A quick guide for birth support people.
CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE TO BIRTH
Dim Lighting – curtains drawn, LED Candles or battery operated LED fairy lights from Kmart
Aromatherapy – Clary sage & Lavender, Frankincense & Orange etc - essential oils can be inhaled from a tissue, placed in a diffuser, dripped onto a face washer, massaged onto lower back or abdomen with a carrier oil (labour support kit can be purchased here).
Make the birth room your own - have familiar items in the room like the birthing persons pillow, favourite blanket, photos of family members, affirmation cards ect.
Ensure a sense of privacy - minimal people present in the room, allow the birthing person and their partner to have alone time where they don't feel observed or watched.
Keep talking/chatter in the room to a minimum to allow the birthing person to drop into relaxation and utilize the primal part of their brain.
Utilise Relaxation or Hypnosis tracks (can be purchased here).
Create a playlist for relaxation
INFORMED DECISION MAKING
Having a structure that can guide you and allow you to gain all the relevant information related to a situation can be very helpful when you are called to make an informed choice.
Once the individual/practitioner has explained the what, when, where, how & who of whatever is being proposed, you can gain a broader understanding of the whole picture by considering/asking the following;
Benefits - what are the benefits of what is being offered?
Risks - what are the relative risks associated with what is being offered?
Alternatives - are there any alternatives to what is being suggested/offered?
Instincts - what are your instincts/gut feelings telling you?
Nothing - what happens if we do nothing? Is that an option? What protocol/measures would we need to follow if we chose not to act on what was being offered?
Second opinion - If you don’t feel your questions or concerns have been adequately addressed ask for a second option. Remember, you’re allowed to do things differently, you always have a choice - but it is vital that you have all the information required to make an informed decision. Understand that every action has a reaction, that’s why it’s so important to understand the “risks” or follow on effects of decisions eg. cascade of interventions.
POSITIONS IN LABOUR
Utilise upright positions to promote optimal positioning of baby in the pelvis.
Utilise fitball to allow mobility of the pelvis
“Spinning Babies” is a helpful resource that focuses on optimizing the physical relationship between the bodies of the mother and baby for the easing of childbirth. The website houses tips for supporting labour progress and lots of other information.
Being active in labour can help reduce the length of labour and support optimal positioning of the baby in the pelvis. However it is important to encourage rest in upright or side lying positions if the mother is tired.
If standing lean on the bed, wall, partner and “flop” “relax muscles” during contractions/surges
If utilising an epidural use a peanut ball under alternating legs to help open the pelvis
Try and alternate sides which she is lying on the allow the pelvis to move, lying flat on the back reduces pelvic mobility.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Prepare yourself to support the birthing person in achieving the birth that THEY desire
Check your own beliefs and fears around childbirth before you step into the room, we don't want your beliefs or fears negatively impacting on theirs.
Labouring people are VERY suggestable, if there are things that the birthing person has discussed with you that are important to them eg. not having an epidural then don’t ask them if they want one.
If they bring it up try other things first. A change in environment, music, position, distraction, reassuring words, focus on their breathing or relaxation techniques can sometimes be enough to get them feeling confident in their abilities and back in control.
Have a discussion with them about what they do and don't want in labour.
Try not to “save” them from the pain/discomfort but more so empower them.
We want to reinforce that whilst the contractions/surges are very intense sensations the more that they can relax and let go during labour the more effectively their body can work to birth their baby
Use positive words of affirmation that reinforce that they are doing a great job, that their body is doing what it is designed to do, that each contraction is bringing their baby closer to them.
You can use some visualisations or progressive relaxation techniques to help them relax
Remind them to relax their shoulders & jaw and to continue to breath throughout each contraction
PHYSICAL SUPPORT
Utilise Acupressure to assist labour progress, reduce discomfort and promote a sense of calm - Dr Kate Levett offers an online course that can be accessed here.
Light Touch massage can be helpful, the birthing person may not like being touched so let them guide you.
Offer water and lite snacks throughout, they may not feel like eating but its important for them to maintain their energy so their body can work effectively
Encourage them to go to the toilet regularly – a empty bladder will help the baby move down
Heat packs on the lower abdomen/pelvis and back can be very helpful to reduce discomfort
Hopping in a warm shower with the water running over their back can also be very soothing
Sometimes a cold face washer on the back of their neck or forehead can be really helpful if they are feeling hot and bothered
A cup of ice to chew on can be cooling and hydrating
A spray bottle filled with water to mist their face, back & chest between contractions can also be soothing
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION
If you would like to learn how to utilize some of these tools for labour and birth, childbirth education can play a powerful role in arming you with the knowledge, tools, support and preparation to facilitate a positive birth experience.
The Hypnobirthing Australia Positive Birth Program draws together many of the elements listed in this resource to empower the birthing person and their support persons throughout their journey to parenthood. Group Class dates can be found and booked here.
