6 Positions to Push Baby Out
Time to push: Finding Birthing Positions That Work Best for You Birth is a very intimate time, and even more so when pushing. As seen on TV the common way is laying on your back, legs in the air on stirrups with your vagina on display for everyone to see. The doctors need a clear view to see the baby coming. Now go watch some home birth videos and come back to me. Baby can be brought into the world in quite a few different positions and you don’t need to do it the same way as you saw on TV. Plus if you learn the history, we’re being taught that it was because King Louis had a fetish for watching women give birth. So what are the six positions to push a baby out? Well to quote one of my friends Aja Vu – it’s probably one of the ways you got a baby in! Position 1: Side Lying In this position it can better allow you to rest between contractions, a partial squat that allows the pelvis to widen, and is excellent for pushing in. Position 2: Supported Wide-Forward Squat You may find this is optimal for you to deliver your baby because it opens the pelvis in this squatting position, and can be done with a partner or by using a chair. It also allows your belly to rest and settle between your knees. Position 3: Hands and Knees Hands and Knees is slowly becoming more common to give birth, giving you the chance to open the pelvis all while To give your arms a break, lower your shoulders to the bed or floor mat and place your head on a pillow. Position 4: Standing Opening your legs wide, and pulling on something from the ceiling or holding onto something is another option for pushing the baby out. I remember an old bible movie I watched and they stood while holding on a rope to push, allowing gravity to take control. Position 5: Supported Semi Sitting Let your partner be more available by sitting behind you, and grab a hold of those legs, all while widening your pelvis. This position also allows gravity to come into play when the baby comes into the world. Position 6: Using a Birth Stool/ Cub/ Squat Any of these options allow you to rest while putting your full force into pushing, and can give you something for guidance while holding on to something. Out of all these options, which one are you the most willing to try, or have tried with a previous birth? Never heard of any of this and you’re due soon? Time to get yourself a doula… I offer virtual and in-person services.
3 Reasons Why You Need a Fertility Doula
I can’t guarantee you get pregnant. Just like a medical professional, midwife, herbalist, acupuncturist et cetera can’t. I am biased when I say that doulas are the pillar of support and it’s something our local communities need more of. I live in rural Saskatchewan, in a town called Englefeld. I travel around SE Saskatchewan, going to places like Prince Albert, Humboldt, Melfort, and something I see a lack of is support. There are other doulas in my area and we’re all trying to teach and support people, our skills are diverse. There is a lack of information surrounding fertility doulas and how we are going to be able to support you in your fertility journey. So here are three reasons why you need a fertility doula, especially if you’ve been trying for more than six months. What is a fertility doula? A fertility doula is someone who gives you emotional, physical, and educational support. Contrary to popular belief, we are meant for more than just IVF/IUI support, and we are more than those who are wanting to conceive naturally. I can support you with family planning, menstrual cycles, fertility complications, herbal suggestions, charting support, tracking your fertility signs, attending your fertility consultations and appointments, and in-home care post-transfer. Conception can be hard. The truth is the numbers don’t lie… 1 in 6 worldwide between the ages of 15 and 49 are struggling with infertility or have in their lifetime. Almost 1 in 10 of women use medical assistance to become pregnant. During what is regularly such an intimate and private event becomes a very medicated experience – don’t feel shame, it’s becoming more and more the norm and regardless how you conceive its a miracle none the same. While all this is going on your relationship can have its struggles, and the journey to having a baby becomes two to suddenly five people as you involve doctors, therapists, and specialists. With a fertility doula by your side you will have someone who is rooting for you, who is in your corner. I have been a sounding board for both sides of the relationship. I have been there through another negative pregnancy test. Having someone there for you who is specialized and educated to help you through the ups and downs is someone you’d want in your corner. Emotional Support During Conception Can Improve Postpartum Outcomes Did you know that women who struggle with fertility are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression? Of course, we are never able to guarantee outcomes or promises to our clients. Our support is more of that emotional side for when things get tough. When you want to have a baby so badly, the struggle along with any additional guilt and shame can hit like a ton of bricks. It can compound and those feelings can come out during your fourth trimester. The world today doesn’t give us that sense of community and family type bond we need. Relationships with parents are strained more than they ever have been. Friendships can be flaky, and at times we rarely tell them if we’re struggling with something such as this personal struggle. Surrounding infertility or struggles conceiving a child, oftentimes parents to be, feel a sense of shame and guilt. Why is my body not working like everyone else? Even hearing it from someone who comes from a place of love and compassion, reminding you it’s not your fault can aid the process. You learn all the options I can’t tell you how often when people are struggling to conceive they don’t actually know there isn’t just one option – that option is often listed as hiring a doctor and getting either IUI or IVF done. When really I hold a goldmine of resources that can benefit different types of families who are trying to conceive. My goal and job lately has been trying to build relationships with other care providers in the healthcare field for women. People like nutritionists, herbalists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, fertility yoga instructors, energy healers, and so much more. I’ve read the books, I’m aware of the resources available to you and how to connect you with anything you might want. Reach out and you will see that support can provide you a lot of benefits. BONUS – Conceiving might actually not take that long… Now of course there is no factual information to this, but when I was studying to become a doula and learned what a fertility doula was, I had read an article on why we should offer you support, and in there they mentioned that her families have claimed that it can shorten your support window. Giving her even credit to her support during their time. Hopefully one day there will be a study done to give insight into this, that doulas are used and are benefiting people to help them. If you’re going through the fertility journey alone and decide that support might be for you, I am currently accepting clients. Even if you don’t get support from me, find someone, and lean on them. This can be a trying journey if you don’t have the proper people to support you.
