Sweet Pea Births

Chandler, Arizona

Sweet Pea ​Births

...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth

Blog

« Back to Blog « Older Entry | Newer Entry »

Natural Labor Coping Techniques

Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Here are some of the ways we recommend our students manage their labor without analgesics or anesthetics.  Even when they are used in labor, we are so happy that our couples use them as tools to manage a long labor and their children are born nursing vigorously and with high APGAR scores.

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Mom and Coach are informed. 
Through the course of The Bradley Method® class series, parents are taught about what to expect as “normal” in labor, what the variations on normal might be, the different options and interventions in labor, and how to recognize a complication that warrants a change in the plan for a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome.    

We also teach positive communication, something intended to strengthen the parental bond, as well as serve for positive interactions in the birth space with care providers and support personnel.  Our goal is that parents have the tools they need to evaluate labor, communicate their needs to care providers, and ask the questions they need to make informed decisions about the choices they may have to make in labor.   

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Mom and Coach are athletes. 
An athlete with an eye on crossing the finish line does four things:  They train, they rest, they nourish and they hydrate.  Dr. Bradley called his patients “obstetrical athletes”.    

His nurse, Rhonda Hartman, designed a training program just for moms to prepare them for labor.  We are still teaching our couples this training program, starting with week one of class and continuing until the time of birth.  We also “train” relaxation.  Each couple is encouraged to take the weekly technique and practice at least 15 minutes per day so that there is muscle memory for relaxation when it is needed in labor.   

We continually harp on the importance of sleep in the weeks leading up to labor and once labor starts.  We learned this lesson the hard way, and as excited as we know our students are going to get as they anticipate the birth of their child, we want them to try to rest.  Getting to the magic number of “10 cm” is only the first part of labor – once they reach 10 cm, they also need energy for the second stage of labor to welcome their child into this world.   

We also echo Dr. Bradley’s advice to eat if you’re hungry, drink if you’re thirsty.  He makes the analogy that going through labor without eating or drinking is like playing a full game of football without any substitutions.  The body is working and burning energy to birth your baby, it makes sense to follow mom’s physical cues.  As long as mom is okay and baby is okay, we have found that mom’s appetite will naturally decrease as labor intensifies; and as with an actual marathon, that the need to hydrate is as important in early labor as it is when mom is close to crossing the finish line.   

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Water is your friend.
As stated above, a hydrated mother makes for an optimal obstetrical athlete.  She is hydrated for energy and optimal hormone distribution throughout labor.   

 Water is also a excellent relaxation tool.  It works magic in labor: the warmth and the sensation move tension away from the body and adding a layer of relaxation as it works to soothe the mother’s body.  I have heard it called, “The Midwives Epidural”.    

Many hospital moms now have access to the birth tubs that are used very effectively at birth centers or at home births.  If  using a birthing tub or home bathtub is not an option, then the shower can also be an effective tool.  The sensation of water will still massage and soothe the body.  With a shower hose attachment, the water can also be directed at the body where it is the most soothing for the laboring mother. 
  

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Use abdominal breathing.
Abdominal breathing is taught in many settings to deepen relaxation – yoga, hypnosis, meditation, stress relief, and in The Bradley Method® of natural childbirth classes!  Abdominal breathing is also known as diaphragmatic breathing.  Basically, you are allowing your belly to rise and fall as you breath instead of your chest.  If you watch children breathe, or if you remember what it was like to breathe before someone told you that you needed to suck in your stomach, you will know what it means to breath with your abdomen.   

Abdominal breath is an important foundation for relaxation.  It slows down our mind and it allows or bodies to release tension.  We teach abdominal breathing in class 2 so we can build on it through the rest of the series.   

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Coach is a relaxation expert. 
Coach needs to know what relaxes their partner.  Does mom respond to physical touch?  What kind of touch?  Does she like a strong counter-pressure or gentle effleurage?  Does she like a relaxation script, a prayer or a story read to her?  Does she feel safe in her birth space?     

By the end of The Bradley Method® class series, we have covered these, and many more questions, to help the Coach be a relaxation expert on their partner.  We also teach 11 different relaxation techniques for coaches to put into their “toolbox” to use as needed as labor progresses.   

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Have a trusted assistant coach. 
Champion sports teams have a stellar assistant coaching staff.  The head coach doesn’t try to do it all – he delegates and finds the best person to train his team so that he can keep his eye on the big picture and continue leading and motivating his team.   

We have noticed that couples with an assistant coach generally end up with births that are closer to the birth wishes they made in preparation for their labor.  The extra set of hands, the extra energy in labor make a difference.  The couples that hire doulas also have an experienced birth professional to help them manage the map of labor.  A good birth doula doesn’t take over the birth, she will help the couple to recognize the signs of progress and make suggestions for coach to support the mom.   

Even if you feel like you want to be just Mom and Coach, you can benefit from an assistant coach coming in for a period in labor.  When we labored with Angelika, a dear friend of ours came in and labored with me when Bruss needed rest.  I had been laying down the first day, resting and napping since we know we have long labors.  Bruss had been checking in on me, taking care of our older children while we waited for family to arrive to tend to them, and he took care of feeding all of us.  He REALLY needed to sleep after dinner that night.  Andrea came, labored with me as long as she could, and when it was time for her to get back to her own family, Bruss was rested and ready to be head coach again.  I am forever grateful for her time that night – it allowed for Bruss to rest and restore for the long work we still had ahead of us.   

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Break the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle. 
We break the Fear by teaching couples what to expect in a normal labor, along with the many variations on “normal”.  We also break the Fear by discussing the complications and sharing strategies and options for them to consider if they are among the small percentage of people that face complications in labor.   

We break the Tension by teaching Mom and Coach to be relaxation experts.  We break the Tension by teaching couples to communicate together, and how to communicate with their care team for effective and positive interactions.   

We break the Pain by reminding mothers that labor is an athletic event.  It isn’t always easy, however it is doable.  We invite couples from the previous class come share their stories with our current class.  I have seen the “light bulbs” click for both Moms and Coach when the other “first-timers” share their stories.  It makes it more realistic to hear that other newbies had Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcomes by using the information they learned in class.  It reassures them that the intensity is brief compared to the joy of holding their children.  The new parents confirm that the work is worth the effort, and that staying the course and/or making Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby choices are rewarded with a happy family outcome.    

We also encourage couples to find affirmations, prayers, scripts and/or music to draw energy from in labor.  Labor is an exercise in intensity that ebbs and flows.  Having something to focus on besides the intensity that is growing helps to focus mom on the work that she is doing.  They can also restore and encourage her when she wants to give into the pain.    

By having knowledge, training and tools, couples are well on their way to a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome.   

What was a natural labor coping technique that worked for you during your labor?   

Disclaimer:  
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. 

Categories: Birth center, Birth plans, Bradley Method® outcome, Bradley® Coaches, Coaches, Coaching, Doulas, Drinking during labor, Eating during labor, Epidural, First stage labor, Heat Comfort Measures, Homebirth, Hospital Birth, Labor Marathon, Labor Sprint, Managing or coping with natural labor, Midwife, natural labor coping mechanisms, Natural labor coping techniques, Obstetrical Care, Pain management, Pain management natural labor, Second Stage Labor, The Bradley Method®, The Bradley Method® classes, The Bradley Method® pain management, Why we chose the Bradley Method® childbirth classes

Post a Comment

Oops!

Oops, you forgot something.

Oops!

The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.

283 Comments

Reply Larina Staggers
3:39 PM on June 10, 2012 
Something that really helped us in labor was remembering some of the relaxation techniques we had practiced. We referred to one of the color visual relaxations, and when I was in the middle of a really hard contraction Matt would say a color and I would just focus on the image that color represented. This was especially helpful in the final stages of labor when you can't do a lengthy relaxation. Just focusing on one color image was a quick and easy way to take my mind off things.
Reply lebron james shoes
10:33 PM on August 23, 2021 
I really wanted to make a note so as to thank you for these awesome tips you are giving at this site. My particularly long internet search has at the end been paid with good information to talk about with my companions. I would say that most of us website visitors are unequivocally endowed to be in a useful place with many outstanding professionals with insightful points. I feel extremely privileged to have come across your weblog and look forward to so many more fabulous moments reading here. Thanks a lot again for everything.
lebron james shoes http://www.lebron18.net
Reply cheap jordans
10:34 PM on August 23, 2021 
Thank you so much for giving everyone an extremely nice chance to read in detail from this site. It's always so good and full of a great time for me and my office friends to search your website not less than 3 times in 7 days to learn the fresh secrets you have got. And lastly, I'm so certainly amazed with your spectacular advice you serve. Selected 1 tips on this page are definitely the most beneficial we've had.
cheap jordans http://www.cheap-airjordans.us.com
Reply off white outlet
10:35 PM on August 23, 2021 
I together with my guys happened to be following the best guides from your web blog and quickly I had a horrible suspicion I never thanked the site owner for those strategies. The boys appeared to be as a consequence thrilled to study all of them and now have absolutely been taking pleasure in those things. Appreciate your actually being indeed considerate and then for having varieties of remarkable issues most people are really wanting to be aware of. My personal honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
off white outlet http://www.offwhiteoutlet.us.org
Reply off white
10:35 PM on August 23, 2021 
I wish to express my appreciation to this writer for bailing me out of this type of situation. As a result of searching throughout the world-wide-web and obtaining proposals that were not helpful, I assumed my life was done. Being alive without the strategies to the issues you've fixed through your good short post is a serious case, as well as ones which may have negatively affected my entire career if I hadn't discovered your blog. Your own personal mastery and kindness in maneuvering every item was important. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not discovered such a thing like this. I can also at this time look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for the skilled and results-oriented help. I won't be reluctant to refer your web sites to anybody who would like guidance about this problem.
off white http://www.off--white.us.com
Reply yeezy boost 500
10:37 PM on August 23, 2021 
Thanks so much for giving everyone an extremely superb chance to read in detail from this blog. It really is very nice and packed with a lot of fun for me and my office peers to search your site not less than three times per week to study the latest guidance you will have. And lastly, I am just usually fascinated concerning the attractive creative concepts you serve. Selected 3 points on this page are without a doubt the very best we've had.
yeezy boost 500 http://www.yeezy-500.us.com
Reply supreme
10:37 PM on August 23, 2021 
A lot of thanks for all your labor on this blog. Ellie really likes managing research and it's simple to grasp why. Many of us learn all about the lively way you create advantageous thoughts by means of this web site and therefore strongly encourage contribution from people about this area of interest while my simple princess is really becoming educated a great deal. Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year. You are always carrying out a pretty cool job.
supreme http://www.supremeclothings.com
Reply jordan sneakers
1:40 PM on August 25, 2021 
I intended to create you one very small note so as to thank you very much once again for your wonderful strategies you have shown here. It's really wonderfully generous of you to make extensively what many of us might have sold as an e book to help make some dough for themselves, principally seeing that you could possibly have done it if you decided. These good ideas additionally acted to be the good way to understand that other people have similar dream just like mine to learn more and more with regard to this issue. I believe there are numerous more pleasant instances in the future for individuals that look into your website.
jordan sneakers http://www.jordanssneakers.us.com
Reply curry 7 shoes
1:41 PM on August 25, 2021 
Thank you for all your valuable work on this web page. My aunt really likes carrying out investigations and it's really obvious why. Almost all hear all relating to the lively means you give good guidance by means of the blog and therefore boost participation from people about this subject matter then our favorite princess is truly discovering a lot of things. Take advantage of the rest of the new year. You are always performing a useful job.
curry 7 shoes http://www.curry7.us
Reply yeezy 700
1:44 PM on August 25, 2021 
I must convey my love for your generosity giving support to all those that should have help with in this issue. Your very own dedication to getting the solution up and down has been extremely beneficial and has consistently enabled individuals like me to get to their desired goals. Your amazing useful guideline means a great deal a person like me and even more to my fellow workers. Thanks a lot; from all of us.
yeezy 700 http://www.yeezy-700.com
Reply yeezy boost 500
1:45 PM on August 25, 2021 
I in addition to my pals were actually taking note of the best secrets and techniques located on your website then then I had a horrible suspicion I never thanked the site owner for those strategies. All of the young boys ended up consequently excited to see them and now have seriously been loving those things. Appreciation for genuinely very accommodating and also for figuring out such smart topics most people are really desirous to know about. My personal honest regret for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.
yeezy boost 500 http://www.yeezy-500.us.com
Reply kyrie 7
6:11 PM on August 30, 2021 
I actually wanted to write down a brief word to say thanks to you for all of the wonderful steps you are giving out at this site. My prolonged internet search has at the end of the day been honored with excellent knowledge to go over with my friends. I would mention that many of us website visitors are very lucky to dwell in a decent network with many marvellous individuals with good suggestions. I feel very much grateful to have discovered the website and look forward to really more entertaining times reading here. Thanks again for a lot of things.
kyrie 7 http://www.kyrie7shoes.us
Reply bape
6:12 PM on August 30, 2021 
I must show thanks to the writer just for bailing me out of this type of setting. Right after searching through the the web and coming across opinions which were not productive, I figured my entire life was well over. Living devoid of the solutions to the issues you have solved by way of your entire short post is a critical case, as well as ones that would have in a wrong way affected my entire career if I hadn't discovered your website. The know-how and kindness in maneuvering all the things was important. I don't know what I would've done if I had not discovered such a thing like this. I'm able to at this point relish my future. Thanks for your time so much for your reliable and result oriented guide. I will not think twice to refer your web sites to any person who would need guide on this problem.
bape http://www.bathing-ape.us
Reply kyrie 7 shoes
6:12 PM on August 30, 2021 
I precisely wanted to thank you so much all over again. I am not sure the things that I would've done without the type of solutions documented by you about such subject. It previously was a scary issue in my position, nevertheless looking at a new well-written manner you processed it forced me to cry over delight. I'm just happy for your help and in addition trust you comprehend what a great job that you're putting in teaching most people thru your blog post. Most likely you've never met all of us.
kyrie 7 shoes http://www.kyrie7.us
Reply kobe basketball shoes
6:15 PM on August 30, 2021 
I actually wanted to write down a quick remark so as to express gratitude to you for all the magnificent tricks you are showing here. My considerable internet research has at the end of the day been rewarded with incredibly good know-how to exchange with my neighbours. I 'd admit that most of us visitors actually are very much lucky to dwell in a wonderful community with so many special individuals with insightful opinions. I feel pretty grateful to have come across your webpages and look forward to plenty of more excellent minutes reading here. Thank you again for all the details.
kobe basketball shoes http://www.kobebasketballshoes.net
Reply yeezy shoes
6:58 PM on September 1, 2021 
I not to mention my buddies were found to be digesting the excellent secrets and techniques found on your web site while unexpectedly developed a horrible feeling I had not expressed respect to you for those secrets. My young men appeared to be certainly stimulated to see them and now have definitely been tapping into these things. Appreciation for turning out to be really kind and then for figuring out this sort of beneficial topics most people are really wanting to know about. My very own honest regret for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
yeezy shoes http://www.shoesyeezy.com
Reply golden goose outlet
7:00 PM on September 1, 2021 
My spouse and i ended up being quite glad that Edward managed to conclude his analysis using the ideas he came across when using the web pages. It's not at all simplistic to simply possibly be giving freely helpful hints that many a number of people may have been selling. And we also discover we've got the blog owner to appreciate for this. All the explanations you made, the straightforward website menu, the relationships you can assist to instill - it is many wonderful, and it's assisting our son in addition to us do think that matter is satisfying, and that is truly essential. Thank you for the whole lot!
golden goose outlet http://www.goldengooseoutletstore.com
Reply kyrie 6 shoes
7:06 PM on September 3, 2021 
My husband and i felt absolutely ecstatic that Peter could conclude his preliminary research using the precious recommendations he grabbed through your web site. It is now and again perplexing to just always be handing out secrets and techniques which usually people have been selling. We really keep in mind we've got the blog owner to appreciate for that. The type of illustrations you've made, the easy website navigation, the friendships you can give support to foster - it's many overwhelming, and it is assisting our son in addition to our family imagine that this subject is satisfying, which is certainly really essential. Thanks for all the pieces!
kyrie 6 shoes http://www.kyrie6.org
Reply giannis shoes
7:07 PM on September 3, 2021 
I needed to put you one little bit of observation in order to say thank you yet again for your personal superb suggestions you've shown at this time. It was incredibly generous of people like you giving easily precisely what most people might have sold as an e book to get some dough for themselves, certainly considering that you might well have done it in the event you desired. Those basics also served as a easy way to realize that many people have the same zeal just like my personal own to understand somewhat more with regard to this issue. I'm certain there are thousands of more fun sessions in the future for many who check out your website.
giannis shoes http://www.giannisantetokounmposhoes.us
Reply kyrie irving shoes
7:08 PM on September 3, 2021 
I simply needed to thank you so much once more. I am not sure what I would have carried out without the actual advice contributed by you concerning this situation. Previously it was a traumatic issue for me, but encountering the very specialized technique you handled the issue took me to jump over happiness. I am happy for your support and even hope you find out what a powerful job that you are providing teaching most people all through your webblog. I'm certain you have never encountered any of us.
kyrie irving shoes http://www.kyrieirving-shoes.us.com

Categories


/
Lightbox image