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