‘The wisdom and compassion a woman can intuitively experience in childbirth can make her a source of healing and understanding for other women’ – Ina May Gaskin.

I’m such a huge fan of Ina May Gaskin and I recommend her books Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery to everyone!! I have consolidated below some wisdom collected from reading her books and I really hope you find it useful!

The mind-body connection

Ina May’s believes there is a strong connection between the mind, heart, soul and body during birth.  If a woman is feeling loved and adored by her partner and feeling grateful for being in labour and she can surrender to the process and trust her body, then this will help her cervix to dilate with oxytocin levels rising and will feel less pain with the endorphins. 

However if a woman is fearful or holding onto negative energy, this can have an opposite effect and can stall the cervix dilating.

There are a few birth stories where women had fear, and as soon as they started talking about it they felt as if it released a lot of the negative energy and their bodies opened up and contractions started again. Ina May believes that if you hold on to fear then your body tightens, if you let it go of it your body relaxes.

Women can also cope better if they can shift their perspective on the sensations of the contractions. Ina May says, ‘don’t think of it as pain, think of it as an interesting sensation that requires all of your attention’.

If you have any anxiety or fear during labour, the best thing to do is to talk about it. Share your feelings with your birthing  partner or  midwife, as talking about it will help to release any negative energy and will help to soften your  body, in turn making more space for baby.

Pain and Endorphins

Ina May believes that the reason why the women whose births she had attended were able to get through labor without anesthesia or tranquilizers had to do with the atmosphere she learned to create at a birth. A women who is the center of positive attention, feeling grateful, amused, loved and appreciated, has a higher level of endorphins, which block the perception of pain.

A woman may feel more pain if she is afraid, cold, angry, humiliated or experiencing any other disagreeable emotions. This is due to adrenaline, as it’s the body’s protective mechanism when it is presented with danger; the heart rate quickens, the muscles tense, labor contractions may be inhibited, and the perception of pain is intensified. The adrenaline is a survival mechanism to help the mother to fight or flight, not to have a baby.

This really highlights the importance of creating an atmosphere that is relaxing,  humorous and sensual to encourage oxytocin and endorphins. Birth breathing (a technique I teach in my Pregnancy Yoga Classes) can also help to calm the nervous system and encourage oxytocin and endorphins.

Absorbing Negative Cultural Attitudes

A famous quote from Ina May is ‘Remember this, for this is true as it gets; your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceros, elephants, moose and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body’.  ‘We are the only species of mammal that doubts our ability to give birth’.

Through Ina May’s experience she has identified that ‘generally speaking, the more comfortable a woman is living in her body, the more easily she gives birth. Unfortunately, women are quite likely to absorb negative cultural attitudes about their private parts during early childhood’. 

There is a long list of names for the female member, which can carry pornographic or derogatory connections for some women. I don’t think there is a long list of words for men’s private parts that make them feel embarrassed of themselves? For example, in 1961 it was illegal for the word ‘cunt’ to appear in print, and yet the word ‘prick’ was printed; why this further injustice to women? 

Ina May believes to overcome these negative connotations to the female body we must use the words regularly and in a positive way to help ‘women to proudly reclaim all the words that refer to their reproductive organs’.

‘There is no other organ quite like the uterus. If men had such an organ, they would bag about it. So should we’.

Practice self love, your body is truly amazing! Learn as much as you can about how your body works to birth your baby. Let your midwife know if there are any negative words that you would like her to avoid using during your labour, this will enable her to provide more support to you.

Sphincter Law

Ina May beleives that your vagina and cervix are sphincter muscles and act just the same as your other sphincter muscles. The sphincter muscle of both anus and vagina do not respond on command. They open more easily in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere where a woman feels safe.  Whereas if a woman feels threatened in any way then the cervix will close, even if they have already dilated. 

Ina May shares many stories where a woman has been fully dilated at home and then as soon as they get into hospital they have closed up, or they have been dilated and then close up after an examination where it has made them feel uncomfortable. 

The mind can have a powerful effect on the cervix. Comfort, love, humour and reassurance can help you to dilate. Fear, interruption or anxiety can make them tighten or close.  If you have tension in the jaw then you have tension in your sphincter muscles. To help relax these you can practice the birth breathing from our yoga class, chanting, singing or blowing raspberries to loosen the mouth and jaw. It would really help for your birthing partner to understand this too so they can support more in helping you to relax. Remember – Floppy face, floppy fanny!

The Monkey Self

Ina May suggests that we need to let go of our analytical mind and let the older ‘monkey brain’ take over. Ina may says if we can short-circuit the mind during physical pursuit, we can let our inner primate do all the work. it’s a short way of saying don’t let your over-busy mind interfere with the ancient wisdom of your body’. She writes ‘Monkeys don’t think of technology as necessary to birth-giving; Monkeys don’t obsess about their bodies being inadequate…Monkeys don’t do math about their dilation to speculate how long labour might take…Monkeys in labour get into the position that feels best, not the one they’re told to assume…’

Bring your awareness inwards and focus on the birth breathing that you have learnt in class. This will help to quiet a busy mind, which in turn will help to wake up ‘the monkey’ part of the brain. This will help to bring you into  a meditative zone. Focusing on the breath will also help to  stop your mind from focusing on any fears or worries.

The Brain Can Be Unreliable

‘Labour progresses best if you pay attention to the expansion rather than to the contractions’. Ina May says that when a woman’s cervix is nearly open, this is when she is the most apt to feel emotional, to feel that is it impossible to give birth, that you may rip in half or explode if they allow their baby to move down the birth canal. She states that when women are under the spell of this particular fear, they resist from relaxing, as they feel if they do relax then great damage will be done to their bodies. She highlights the importance of knowing that your brain can be quite unreliable at this stage in labour and that it’s important to have someone there that she trusts who can reassure her that she will be okay, the intensity will pass, she won’t explode and to encourage her to relax and surrender to the process.

Focus on your breathing to quiet and focus the mind. It’s important for the birthing partner and midwife to reassure the women at this stage.

The post Ina May’s Wisdom on Childbirth appeared first on Bloom Yoga Bristol.

Remember, everything has a place and while we can prepare for every eventuality there is another player in the room; your baby. This little being will have their own intentions and will journey into this world in their own way, in their own time.

We can do our best to support them to have the easiest transition into your arms, but sometimes their entrance is not what we might have ‘planned’. So being flexible in your planning, in your mind and in your body can support you in bringing your child into the world.

In our experience, when a mum and her birth partner have consciously prepared for birth, has felt empowered to ask the right questions and made decisions from a place of true awareness, the birthing experience is viewed as an empowering, beautiful and awe-inspiring time!

A useful tool to apply to all the content presented to you or any research you undertake personally, and crucially when you need to make any choices during birth is

B.R.A.I.N:

B = What are the BENEFITS?

R = What are the RISKS?

A = What are the ALTERNATIVES?

I = What does your INTUITION tell you to do?

N = What are the outcomes or possibilities if we do NOTHING?

When faced with a decision, or when at a cross-roads, take a moment to ask yourself and/or your midwife/doctor questions based on the above, to help you make informed choices.

My Birthing Wish List

Name: …………………………………………………

Due Date: …………………………………………….

Names & Contact Numbers of Birth Partners:

……………………………………………………………………………………………..…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Do you want them with you at all times?………………………………………………

What relationship are they to you?……………………………………………………..

Do you have any particular needs? Religious, dietary or disability

requirements:……………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Where would you like to birth your baby?…………………………………………….

Induction

I trust my baby knows exactly when they want to be born & I am happy not to be induced.

I would like to be consulted before any kind of induction takes place.

I do not want my cervix swept during an examination unless told otherwise.

I would like to try natural methods to encourage my baby to be born.

I am happy to be induced after 10 days.

I am happy to use medical induction such as Sweep/Pessary/Breaking waters/Hormone Drip.

1st Stage

I would like to remain at home for as long as I feel comfortable.

I would like to be attended by the community midwife at home.

I would like to attend the hospital/midwife led unit as early as possible.

During labour

I would like my birth partner / husband /partner / doula / friend / children to be present.

I would like my privacy and dignity to be respected at all times / no unnecessary people to be in attendance/no trainees.

I would like to remain as active as possible, finding the best positions for myself and changing these as I wish. Standing, pacing, circle hip rotation, kneeling, on all fours, squatting, in bed, use the birthing ball.

I would like to use the birthing yoga moves I have learnt.

I would like to use the birthing breath.

I would like to rest between contractions where possible.

I would like talking to be kept to a minimum.

I would like low lighting.

I would like this music to be played……………………………………………………………

I would like monitoring of the baby to be kept to a minimum unless there is cause for concern.

I would prefer hand held monitors to be used.

I would like any proposed intervention e.g. breaking waters, acceleration, ventouse, to be explained and discussed first, and ideally to be kept to a minimum.

I would like information about any proposed medication before receiving it, including the purpose, potential side effects on me / the baby and options on timing e.g. before or after the baby is born.

Pain Relief

I would like to use my birthing breath and yoga moves.

I plan to use an ‘all fours’ / hip circling/ pacing / child’s pose/ different position to help with pain relief.

I would like to use water/ bath/ birth pool I wish to use for 1st / 2nd stage.

I would like to use TENS machine/gas and air/ massage/ homeopathic pain relief / pethidine/epidural.

Advice will be welcome, and I am open to considering other pain relief options if necessary.

Transition

I wish to be very centred on myself at this stage and to have no intrusion.

Talking to a minimum.

Gentle support and firm guidance will be appreciated.

Information on progress will be helpful.

I will probably be in an all fours / upright / semi reclining position.

2nd Stage

I would like to find my own comfortable position for pushing. This is likely to be an all fours / upright / semi reclining / position especially if things are progressing quickly.

I wish to know when the head is crowning.

I wish to feel the baby’s head / see it in a mirror.

I will appreciate firm advice and guidance at this time to guard against too quick a delivery giving the perineum time to fan out thus (hopefully) preventing a tear.

We plan to take photographs / video the birth.

Tears

I hope to avoid this and will appreciate support to adopt positions to minimise tears. If one occurs I would prefer not to be stitched unless it is essential to healing / I prefer to be stitched.

I do not wish to have an episiotomy unless vital and I or my partner agree / I prefer an episiotomy to a tear/ I prefer tearing to an episiotomy.

If stitching is necessary I do want a local anaesthetic to be well administered prior to stitching.

Delivery

I would like my birth partner/doctor/midwife/myself to deliver my baby.

I wish my baby to be delivered onto my tummy.

I wish to hold my baby straight away.

I wish for the baby to be washed and then given to me.

We would like to discover the sex of our baby ourselves/I would like to be told immediately.

I wish the cord to remain attached until it stops pulsating.

I wish the cord to be attached until the placenta has been delivered.

I would like to have a lotus birth so please keep the placenta attached to my baby.

My partner would like/not like to cut the cord.

I would like skin to skin.

I wish/do not wish my baby to suckle to encourage 3rd Stage.

3rd Stage – Delivering the Placenta

I wish to have an actively managed 3rd stage / I wish to deliver the placenta physiologically.

I only wish cord traction to be used if syntometrine has been administered.

If there are signs of haemorrhage then I will have IV ergometrine as necessary.

I would like to hold my baby immediately / I would like the baby to be washed first.

I would like our baby to stay with one of us at all times.

I would like to be left alone with my baby.

I would like conversation kept to a minimum.

I would like to see my placenta and have it explained to us.

I would like my placenta to come home with us.

I would like my placenta go to medical research.

I would like my placenta to be disposed of for me.

Vitamin K

We do / do not consent to Vitamin K injection.

We would like it orally/by injection.

Multiple birth –

We would like both/all of the babies to be taken to special care together / If one baby needs special care and the other(s) don’t we would like the well baby(ies) to stay with me until we leave.

Feeding

I wish to breastfeed as soon as is appropriate.

I would welcome the help and support to breastfeed.

I wish to bottle feed as soon as appropriate.

Emergencies

I or my birth partner / doula / friend will discuss all eventualities and make decisions as and when they arise. Please share any concerns with us as soon as they arise. It will help us to know the answers to these questions:

1. What is wrong?

2. What do you suggest and why?

3. What would be the possible outcomes/benefits/risks with this intervention?

4. What happens if we do nothing?

5. Are there any alternatives?

6. How much time do we have to make a decision?

We want a healthy and happy baby and mother and so we will be guided by balanced, informative advice.

Unexpected Situations

In the event that assisted delivery is necessary I prefer ventouse/forceps.

In the event that a caesarean section is necessary I would like to have a spinal / general anaesthetic.

In the event of a c-section the person to come with me to theatre is…………………………

I would like skin to skin happen with…………………………………………………until I am ready to take over.

I do/do not wish my baby to be cleaned before I meet them.

I intend to breastfeed my baby so no milk supplements.

I am happy for my baby to be given milk supplements until I can breastfeed.

I would like to be consulted if my baby needs to go to special care.

In the event my baby needs to go to the special care unit then they will be accompanied by……………………………………………………………………..

In the post-natal ward

We do not want our baby to be given any artificial milk.

I intend to bottle feed on demand / I intend to breastfeed on demand.

I would like our baby with me at all times unless I request otherwise

I would like to be present for any paediatric examinations/ the hip test

I would like to be present when our baby has a nappy change or bath

We would like our other children to visit as soon as possible after the birth I would like to be consulted as to when I should be discharged from hospital

Any Other Comments:

I do/do not wish students observing or helping

This is a sample birth plan and should be adjusted to meet the needs of each individual couple. If you think you may have a c-section then please have a look at the C-Section birthing Wish List and amend this as you see fit.

Remember, “Everything has a place” and while we can account and make plans for almost all of our life when it comes to birth there comes a time when we simply have to let go and surrender.

Check out the LushTums Blog for more information on Pregnancy, Birth & Motherhood.

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