'OSifying' your Labor and Delivery
Jan 18, 2015
A little over 3 months ago I was sitting in a doctors office being told that today would be the day I brought my little girl into the world. I was going to be induced that afternoon so she could make a faster appearance.
Fast forward about 4 hours later... I had opted for a natural childbirth. No epidural, and no meds. I just couldn't imagine being stuck in my bed for hour upon hour without being able to move when I wanted to. With my first child, I chose this option to move and was able to get up and walk around right after I had him.
Now fast forward another 3-4 hours... After the pitocin finally kicked some contractions in high gear and my water broke, things were starting to get real.
Once my water broke, my mid-wife and I decided that I would move into a new position every 30 minutes until I couldn't do it anymore. So what did I do? Well first, I decided to walk around a bit, or as much as I could considering I was hooked up to a machine to monitor contractions. My next 30 minutes I squatted. Throughout the laboring process I also tried sitting in the 'lego-squat position' (a very pregnant version of this), as well as bounced around on a ball, and stood up leaning over a table, but of all of these, my favorite position, and the one I retreated to when things got the hardest, was the rocking position.
For those of you unfamiliar with this position... you just get down on all fours and rock your butt back to your calves/feet. Then you rock forward to bring your shoulders back in front of your arm. Here is an old video that talks a little bit about rocking.
I rocked back and forth, not caring about how ridiculous I looked in this position while trying to keep my butt covered up in my hospital gown. I rocked on all fours and when contractions came, I would get down into the commando position and focus on breathing deeply. By placing myself into this position, my midwife believes I was able to help speed up the delivery process by helping to get the rest of the water out of the way so my contractions could get strong enough to get me dilated. While the contractions definitely got stronger, I can honestly say that being down in the rocking position made getting through the contractions so much easier than in my experience with first child.
When it came time for pushing, I knew it was really time for me to hone in on my breath. I slowly breathed letting my diaphragm do the work of helping me control the pain and stay focused. I laid there just focusing on getting the air in, and out, and watching my belly float up and down, knowing that with each breath I was controlling my heart rate, connecting my inner core unit, and stabilizing my pelvic floor. I tried my best to focus on just the breathing and not just waiting to feel another contraction.
Soon enough, it was time to push. I stayed focused on breathing and getting my body ready for the next step.... push time.
Baby girl was ready to meet the world. With some controlled breathing, focus, and a supportive husband and wonderful midwife and nurse, I pushed 4 good times, and she was here. I continued to focus on my breathing as I recovered from the delivery and held this sweet girl.
She was here, and I had made it through another delivery and felt great and of course, so happy.
Looking back, I can say that I felt so connected and in-tune with my body. I was able to isolate the muscles needed for pushing. I felt calm and controlled.
Anyways, I'm sharing my experience in hopes that it can help other women chose to move and find a way to press reset in the delivery room. Rocking will not only soothe the mother, but also can be soothing to baby, and will help in gently stimulating and strengthening the pelvic floor as well as moving baby into a good birthing position. Rocking also will help to alleviate back pain.
Go ahead mommas, find a way to 'OSify' your labor and delivery and let us know how it goes! If you want to know more about how you can try this during your delivery, please feel free to reach out! I love to share with other momma's looking for support.
Dani Almeyda is a Movement Specialist and OS Master Instructor. She has been working in the health and fitness industry for about 10 years and has worked with clients of all ages and abilities from elite athletes and fire and rescue personnel to seniors, pregnant women, and those suffering from physical and mental disabilities. Almeyda has a passion for life and movement and believes we were all truly made to move.
Almeyda is a devoted wife of a fireman, and mother of 2 (a two-year-old boy, and a 3 month old little baby girl), and is co-owner with Tim Anderson of the Original Strength Institute in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
Dani is available for distance training or private training sessions. If you are interested, email Dani@originalstrength.net.
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