Lamaze Magazine 2009

if labor is Slow Most labors and births happen as nature intended. However, there are times when labor stalls. Perhaps the baby is in the wrong position or is larger than average in size (larger babies can take longer to make their way through the birth canal). A prolonged labor could be weakening the uterus. Maybe the mother is afraid of the pain, or experiencing anxiety about the uncertainty of parenthood. Or, something else entirely may be at play. The bottom line is that a stalled labor doesn’t necessarily mean trouble. What it does mean is that it’s time to employ some special labor techniques to help you over this hurdle. Most women will find that in order to change the baby’s position, they must change their position. Here are some positions you might find helpful: dangle This position is useful when the baby’s head seems to be “stuck.” It allows the pressure of the baby’s head and movements to lengthen the shape of the pelvis, so the baby has more room and can find the “path of least resistance.” It also helps you relax your abdominal muscles. To do: Have your partner sit on the edge of a raised bed or sturdy counter with his or her legs apart and feet supported. Back into your partner. Next, hook your arms around his knees and grab his calves.Then, bend your knees and “sit.” Your feet should be wide apart. Allow your partner to bear most of your weight. Repeat this through several contractions as needed. lunge The lunge position can help turn a baby to the proper position. Lunging helps to “enlarge” the pelvis, giving the baby room to rotate. It can be done in both the first and second stages of labor. To do: Stand facing a chair, step or low bed with your feet wide apart.Then, raise one foot and place it on the chair seat. Rotate the raised knee and foot outward and lunge, bending your raised knee and lowering your head and chest toward the floor. Finally, return to an upright stance. Repeat this through several contractions.You should feel a stretch in both inner thighs. If you don’t, try widening your stance. You can also do this lunge by putting one knee on the floor. Or, in bed, pile three or four pillows in front of you. Place your top knee on the pillows and extend your bottom leg back at an angle, as far as you can comfortably handle.You’ll look like a hurdler lying down. Change sides as is comfortable for you. Stomp Squat & Stomp Squat push This is another useful position to try if your baby is out of alignment or is not descending. This position also increases the diameter of your pelvis – making more room for baby to move. And the stomping movements also will encourage the baby to change her position. To do: Hold the waist of your partner. In the first stage of labor, as contractions begin, literally start stomping around the room (picture an elephant moving). When the contraction reaches its peak, squat through the rest of the contraction. In the second stage of labor, push at the peak of the contraction, while in the squatting position. Cons | Hard for health-care provider to help with birth knee-CheSt pros | Good for back labor | assists with rotation of baby, if needed | Takes pressure off hemorrhoids | Good position to avoid tearing or episiotomy | Good delivery position for large baby | Helpful if fetal heart tones are low Cons | Hard for your support team to maintain eye contact with you | Hard for you to see what’s going on SeMi-Sitting pros | Comfortable | Good use of gravity Good resting position Works well in hospital beds | Good visibility at birth for your support team | easy access to fetal heart tones for your health-care provider Cons | access to your perineum can be poor | mobility of your coccyx is impaired | Puts some stress on your perineum but less than when lying on your back | | to change the baby’s position, the mother must change her position. on BaCk With legS raiSed Cons | Works against gravity | Compresses all major vessels | Tearing or need for an episiotomy is more likely | No use of gravity to aid in birth | online: Read more at lamaze.org/magazine. lamaze maGazINe 2009 17 lamaze.orG http://www.lamaze.org/magazine http://www.lamaze.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Lamaze Magazine 2009

Lamaze Magazine 2009 Contents Essential Lamaze for Pregnancy Making Connections Body Beautiful Birth Day, Your Way Mother Knows Best Essential Lamaze for Birth Supporting Cast Labor Day Position Statement Comfort Zone Intervention Intelligence The Waiting Game Essential Lamaze for Parenting Nursing School Reality Check Sleep Tight Unforgettable

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