Birthing in your preferred way
by Suzanne Swan
Our Active Birth Workshop or Antenatal Private Session is led by advanced childbirth educator and senior yoga teacher, Suzanne Swan. Suzanne has been doing this work for over twenty years and her experience affirms that having the partner involved in the birth process, working hands on as a team with the mother, promotes a positive birth experience and enhances family bonding.
Why do 70% of women still give birth on their back when ACOG safer care recommendations say that for a spontaneous labour the low risk pregnant woman can:
Use position of choice when pushing and giving birth
Rest and wait the urge to push after full dilation
Push your preferred, most effective way
The benefits of being upright include a reduction in the length of pushing time as gravity can help bring the baby, there is better supply of oxygen to the baby, the baby can get in a better position and less pressure on the pelvic floor. In the active birth classes we practice the positions that widen your pelvis. Being able to choose your own birthing position increases your sense of control over the experience, and perception of the birth.
Many caregivers still prefer non-upright positions even though current obstetric textbooks state that it is beneficial for first time mothers, to push in upright positions. Here are 4 reasons you may find yourself pushing in a semi-sitting position.
Easier to monitor the fetal heart rate (EFM)
How caregivers are trained influences their preferred method (the way Noelle, a popular birthing mannequin, is positioned in training is lying supine)
Epidurals contribute to higher use of back-lying positions
Limited caregivers
What you can do!
Come along to our active birth workshops with your partner to learn the different upright positions that are possible in second stage. Your partner’s physical support will play a key role in whether you are able to hold upright positions to the duration of your pushing phase. Educate your partner!
New Recommendations for Pushing
Here are ACOG’s two new recommendations for the expulsion stage of labor.
Women may be offered a period of rest of 1–2 hours (unless the woman has an urge to bear down sooner) at the onset of the second stage of labor.
When not coached to breathe in a specific way, women push with an open glottis (ie throat). In consideration of the limited data regarding outcomes of spontaneous versus Valsalva (coached) pushing, each woman should be encouraged to use the technique that she prefers and is most effective for her.
Visualisation of second stage
Second Stage Positions
Evidence from randomised trials suggests that upright positions (standing/squatting supported by partner or prop, kneeling upright, on hand and knees or using a birth seat) during the second stage of labour also provide several benefits, including: a lower risk of abnormal foetal heart patterns, less pain and less use of vacuum/forceps and episiotomy. Upright birthing positions may also shorten the second stage of labour and reduce the use of augmentation with synthetic oxytocin.
With Pelvis upright
Baby's angle of descent is easiest when down and out
Uterus can exert maximum force making bearing down more efficient and shortening the second stage. Perineum expands evenly
Reduces risk of tearing.
Baby at birth is in optimal condition
Less need for painkillers or interventions thus reducing risk of side effects.
Mother feels proud, empowered and satisfied
Read a great article on the evidence behind birthing upright.
When the Pelvis is horizontal ie. lying on back
Baby's angle of descent is more difficult - up hill
Bearing down force made less efficient, prolonging second stage
Perineum cannot expand evenly
Baby's head presses directly on me perineum and risk of tearing increases
Baby at birth may be compromised when birth is passive
Greater need for painkillers or interventions with possible side effects.
Here is a good video explaining the use of different positions in hospital births
Perineal massage - internal vaginal massage
by Suzanne Swan
Massage of the perineum is a technique which slowly and gently stretches the skin and tissues around the vagina and rectum. This internal work investigates the internal muscles and soft tissue of the perineum. You can massage the tissues both outside and inside the perineum regularly in the last eight weeks of pregnancy. Doing this work can have a profoundly positive affect on the ability of these muscles and surrounding tissues to relax and open. Perineal massage helps reduce both the risk of tearing during birth and the need for an episiotomy.
The position in which you give birth can affect the likelihood of perineal tearing and the need for an episiotomy. Upright positions (sitting, squatting, kneeling), leaning forward positions (all fours) or side-lying positions reduce the strain on the perineum. Lying on your back with feet up in stirrups makes an episiotomy almost inevitable.
CAUTIONS: Avoid the urinary opening to prevent urinary tract infections. Do not do perineal massage if you have active herpes lesions, as you could spread the herpes infection to other areas.
General Hints:
The first few times it's helpful to use a mirror to find the vagina and perineum and see what they look like.
If you feel tense, take a warm bath or use warm compresses on your perineum for 5 to 10 minutes.
If you have had an episiotomy with a previous birth, concentrate part of your massage on that area. Scar tissue isn't as stretchy as the rest of your skin and needs extra attention.
Directions for you or your partner:
Wash your hands
Find a private, comfortable place to sit or lean back in a comfortable position.
Put a lubricant such as Vitamin E oil (pricked capsule), wheat germ oil. Rosehip Oil or pure vegetable oil on your thumbs and around the perineum (the tissue just below the opening of the birth canal). You can also use your body's own natural lubrication. Take hold of the outside of the perineum and massage the opening between your thumb and fingers.
Next, place you thumbs (partners may use their index or middle finger to massage) about 3-4cm inside your vagina. Press downwards and to the sides at the same time. Gently and firmly massage and knead. You work the internal muscles of the perineum, the muscles on either side of the rectum and either side of the tailbone.
Slowly and gently massage back and forth over the lower half of your vagina, working the lubricant into the tissues. Keep this up for 2-4 minutes. Remember to avoid the urinary opening.
As you massage, pull gently outwards (forwards) on the lower part of the vagina with your thumbs (partners finger/s) hooked inside. Be gentle and give lots of feedback. Stop and breathe. This helps stretch the skin as the baby's head will stretch it during birth.
When you work inside your vagina you are working on the deep muscles by stretching and massaging them so that they can relax more easily. At birth, the baby presses on the rectum because it is in the middle. When you tense up the muscles that would prevent a bowel movement you are tensing the muscles on both sides of the rectum. By working before hand, you can become familiar with the sensations, and learn to relax these muscles. Do this massage once a day, starting around the 32nd week of pregnancy. After about a week you should notice an increase in flexibility and stretchiness.