In Labor
Help baby engage in labor
A baby can not get through the pelvis if the baby can't get into the pelvis.
Lack of engagement is a common issue for the woman who labors but the baby remains high in the pelvis. A common obstetrical solution is to do a cesarean. There are a few simple techniques that can be done. Some are easy to do, some are challenging. But once they are done, the labor is very, very likely to progress. And sometimes, the labor will even finish quite quickly with suddenly less pain than when the uterus was overworked trying to get a baby into the pelvis for days of labor. In fact, learning how to help baby engage can save hours and even days of labor. Check this out.
3 Principles to Support Your Labor
Read this article if you are hoping for a smooth, progressing labor.
Or, if labor doesn't start or progress as you expect.
You will find why and how the 1st Principle of Spinning Babies; Balance should be followed first, before random attempts at labor progress.
Comparing OA and OP labor patterns
There are differences seen in the labor pattern of an anterior baby and that of the posterior baby. These signals may help you determine whether a baby is in the occipital posterior position. These signals may also show up in labors where the baby has to get symmetrical for labor to progress, whether or not the long labor is caused by a posterior position.
Labor progress with Spinning Babies
Labor Progress Tips with the Three Principles of Spinning Babies©
Find what to do when in this list of labor activities for each phase and stage of labor.
Waters release b4 labor
A doula writes, "need suggestions for what to do to get a labor going...she has been ruptured for over 24 hours and not really contracting and wanting to avoid pit...."
When a baby is in the posterior position the head is not often applied on the cervix. Of posterior labors, 21% begin with the waters releasing (amniotic sac opened). Read Induction? and labor progress tips.
Is this labor or not?
- Early labor comes on gently and doesn't pick up;
- Early labor comes... and then goes
- Labor comes at night and leaves during the daylight; or
- Labor comes on strong and then stops. And tries to start again, only to stop again.
What's the deal? "Is my starter broken?" Why can't labor get rolling? Here's why...
Early urge to push
Tips and discussion
What to do for a long labor
The art of the long labor involves helping a mother keep up her morale while addressing her body's needs for marathon activity. We can sooth the mother, especially helping her ease her busy mind or labor pain when we can.
It is important to address the reason for the long labor. When the issue is in the tissue there is something we can do. Tight muscles, tight ligaments -these can be relaxed with body work and things the mother can do herself or with help. Four specific techniques that are amazing.
What to do In a posterior labor
While some posterior labors can go fast and finish with a flourish, others take days and finish with help. If you are experiencing (or anticipating) a posterior labor here are specific suggestions. Forget what you learned about the labor curve. Put on your hiking boots. You may have a walk in the park, but you may have just entered the "expert's trail."
Swollen cervix
Too often a swollen cervix sends birthing women to the operating room. Here's what to do about it.
Cesarean or Labor?
Surgery or Nature? Women today are more often told that a cesarean is the safest option for them. Whether presented as an absolute or "as needed", the given reasons for a surgical birth, cesarean section, are becoming so common that it can be a challenge to discern whether or not the surgery is medically necessary for an individual person.