Birth Basics Becoming Physiological Birthing
Champions
Kaisa Tuominen
• Birth is a normal physiological human function • Birth is not an emergency, pregnancy is not an illness • Birth is a hormonal dance – facilitating hormones
facilitates birthing making it safer and easier. Perturbing hormones makes birthing more difficult and more dangerous
• Birthing is never 100% risk free no matter where and
how the woman gives birth
• Physiological birthing
• Respected birthing
• Types of births
– Where?
– With assistence?
– Spontaneous vs induced
– Medicalized vs non-medicalized
– Pain relief?
– Instruments?
– Surgical?
– Perineal damage?
Adrenaline Oxytocin
Endorphins
Sphincter Law (Ina May Gaskin)
• Sphincters function best in privacy and with intimacy
• Sphincters can not be opened at will and do not respond well to
commands
• Sphincters can suddenly close down if the person becomes
upset, frightened, humiliated or self-conscious
• Adrenaline does not favor opening of sphincters
• Relaxation of the mouth and jaw is directly correlated to the
ability of the cervix, the vagina and the anus to open
• Slow, deep breathing aids the opening of sphincters
Phases of birth
Prebirth
Dilation (active birth)
Transition
Rest and be Thankful
Expulsive (Fetal ejection reflex)
Placenta
What do women need during birthing: • Feel safe
• Tranquillity, stay calm
• Respect, love, admiration
• Confidence in her innate ability to give birth
• To be the protagonist and have her wishes respected
• Rhythm – ritual – birth planet
• Relax the face and all muscles of the body. Not to fight the contractions.
• Movement
• Proper environment (lights, temperature, not being observed)
Brain
Tension Pain
Fear
Dialation
• Helpful postures – Asymmetric movements
– Open left iliac
• Stay calm
• Go to “birth planet”
Expulsive
• “Purple pushing”
• Physiological pushing
• Postures
• Pelvic floor muscle involvement
Structural • Movement Nervous System • Breathing • Vocalization Emotional system – connect with baby • Visualization • Affirmations /Mantras • Hypnosis / Deep relaxation Gateway theory • Touch • Pressure • Massage/friction • Cold/heat • Water • Tens • Acupuncture/pressure
Birthing Tools (pain management)
WHO recomendations:
• Birth partner
• Liquids
• IV
• Vaginal exams
• Shaving, enemas
• Amniotomy
• Oxytocin
• Monitoring
• Environment
• Postures (lithotomy)
• Epidural
• Kristeller
• Episiotomia
• Skin to skin, no separation
• Physiological cord clamping
Cascade of interventions http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cascade-of-
intervention.jpg
Increasing chances of a physiological birth
• Choose carefully with whom and where
• Say no to an induction
• Stay at home as long as possible
• Have a doula
• Be healthy and fit
• Be informed and prepared
• Increase oxytocin, decrease adrenaline
• “shut down” neo cortex
• Hormone favoring athmosphere
Your role is important!
You have an amazing opportunity to educate, empower and make a difference in the health and quality of life for this mom, her baby and her family and ultimately the society and the world.
Your work changes the world.
Kaisa Tuominen & Jenny Burrell
Kaisa Tuominen