Evidence Based Birth on Routine Practices

You can see the detailed list of references here: http://evidencebasedbirth.com/updated-table-on-the-state-of-maternity-care-in-the-u-s/ and here http://www.improvingbirth.org/2012/11/state-of-maternity-care/

Why Natural Birth? This is Why.

http://youtu.be/A4xsaTPl79s

Get some rebozo love

Often the best wisdom is the ancient wisdom.

A rebozo is a pretty fantastic little discovery, but it isn’t anything new. Mexican women have been using them for centuries, serving every purpose from outfit accessory – the variety is really quite beautiful – to baby carrier.

(Scroll to the bottom of this page for some photos of a rebozo in action as a baby carrier)

In pregnancy and labor, the rebozo has long been used on the Yucatan Peninsula to help mothers have drug-free births, which is what has brought this simple tool to your doula’s bag of tricks hundreds upon thousands of miles away!

Sifting (sometimes called jiggling)

To use the sifting or jiggling technique, mom kneels on a pillow with her head resting in her arms on a chair (or birth ball, or bed) in front of her. Make sure the object she is leaning against is well-braced so that she doesn’t have to worry. She relaxes, belly away from the chair.

The doula or birth partner puts the rebozo around mom, cradling baby, and stands close to her hips, lifting her belly with the rebozo and then beginning to gently rock. The doula or partner is holding the ends of the rebozo like reins.

The partner starts slowly and speeds up when mom is comfortable, and slows down before stopping, to avoid abrupt movements. There are other ways to do the technique, too. (Thanks to Spinning Babies for the great explanation.)

This can be done at any time in pregnancy and between contractions in early labor to help a woman relax into her labor by easing tightness in ligaments and feelings of tension.

Here is a daddy doing a great job with the technique!

This video shows some doulas learning the technique in a training.

Positioning baby

The sifting technique has also been shown to help with positioning of baby. Some recommend using it daily if you are in a “crunch” to get baby turned into optimal position for birth.

Hip squeeze

Oh how laboring mothers the world over love the relief of the double hip squeeze. The technique opens the pelvis and reduces back pain. But the average hubby or doula can only keep up this muscle-intensive position for a few minutes at a time. Enter the rebozo!

By wrapping the rebozo tightly around mom’s hips and then using the ends to apply pressure, leverage can make the job easy-peasy.

This video does a great job of illustrating the technique.

Blocking out distractions

Birth can be such a time of sensory overload. Sometimes what mom really needs is a few minutes to find calm and re-center, especially before a big change happens, like entering transition or transferring to the hospital/birth center. The rebozo can be tied around mom’s head (as loosely or tightly as is her preference) to cover her eyes and ears, blocking out distractions and reducing stress. This technique is not for everyone, but for some, it can be very effective.

If you are a visual learner, you will appreciate the photosfrom this training by Patti Ramos.

What other techniques might you use a rebozo for? I would love to hear!

Cautions

Like anything else, please use caution when utilizing these techniques. I don’t know of any studies that have been done on risks, but please be aware and use care. Do not use with moms who have history of miscarriage or warning signs such as bleeding and early labor.

Home birth may be the best for low risk pregnancy

We believe all women should have the birth that is right for them.


With that in mind, we wanted to share this interesting article on home birth. Is it right for you?

Trust Birth

Trust Birth -- I love the concept behind this site!

Safe delivery: traditional birth attendants in Liberia

An Informed and Educated Breech Birth

An Informed and Educated Breech Birth

Birth is an Amazing Journey

Birth is an Amazing Journey -- this photo tells such a lovely story.

Placenta Encapsulation Instructions

Placenta Encapsulation Instructions from the Natural Pregnancy Mentor.

Doing the Impossible!

Totally love this quote I just snagged from the Hypnobabies page!

Some people believe comfortable, drug-free birth is 'impossible'. We know otherwise at Hypnobabies...

"There's not much use in trying," said Alice. "One can't believe impossible things."

 "I dare say that you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "Why sometimes, I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

~ from "Alice In Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll (1865)

Evangeline Lilly on natural birth

Here's another celebrity in the news talking about natural birth. Check out this interview with Evangeline Lilly of Real Steel.

Last Minute Tips for a Natural Hospital Birth

Birth With Confidence does some beautiful blog posts. Here is one on last minute tips for natural birth in a hospital. What would you add?

Surrender: A Letter To My Baby

I knew I loved Birth Without Fear. But I may not have realized how much until I read this letter she wrote to her unborn baby. It's a great read. And if you haven't checked out her blog yet, I highly recommend it!

Natural Birth Gaining New Traction

This news report says natural birth is gaining new traction. What are your thoughts?

Baby in a Hurry!

This woman had a baby on her flight! That little one was in a hurry, and couldn't wait for landing!

Waterbirth resources

Interested in waterbirth? Here are some great resources!

Birth Matters - and So Do I

This is an incredibly powerful peace - Please take the time to read it!!
 
... that the birth matters ... and so do I.

Choices in Birth

The Birthing Site.com has posted a short documentary on choices in birth you might find interesting. It is important to be aware that you aren't simply at someone else's mercy in your birth experience - you DO have choices!

Natural birth story

Here is a really short and sweet story of natural birth by a mother in the Phillipines. We hope you find it empowering!

Have a Natural Childbirth

Have a Natural Childbirth is a fantastic blog created by a coalition of doulas, midwives and other natural childbirth advocates to help you explore and discover the joys of natural childbirth. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!