In many childbirth classes, and sometimes, in a doula’s prenatal visit with a client, there are ice cubes. I saw ice cubes in my training when I became a Lamaze educator and ice cubes in various professional development workshops. So what gives? The ice is given to pregnant people and their partners to simulate the […]
Pushing side lying OR, how to turn a squat on its side!
Amy might look slightly awkward here, but this pushing position in bed is one of the best I’ve found. Let’s break it down. If you look at this image sideways, you can see that Amy is actually squatting. Brilliant, I say! As we know, squats can open the pelvis 1 – 2 cm to make […]
Pushing while Seated, Using the Squat Bar
This is one of my go to pushing positions for mothers in a hospital setting. It’s a position that can be used both with or without an epidural and that’s what makes it so wonderful. Josh is sitting in the chair so that when Amy pulls on the scarf, she doesn’t tip the chair over […]
One Squat for Everyone During Labor
Can I just tell you how much I love this squat! It’s the only squat you can do for an extended period of time in comfort. The brilliant thing about this squat is that it’s available to the vast majority of women during labor, no matter what your level of fitness or your fatigue level. […]
Standing in Labor to Manage Contractions
Standing labor postures keep you active and moving, which helps to facilitate baby’s decent and rotation though the pelvis. These postures also help you to manage pain. In all phases of labor, before pushing, it’s generally better to be active and upright during contractions. Standing and leaning over something, in this case a chair, allows […]