How can I work on a women in labor????

[dobermann lover]

Does anyone have advise on techniques, pressure, location for when a woman goes into labor?  Thanks!!

 

[Abi]

Do you want to do this for just for one person, or professionally?Either way, check out http://www.dona.org/From Spinning BabiesThere are several steps in becoming a certified doula. They are not difficult, but take some planning. If you take the steps in this order, with quite a bit of flexibility available for your schedule, you will save time and money.1) Begin reading one or more of your five required books. I suggest The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin. The list of books is at DONA.org2)Take a 12-hour childbirth class....more steps can be found on the link.A lot of the no-go areas during pregnancy are used for labour - top of shoulders, inside heel, little toe, etc.The main thing to remeber is the mother will go through phases where something feels good and then it feels totally wrong 5 seconds later.  You have to stay on your toes, no way can you slip into "that worked an hour ago, I'll do it again".

 

[james r]

How can I work on a women in labor????

You might PM Janey, too, and ask her directly.

 

[Pompal 09.]

How can I work on a women in labor????

For those who are interested in Pregnancy Massage may wish to have a look at http://www.wellmother.org/ they offer some fantastic courses dealing with this very subject. I haven't attended one yet, but plan to do so. I have heard nothing but praise for Suzanne Yates and her work, from therapists and mothers.Interestingly for a british course this one is NCBTMB accredited, and Suzzanne often travels to the US and Canada and around the world to teach it.Mat xxx

 

[frizzy-head]

Oh I remember my daughter being so HYPERsensitive to touch every now and again throughout her labor process.  She NEEDED me to touch her and then would turn into the devil when we did it again.  She wanted her Dh then wanted me then back again....Take the advice for finding out more and then ask mom.When it is positive for her and you are helping the help is so tremendous.I know this will sound cliche...but this is a time that no one can really describe(the pain)...Robyn

 

[Angela M]

I really liked the CEU course Bodywork for the Childbearing Year.  Lots of great information.  I was able to be with my daughter during labor and I am so thankful I had taken this certification course.  It really helped me feel comfortable with her and it also allowed me to help her husband feel comfortable about helping as well.LeContefairy

 

[Me and My Friends!]

My daughter had most of her labor pains in her lower back. When I found out my daughter was pregnant, I spoke with one of my instructors from when I was in school, and she recommended stroking with the knuckles from the sacrum out, and glute compressions from a sidelying position. My daughter swears it helped her. Since I am not certified in L&D massage, I did this under her OB's supervision. She also liked hand, arm and neck massage. I also did some light, relaxing work on her feet and legs. I cannot stress enough that this was done with the permission and supervision of her doc. I worked on her in different areas for hours, but unfortunately, she ended up having a C-section , so I was not able to see the baby born.

 

[Unworthy King]

labor massage

Hi everyone,

Labor massage can be a wonderful experience, both for the mother and the therapist. Everyone's suggestions so far have been right on. Naturally, a lot of it depends on what the mother's specific needs are. For back pain, I like to use the double hip squeeze, where the therapist (or partner, doula, etc) places their hands on either side of the posterior illiac spines, and presses medially during a contraction. You usually have to push fairly hard, but the mom will guide you. This opens the pelvis, giving the baby more room to come down, as well as taking the pressure of the mother's sacrum.

Speaking of the sacrum, direct and continual pressure on it usually feels amazing to the mom. Peal mentioned glute compressions in a sidelying postion, and this is a great idea. Also, some trigger point work on the lateral rotaters works wonders. Jostling the thighs, and gentle efflaurage over this area is great too.

Let's not forget cramp management. Women in labor often get cramps in their calves and feel. Reciprocal inhibitions can be useful for this, as well as just kneading the affected areas.

To keep contractions going (sometimes labor stalls out), Spleen 6 and the hoku point work well. I've actually had moms hooked up to external monitors, and we could see the contraction pick up in intensity when these points are worked. Quite amazing!

Good luck!

 

[hunbun]

It really will depend on how she is feeling, moment by moment. And take your thickest skin with you, don't be offended if one second she loves what you're doing and the next moment is screaming for you to stop and to get the hel* away from her!
Once she's actually in labor you can pretty much work anywhere that feels good, almost all the precautions that apply during pregnancy (this includes EO uses) go out the window once she's in labor.
Jill
p.s. if you're looking for doula training, I took the ALACE course back in '03 and it was WONDERFUL!

 

[Parachromis]

bumping this up 'cause I have the same question.
I am not looking to do labor massage regularly, just one time.
I have NO training in pregnancy or labor massage, so any advice would be welcome, specifically regarding massage during labor.
Thanks.

 

[Yia!]

acupressure

http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/debra_betts/

An acupuncturist gives acupressure tips for labor.
Download as pdf file.