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Cultivating
Tools...
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Water can be used in very early labor to slow
nighttime
contractions down so a woman can go back to sleep.
Once in Active labor or when the desire is to get the
women to be more active, she should not enter the
tub until she is at least 4 cm or more dilated. A
woman who really wants to labor in water might jump
at the chance to get in and be disappointed if you
encourage her not to. I have found that women who
get in too early just prolong early labor and do not
increase immerse dilatation as much as when they
immerse
when in very active labor. Immersion in very active
labor can help a woman to open fast! Staying in too
long in early labor can just zap her energy and turn
her into a prune!
Remember to keep women well hydrated and if you
see that the warm water is depleting her, have her
come out for a while and perhaps get some
nourishment. She can always get back in soon.
If you are working with a woman that does not feel
comfortable being naked or has not yet lost her
inhibitions due to the primal force of labor, suggest
that she drape a wet towel over her breast or wear a
sports bra or shirt. She might abandon them later
but initially might feel more at easy and able to
assume open and relaxing positions if her modesty is
respected.
Use a cup or wash cloth the pour her exposed body
parts with warm water. Remember to always offer
hydration. Keep in mind infection control and wear
gloves if you feel you need too.
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Learning
tools...
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A doula might need to help a women to adjust
to 'land' after the birth so she can birth her
placenta. In many birthing centers and hospitals,
midwives prefer that women birth placentas out of
water so they can assess blood loss. A doula can
assist in this change of environment that might be
awkward for a women soon after birth.
Two of our local hospital have full birthing tubs, not
just bath tubs. Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield
has a wonderful birthing tub and room as does
Holyoke Medical Center. Birthing tubs can also be
rented from waterbirth sites. I recommend women to
rent the Gentle Birth Pool, which is easy to assemble
and has a heater.
Birth ball and Beach balls can be used in a birthing
tubs to help with different positions. If a woman is
renting a tub for herself at home make sure she has
someone in charge of setting it up and maintaining
it. It is also a good idea to have her get in while it is
empty before she goes in to labor to make sure it is
not too deep for her. If she is small than leaning
over the edge will be difficult or impossible for her.
You can put pillows under the liner to prop her up and
minimize the depth.
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Fall
Training
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The fall training at Hampshire College filled up nicely
with 18 women in attendance! We are really packing
it in and having fun too! Be on the look out for the
spring dates which should be out soon.
If you have done a training with me make sure that
you are a member of the BirthRite doulas yahoo
group. With my work at Franklin Medical Center I
have a lot of requests for volunteer doulas. If you
are still working on your three births for certification
be on the look out for these opportunities!
A postcard invitation was recently sent to those
women who have attended a Maternal Wisdom
(formally BirthRite) Training. A Potluck gathering is
being planned, as a way to connect, network and
share with other doulas on a similar path. Please
respond or if you haven't received it email me
privately.
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Thanks for taking the time to read this and feel free to forward it...
In peace,
Chana Luba Ertel, CD (DONA), CLD, CCCE, CAPPA Labor Doula Trainer of MA
Maternal Wisdom
413-253-9618
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