Doula Training: Comfort Measures & Labor Positions PDF

Doula Training & Mentorship Class 7: Comfort Measures & Labor Positions Labor Positions Sitting Position Pros: Good for resting Can still be used with a fetal monitoring machine Sitting on a toilet relaxes the perineum, which can help reduce tearing Cons: A hard toilet seat can...

Doula Training & Mentorship Class 7: Comfort Measures & Labor Positions Labor Positions Sitting Position Pros: Good for resting Can still be used with a fetal monitoring machine Sitting on a toilet relaxes the perineum, which can help reduce tearing Cons: A hard toilet seat can become uncomfortable May not be an option if client has had high blood pressure during pregnancy Hands & Knees Pros: Takes pressure off the spine, easing back pain May help boost baby’s oxygen level Cons: Client’s arms may get tired Birth Ball Pros: Can help move baby into a favorable birthing position Relieves back pressure Birthing ball labor positions can help encourage dilation and move baby deeper into the pelvis Cons: Can be difficult for client to keep balance Some birthing ball labor positions are difficult to do alone Squatting Pros: Helps open the pelvis Gives baby room to maneuver as they head toward the birth canal Cons: May become tiring Side-Lying Pros: Helps get oxygen to baby Can be used if you have high blood pressure Makes it easier to relax during contractions Cons: May be difficult to assess fetal heartbeat Upright Pros: Relieves backaches Can make contractions less painful Encourages baby to move deeper into the birth canal Cons: Not typically recommended for women with high blood pressure A telemetry unit is needed to continuously monitor the fetal heart rate Lunging Pros: Helps baby rotate or descend Opens the pelvis, giving baby more room Cons: Requires a partner to help you keep your balance Stairs Pros: Opens pelvis, allowing baby to drop farther and push on the cervix Helps baby rotate and get into a better birthing position Cons: Can be tiring, especially if you’ve been in labor for a while  Reclining Pros: Can release tension and relax the muscles May be a good alternative if a woman is tired but doesn’t want to lie down completely Cons: Can work against gravity Birth Stool Pros: Can help baby move farther down Relieves stress on the back Can increase dilation of the cervix Cons: Women may experience increased blood loss Birthing Bar Pros: Expands the pelvis Uses gravity to push baby down Cons: May not be available at all hospitals Kneeling Pros: Relieves pain of contractions Eases back pressure Cons: May be difficult for continuous fetal monitoring The Miles Circuit Step 1: Open Knee-Chest Position Time: 30 minutes Benefits: Allows for baby to scoot out of the pelvis and wiggle back into a new position Step 2: Exaggerated Side-Lying Time: 30 minutes Benefits: This is an opportunity for a deep, restorative stretch and opens the pelvis in an asymmetrical fashion. Step 3: Movement Time: 30 minutes Benefits: Gives baby the opportunity to use gravity to descend further in the pelvis Comfort Measures Rebozo Sifting the belly or hips Pulling the pelvis back Supported squatting Advanced rebozo techniques Let’s discuss! Massage Vibrating massage Massage gun Manual massage (by hand) Rolling massage (rolling pin or rolling ball) Counter Pressure Sacral press (good when the baby is still up high) Double hip squeeze (good for when the baby has descended some) Tennis ball press (on hands and knees or against the wall) TENS Unit A machine that sends an electric current through the muscles, typically used on the back The Gate Control Theory of Pain is a mechanism, in the spinal cord, in which pain signals can be sent up to the brain to be processed to accentuate the possible perceived pain, or attenuate it at the spinal cord itself. The 'gate' is the mechanism where pain signals can be let through or restricted. Compress Hot pack/cloth Electric heating pad Cold pack/cloth Ice Most effective when used intermittently Hydrotherapy Shower Pouring water Small bathtub (home) Large bathtub (home/hospital) Birthing pool (home/birth center) Acupressure Specific pressure points on the body used to induce labor Let’s discuss! Other Comfort Measures Low-Intervention Clinical Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) Sterile water injections Mental/Emotional Distraction Position affirmations Music/sound Aromatherapy Hypnosis (Hypnobabies/hypnobirthing) Let’s discuss! Until Next Class… Things to think about Things to do All of the different techniques Research Spinning Babies we have and why an epidural is method. This is an advanced often times not necessary! method to promote optimal positioning for baby. Research Hypnobabies. This is an advanced comfort measure which utilizes guided imagery and hypnosis.