Movement and positions Use gravity to help you during labour and birth. Also, empty your bladder hourly. Both, being upright and an empty bladder maximises your body’s ability to give birth. Movement, like walking or a good wiggle may help speed up labour.
Choosing a birth partner It is important to have the right person / people with you during labour and birth. Birth partners can be more important than pain relief. When choosing your birth partner(s) think about: Who calms you down when your are anxious? Who has a calming influence and makes you feel loved? Who… Continue reading Self-help skills for labour and birth #3
Breathing You might breathe really fast or hold your breath when you are frightened. More adrenaline will be released and labour gets more painful. When you are breathing slowly it will be easier for you to be calm and relaxed. Also your baby will be supplied with more oxygen. To calm yourself during and between… Continue reading Self-help skills for labour & Birth #2
Labour, how does it work? Oxytocin is the hormone which triggers your contractions and keeps them coming. Oxytocin is also known as the hormone of love. At the same time, your body produces another hormone, prostaglandin, which helps softening the neck of your womb (the cervix) to help it to open up (dilate) to allow… Continue reading Self-help skills for labour & birth #1
