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GIVING BIRTH
The miracle of birth arouses deep feeling. Sharing that
intimacy frees a woman to concentrate her energies within, and helps her
coordinate breathing and remain relaxed. By encouraging and physically
supporting her, her partner strengthens his attachment to the new
family.
The choice of home or hospital birth depends on health, age, medical
history and personal preference. Wherever birth takes place, the woman
will feel more comfortable if she can be active and can assume positions
intuitively.
To ensure this, cooperation of the midwife or hospital are needed
well before birth. (For hospital births, this agreement should be
recorded.) Also, national childbirth organisations and local classes
help both partners better understand birth and obstetric practices.
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THE BABY'S POSITION
In the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby's head descends
into the lower womb, ready for birth. Various presentation are common,
but most babies adopt "anterior presentation", considered the easiest
for birth.
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Posterior presentation
Baby faces forward in early labour. Often the head turns in time for
birth. |
Breech position
Baby lies bottom-down. Normal labour most likely, but experienced
assistance ensures safe delivery of baby's head, delivered after the
umbilical cord. |
Anterior presentation
Baby's head faces your back as it emerges,
then turns immediately. |
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| LABOUR |
| Every birth is unique, every woman's
experience her own. But labour always follows three stages. In each, the
woman needs to be able to follow her instincts and adopt any position,
breathing into each contraction. Here are some safe and helpful
positions for each stage, some for her alone, others with his support. |
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Stage One (usually 6-12 hrs, to 24
hrs)
Contractions begin Mild contractions (30 sec. each) push the baby down
to the cervix. They grow more regular and intense (every 3-4 minutes, 90
sec. each), until the cervix is dilated to 4in (10cm). Breathing
rhythmically and remaining upright and active help ease contractions,
and help gravity encourage the baby's descent. |
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The effect of contractions
1. Womb contractions pull up the cervix's edges softening,
stretching and opening them.
2. The baby is pushed against the thinning cervix layer.
3. The cervix dilates and baby's head crowns.
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Positions for stage one.
These help ease contractions. He supports her weight and massages her
lower back while she blows gently on exhalation. Kneeling and squatting
can relieve strain.
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Transition - the waiting phase
Only a step away from birth, the urge to push is strong, but it is
essential to wait until the cervix is fully dilated. Light breathing,
emphasising the out-breath, and different positions can redirect that
urge.
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The cervix fully dilates
1. Baby's head has access to vaginal opening.
2. End of transition. Baby's head is in the vagina.
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Positions for transition
She may be tired and irritable and prefer to be alone. He helps by
responding equably to her requests. |
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Stage Two (usually 30-40 min., to 2
hrs.)
The baby is born. Now the woman's intuition, the midwife's experience,
and the man's support combine to ensure a safe delivery. Powerful
contractions (every 2-5 min.) push the baby until the urge to bear down
engulfs the whole body. Deep breathing and pushing on the out-breath
maximise efforts in this most rewarding and exhilarating time.
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Baby's progress
1. Baby's head is in the birth canal. Descending, the head appears
at the vaginal opening, stretching it.
2. The head squeezes through. It rotates immediately,
so the body can turn for birth.
3. A single contraction and the shoulders slide
through, followed by the body.
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Positions for Stage Two
The birthing position should be a woman's choice. Most natural is
upright or semi-upright (with his support), since the pelvic joints can
open, the pelvic floor muscles stretch, and gravity can assist.
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Stage Three The placenta is
delivered
Generally, baby's first breath should be with the umbilical cord
intact. Suckling, eye and skin contact then stimulate the placenta's
release. It is best to agree with your hospital or midwife well before
birth that the cord won't be cut until it stops pulsating, and that
hormones won't be injected to release the placenta artificially. |
Release of the placenta
Sitting or squatting encourages placenta delivery. You may feel a
soothing
sensation followed by shivering. Keep warm.
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Pre-Conception to Birth 
GIVING BIRTH:
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