Ina May Gaskin, a widely known and well-renowned Midwife, Birth Mentor, and Educator, has documented in her book "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth", the Sphincter Law and its role in birth. For those who have not had the pleasure of reading her book (and I highly recommend it), let me summarize this principle: The basic premise behind Sphincter Law is that the cervix, like the mouth/throat, ureathra and anus, is a sphincter. Like our other sphincters, the cervix doesn’t respond well to commands, pressure, or fear. Have you ever experienced “stage fright” while trying to poop or pee with someone in the next stall, or worse, standing right in front of you?
So what does this uncomfortable toilet experience have to do with birthing? Everything! Imagine you are in a hospital, exposed in a revealing hospital gown, without the comfortable furniture and surroundings of home, with unfamiliar people and bright lights, a clock ticking and people continuously checking to see if you have progressed. Does this sound like the ideal situation to allow your body to open up? Could you possibly poop in this situation? At least you poop on a regular basis so there is familiarity with it and much less pressure, but it would still be an effort for most people to put on that kind of 'show'. How, then, can we expect a laboring mother to feel comfortable enough to allow her body to open and birth her baby in these circumstances?
Since most of us will choose to give birth in a hospital setting, for a wide range of reasons, it is best then that we arm you with ways to give you the most comfortable birth experience, releasing tension and allowing your cervix to open easily and quickly.
First, you should know that your emotional state of relaxation can have a powerful effect on the cervix. At the same time, fear or shame can keep the cervix closed.
To stay relaxed and comfortable, here are some ideas you can try:
- Keep your sense of humor! Ina May talks extensively about how bringing in a sense of humor into the place of birth can help the body release endorphins that overrule the adrenaline that gets released when afraid.
- Ask questions and stay informed. Not understanding what is going on with your body and baby during labor can cause fear, which will draw your sphincters closed.
- Remember, "As it is above, so it is below." Keep a check on your jaw and mouth as an indicator of what is going on in your cervix. If you're afraid, or tense, or upset, or hurting, you are very likely to clench your jaw and mouth. It is extremely difficult to tighten one sphincter while releasing another, so if your mouth is tight, odds are so is your cervix.
- Laughing is good for keeping your jaw relaxed (see humor, above)
- Make low groaning sounds or blow air out (like a horse does) will keep your mouth and jaw loose as well, and helps open your lower sphincters.
- Kiss, touch, or hold your partner. If you are feeling loved, intimate, and relaxed, your body will respond in kind. Just think, "What gets the baby in will get the baby out." Grrr, baby.
- Wear your own nightgown. It may not seem like a big deal, but maintaining your modesty (if that concerns you), and keeping your own clothing on will lessen the strangeness of the situation, and allow you to stay more comfortable.
- Keep the lights low, natural if possible, and minimize distractions. This does a few things. For one, people tend to speak more quietly when the lights are dim. This keeps the loud distruptions to a minimum. Also, it will help you relax and stay comfortable. More relaxed = more open.
- Music, aromatherapy, yoga, stretching or changing position. It may sound hokey and a little touchy-feely for you now, but believe me, when you're dealing with the physical and emotional changes of becoming a mother, you need all the help you can to relax, and these things help many women to do just that.
- WATER! If you have the option, get in a tub, and submerge that belly! The floating will take lots of pressure off of you, and you know by know what relaxing does (hint, oooopppeennnnn!). If you can't get in the water, take a hot shower. Let the water run down your back...ahh, doesn't that sound nice?
- Massage - put anyone that dares enter your labor room to work for you! Set them up rubbing your feet, massaging your scalp, putting counterpressure on your back, kneading your shoulders, and let them melt the tension away.
- Hire a doula. This isn't just a plug for my services. Hiring a solid support team is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself as a laboring mother. One of a doula's main jobs is to support you physically and emotionally. She can offer massage, position ideas, comfort and breathing techniques. She is trained to watch for tense muscles, reminding you to relax them. She is educated on birth, and can keep you informed of what's going on, and what your options are. She can reassure you when you're concerned, and help to keep distractions to a minimum. She can help to create a quiet, calm and relaxing atmosphere to help you have a comfortable birth.
- Whatever works for you! You know best - what works for you when you're tense? A nice hot cup of tea? A soothing bath? Rocking on your birth ball? Walking? Humming or singing? Curling up in bed next to your honey? Watching television? Whatever works best for you most times will likely work best for you in labor, so don't be afraid to ask for what you need, whatever it is!
Whatever you choose to do, just remember the principles of Sphincter Law:
- Sphincter muscles of both anus and vagina do not respond on command.
- Sphincter muscles open more easily in a comfortable, intimate atmosphere where a woman feels safe and secure.
- The muscles are more likely to open if the woman feels positive about herself; where she feels inspired and enjoys the birth process.
- Sphincter muscles may suddenly close even if they have already dilated, if the woman feels threatened in any way.
No comments:
Post a Comment