Moving in Labor Moves Things Along
(Thanks to Matthew Henry for sharing their photography work on Unsplash.)
Historically, belly dancing was more of a labor dance to celebrate the ladies, than entertainment for the guys. This rather changes our perspective, doesn't it? Often we can help childbirth go more smoothly by just changing our perspective. My students sometimes find it very surprising to learn that the baby is not just a passive passenger 'along for the ride' during labor, but is an active participant in their own birth process. Laboring mothers help themselves and their babies by moving around in labor. This is NOT a good time to just go to bed! You not sick, right?
One of the primary keys to having an efficient and effective labor is having the unborn baby well-positioned in mama's pelvis. And if this seems to not be the case, based on how labor is moving along (or not), remember that to move the baby, move the mama! By understanding this general concept, anyone can effectively help their baby along in a way that fits their personality, their birth setting, and their labor circumstances.
As a midwife and doula, I've witnessed mothers work to shift the position of their unborn baby by
duck-walking in the hospital corridor
going up their basement stairs two at a time
walking on the farm among their lamas
slow dancing with their man
making '8s' with their hips while sitting on their yoga ball
going for bumpy car rides
switching sides in the 'lunge' position with their epidural
leaning on their horse
and kneeling with one knee on their preschooler’s play kitchen.
Below is a fun and short little series of video clips that I use to teach parents-to-be and new doulas about why moving around in labor can help the baby descend 'down and out' with less pain. By understanding this general concept, anyone can effectively help their baby along in a way that fits their personality, their birth setting, and the labor circumstances.
So here we go, sound on!
Video #1. Cardinal movements of the baby; notice the rotation of baby head. The baby actively participates in labor, even directs it. We act like it’s so much about the mom, but it’s really WAY more about the baby. We just have to support mom so she can allow the baby's work to happen, and accommodate them. Even though this is an older generation animation, I appreciate its simplicity. This is what is going on inside while we’re laboring.
NOTE: The orientation of the head in the extra window is from the prospective of mom laying down; if she’s on hands and knees (as mothers often prefer if we don't get in their way), those of us observing will see the face 'up', facing towards mom's spine and butt. Sometimes we forget that our view varies depending on our orientation.
Video #2. The Dancing Skeletons (full screen provides excellent detail)
In this charming clip, belly dancers wear skeleton costumes so we can get a visual on how the internal bones move while dancing. Watch their pelvises in particular, because moving the legs moves the hips which move the internal pelvis...…. GET IT?
Video #3. Laboring mom dancing in hospital corridor.
Who SAID labor can't be fun? Pick your favorite music, and MOVE IT!
As these clips illustrate, the baby has more room to move when their mother is moving also. It doesn't mean moms need to be always moving, mixing it up and rest is great too. Just remember that an asymmetrical position is a great option when progress in labor seems to stall or pain is unusually high. Regardless of the setting or mom's physical abilities, she can be supported or positioned asymmetrically to adapt to the ever-changing birth situation. What do you think? Make sense?