Welcome
Although I had not attended a birth for over 20 years – here I was – perfectly placed.
I had not thought this possible. Bub half in and half out.
- For what felt like an age – maybe 3 minutes?
In the case to the left – picture is a stuck bub with help.
In this case – bub was STUCK STUCK and no one helped
Bub stared breathing from there – eventually
Her cord was half in and out..
She moved her arms about – eyes not open.
Mouth in the silent scream position – gaping – with purple/red lips.
Midwives did not seem phased, so her mum and I observed and waited. BUB stuck – not slipping out as they do after their head is born – she was like a cork in a bottle. STUCK
WHY I WROTE WDCD . . . (CLICK)
Seemed to me that the midwives were not hands-on and neither were they magic . . as here. Opening the baby gate …
In this birth, likely they were watching an unusual event unfold. I was asked what this was offering – Bl 35 being pressed very hard – and almost constantly. 90 minutes continually AT LEAST. DAD was the major player. He allowed mum to be able to cope 8lb bub in birth canal. Long time. Eventual birth with her arm tightly around her own neck as a vice. Eventual arm /headlock release.
Bub with a mouth open – the silent scream .. . dark purple lips and mouth. Gradually undid her arms. moved about. Took her time to breathe – and some time later – she entrapped by mum’s perineum . . mum heard the cry – and wondered – ‘why is she still in me?’
Having had three of my own labors – I knew my head was getting in the way . .Bach flower remedies – I had read and taken on board what Ina May Gaskin write in Spiritual Midwifery. (quotes from)
Statistics from being mother and baby centred in birthing
Watch Ina May on TedX (CLICK)
I wanted the dad-to-be there as the protector and a loving granddad living in love with the grandmother.
Bonding dad and mum need to – as they made this human being in love. . LIFE not MEDICAL
My version of the story
Mild contractions mid afternoon.
I arrived about 6 pm – and popped some needles in (Liv 3). Nat thought she would get some computer work done – she kept wondering – was this really ‘it’? Once bub asleep, and partner settled down – I did a proper job – with 5x GB 30, all sacral points (and twiddled every so often). Also GB 34 . . and Liv 2. Left her there for a few contractions – GB 41 not sore – we had bub change positions – sometimes contraction more in back .. .sometimes both – for a while – inside of both legs. They were still about 12 minutes apart and short in duration. .. so we thought. . .
This ‘short’ contraction – and me feeling remiss . . . .set the theme. Eventually we moved up stairs. Every contraction (once the sacral needles were out), I pressed – upper points – til bub started moving down. (We ran out of room at the end). Whilst there were needles in those spaces – Sp 6 was pressed firmly. I was mindful of my second son’s labour contractions and using Sp 6 (pressure) massively moving the process forwards. Having had two of my children’s births (after acupuncture training)- as I was an acupuncture student from being a student when my 1st born was 6 weeks old.)
Me feeling – how long is it to take – with these short ??? ineffectual?? contractions
And how to ‘fix’ . . . . .. we went upstairs – more moving around and me on the points – she needed to be on all fours – then decided this was not enough – and got the TENS machine organised. Could not see the point myself – as I had only used what I was doing with her – AND Bach flowers in all drinking water – and Aura Soma – to clear the space, and what was coming up. Having neither – my own self criticism was running wild.
Knowing of/feeling the emotional issues – I was aware I have other tools to deal with – but not with me. It all worked – Her mum as emotional support – me as the room monitor/event manager – and eventually Glen as the epidural. (The grunt of the tableau).
(Pages from my Easy Birth Preparation eBook)
Pathway (CLICK) Nerve (CLICK) More (CLICK) Also (CLICK)
pudendal block (CLICK) Also (CLICK) And (CLICK)
Pressing the point Bl 35.
Forget about the ‘sham’ business – this is all silly as the actual point is NOT the issue – the area would be. Especially when we are using finger (thumb/brute) force as in this case.
This picture gives you an idea of placement. Shame f it all is that the ‘need’ to ‘prove’ flies in the face of the immediacy of relief and what next – easy birthing or at least easy opening of cervix – and often – rescue of the orgasm potential!
A bit of prep . . (and toddler watching dad film)
Lymph drainage – great position
After the event
New dad and Heather speak together
Two grandmas catch up
Imagine Shirley at the head – Nat her daughter is lying in her left side.
Glen is at the tail end – ramming his thumbs/fingers into the acupuncture point Bl 35.
For abut 75 minutes.
I am at foot of bed directing the show.
Midwife #1 is popping in to do whatever obs ever so often.
Midwife #2 is on hand with all re-suss equipment and writing up the notes.
The Golden Month
‘Golden Month’ outlines a holistic approach towards postnatal care that amalgamates the best practices from different cultures throughout the world. An acupuncturist and teacher, Jenny Allison has spent a decade researching this book. Golden Month aims to debunk the anxiety-inducing myth of the perfect postpartum body. It focuses on a mother’s long-term well-being, looking at both mental and physical health. Golden Month also explains the importance of nutrition and includes nutrient-dense recipes to ensure optimum recovery during the postnatal period.
GOLDEN MONTH – all of us need to support the healing after birthing and allow tending of the new mum.
Shall we aim for healthy safe bubs with bonded mums in complete relationship with the dads
What Dads Can Do (CLICK) to make sure. .
Nat 2
What happened in the second birth – surprises all around!!
Nat’s question – how did you know? Me – you had to settle down first . . .
Nat 3
DAD – first birth – not ‘needed’ with the first one.
This time – could not have done without him. HANDS ON
Did he look at WDCD before hand? No. Had I added in that point in the book? Could he have found it in there??
Nat 4
GV midwife – uses this point all the time to allow easy flow of bub out of the vagina.
After I had ‘run out’ of the sacral points to press . . other was such a loving presence!!
Nat 5
How did I know?
I was birthing my own children and what I was taught was not melding with my experience.
Research and development in my body . .
What was that doing?
- Co 4 – way more useful than the comb in hand
- Sp 6 – massive help in labour (three of mum’s fingers up from the inner ankle)
- Making the contraction so much more useful – not like an epidural – that shuts dilation down often – using these points – two fold – cuts the pain(stuck) whilst ensuring the opening.
- GB 41 – (At end of the two tendons when you start from the last two toe sand go down the foot) I hit from time to time to make sure contractions were working well/not being inco ordinate
Nat 6
Nat – How does no one else know all of this?
Me – Too simple??
Started steaming from the 40 week mark
Nat 7
Q – How come no one else is doing this?
A – I am handing over to the dad.
Dad connection . . . Bonding . . . dad as protector.
Nat 8
Why I wrote WDCD? To keep dad as a loving presence for the life of the grandchildren.
I couldn’t be everywhere – and was aware undoing mum’s head space was the most important part . . flower remedies the most important tool – not so much the needles – would doctor her water. Dad – most to lose if not bonded.
Nat 9
Got to get him to get the point . . be present
Nat 10
Not only about birth. Glove box manual for a woman’s body.
Including – moxa – and breastfeeding – and how to rescue
Nat 11
Nat answering “How did you meet me?”
A few minutes after it all settled down