little else to really think about in regards to the pregnancy. My checklist is complete and even though I still have flashes of moments where I forget that I am pregnant which I usually take as an indication that things are going well and I feel great, those are fewer and lesser than in previous trimesters. I digress, I clicked and read.
First of all, there are only 8 Tips! Not 20! And out of those 8 Tips, three of them involve medication! Isn't that the whole idea that they would come up with something new! Innovative! As a teacher, I am urged every year to create new and interesting ways to present ancient topics. My god! I teach about Abraham, Sarah couldn't even have children but still somehow the story seems like new every time! Included in the other 5 tips that they attempted to sell were the kinds of tips that I assume make most women in labor want to punch some one: relax, breath, move around...come on! If Eliot looks at me while I am in the middle of a painful contraction, I am screaming and he says "Relax, honey!" I would recommend he ducks!
The other two tips though not new: massage and water therapy sound nice now but I think, could be hit or miss. Unfortunately, the new state of the art birthing medical hospital that just opened up where I am having my baby did not decide to include bath tubs, so not much of an option unless we invest in some water guns...which really adds a new violence, that I am uncomfortable with, to the most miraculous experience on earth. Massage though soothing and relaxing most of the time, at this very moment sounds suffocating.
My thoughts for you Parents.com writers is step it up! Get some new material! Think outside of the box! Push the envelope! Give me something I can use and don't try to sugar coat it! It's gonna hurt!
Hi Christy,
ReplyDeleteIt may hurt but it doesn't have to be unbearable. :) I used hypnobabies with my third, and actually, "relax" was one of my cue words. Being able to consciously relax is super important to have an unmedicated birth. One thing many midwives recommend is deep tones--saying/singing OHhhhhh or ahhhh very deep during a contraction. (as opposed to a high pitched scream/squeal, which is counterproductive). If Eliot wants to be useful, I highly recommend a book called "the Birth Partner". It's EXCELLENT for dads, doulas and anyone else who may support you during the baby's birth. Blessings to you and your family! :)
Staci (Biela) Plonsky
In "regular life" (ie, not in the middle of childbirth), I do not generally like it when Matt suggests that I relax. It makes me feel like he thinks I'm a hysterical female. I think what worked well for me was "Take a deep breath" and breathing with me. In birthing class the instructor talked about the coach getting close to mom's face so she focuses on him. I can imagine that working well in earlier labor. I didn't really have much pain until I was <3 hours from birth, and at that point I had my eyes closed most of the time and just focused on the encouraging voices around me.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, long story short, find a cue that works for you, like Staci says, and have Eliot use that. "You're doing great" was another I liked hearing. :)