This basically means being a good consumer and becoming comfortable with your decisions for your pregnancy and birth. We've discussed how to find a compatible caregiver to hire and birthplace to use, how to make up a birth plan, and how to listen to your inner voice and body. Now it's time to become aquainted with some of the things you may not have thought of that will come up during labor that you need to take responsibilty for.
Once you are in active labor, all your senses become heightened. Impulses from your five senses travel to the brain faster than pain impulses. When activated in a positve way, your senses decrease or slow the ability of your brain to recognize pain. Using all of your senses in a positive way can be another way of "Claiming the Territory". Here are some ideas:
SIGHT
* 3 or more visits to your chosen birthplace (if it isn't home) before labor
* Visualize laboring in your chosen birthplace during pregnancy
* Choose a focal point: Interesting things in the room, a window, your supporter's face, pictures or artwork from home, pictures in your mind - your "special place".
SOUND
* Get used to the sounds in your birthplace (i.e. beeping monitors, loud nurses, running water etc)
* Your partner's voice and comforting phrases.
* Recording of comfortable, safe sounds from your daily enviornment
* Enjoyable, relaxing music
* Imagining you and your baby's first "hello"
* *Hearing and practicing comforting sounds or repetitive phrases to make during labor.
Remember to keep your jaw loose and mouth partially open and the sounds low.
TASTE
* Both partners imagine and use light kisses during labor.
* Drinking warm or cool beverages during labor ( remember to bring your own bottles of water)
* Use mouthwash or breath fresheners
* Suck on a lollipop (preferrably "DumDum" brand) or popsicle
* Claim the right to eat and drink as you choose!
SMELL
* Become accustomed to the smells at your birth place (hospitals usually smell a little like Clorox)
* Your partner close to you
* Smells from home - your pillow, favorite perfume or essential oil, nightgown, lotions, etc.
TOUCH
* Have your partner hold you
* Skin-to-skin contact i.e. massage, hand holding, counterpresurre, hugging
* Moving your joints - walking, rocking, rotating your hips (like belly dancing)
* Moving your face - smiling, laughing, yawning
* Pressure on your feet - standing, foot rubs, squating
* Warm, cold or wet washcloths and compresses
* Pressure on your perineum - sitting on firm surfaces, putting pillow between legs,
sitting on a birth ball
* Stroking and brushing hair
* Breathe deeply, slowly, and rythmically
* Labor in water
Also remember to "Claim your Baby's Territory". Babies remember birth! You are your baby's advocate from the before birth, to the moment of birth, and for the rest of his life. All your baby's senses are also heightened at birth and he or she will be very sensitive and aware. Newborns definately do feel pain! Question all invasive procedures by using the informed consent card in your labor cards pack.
Adapted by Holly Richardson from Creating a Joyful Birth Experience by Capacchione and Bardsley
