Labor Tools

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How to Align Baby for an Easier, Faster Birth

http://www.mothering.com/articles/align-baby-easier-faster-birth/

(click to read)

Your baby has an active role in her birth. She must rotate and tuck, hold and kick her body in certain ways to be born.

These movements, called cardinal movements, are instinctive to babies and differ for babies in different positions. Our babies and bodies birth quickest and safest when the baby is head-down, facing the mother’s back, crown first. But, sometimes babies need help taking up the most ideal position. Breech babies have their own cardinal movements to be born safely.

Babies who are lined up optimally for birth come out faster and easier than those who aren’t positioned perfectly.

Many cesareans happen because the baby is not able to get in the best position for birth.

There are a few different pelvic shapes or types. Some pelvic shapes require that the baby take a certain, optimal position, while others can accommodate a number of different ways out. Don’t worry too much about pelvic shape unless you already know yours is unusual or your babies have trouble descending.

For many women, their babies can be born backwards (posterior), upside-down (breech), face first, or with with their head tilted a bit (ascynclitic), but it’s typically a harder or more complicated labor and birth.

Modern life has us using our body in a way that confuses or restricts the baby’s movement.
Here is what you can do during pregnancy to provide for the best chance and good alignment and faster, easier birth…

(click link above to read this helpful article)

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LAUGHING GAS CHANGING THE WAY WOMEN ENDURE LABOR PAIN

http://abc7.com/health/laughing-gas-changing-the-way-women-endure-labor-pain/1429757/

**Currently St. John’s in Santa Monica and GraceFull Birthing Center in Silverlake are the only facilities in the LA area that offer nitrous oxide during labor, to my knowledge. 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) —

Many women have turned to laughing gas as a drug-free alternative to get through the pains of childbirth.

New mom Megan Edmonds gave birth to baby Asher with the help of laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide.

“My goal was to, to try to get through with no drugs and no epidural. It just takes the edge off. I would say about 35 to 40 percent of the edge in the beginning of contractions and everything,” Edmonds said.

It changes and alters the perception of pain for patients, according to Dr. Albert Phillips at the Providence Saint John’s Health Center (PSJHC).

The PSJHC is the first hospital in the region to offer nitrous oxide for birthing moms.

“Nitrous oxide is actually being used all over the world, but here in the United States it didn’t seem to get as much favor as it did in other parts of the world,” Phillips said.

(click link at top to read entire article on abc7.com)

 

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Why A Birthing Ball Can Help In Labor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/well-rounded-ny/why-a-birthing-ball-can-h_b_10724180.html

The mere idea of sitting on an unsteady birthing ball during labor (and even pregnancy!) can be daunting. But when used properly, birthing balls, also known as exercise and fitness balls) are excellent tools to sustain a healthy pregnancy and successful labor. Indeed, birthing ball exercises can give you the strength and stability that you need to speed up dilation, move baby down into the pelvis, and even manage labor and delivery pain. What’s more, birthing balls are affordable, effective and versatile (you can use them well after birth to help with postpartum pain and breastfeeding, and children tend to think they’re great fun to play with), and you can involve your partner, doula or friend depending on where you choose to deliver. It’s no wonder, then, that so many midwives and birth doulas (myself included) recommend them to their clients.

(Click link  above to read on Huffingtonpost.com)