Midwifing Techniques
Midwives are experts in female health. During delivery, midwives have been shown to be invaluable assets. One of the most salubrious of attendant techniques is using their gift of touch to assist in labor. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for bringing on labor when the time is right. What can stimulate the production of oxytocin is massage.
Popular Midwife Techniques include the Mayan massage. The Mayan message is, in essence, a uterine massage. Midwives who employ this type of message on their clients are in high demand. Mayan massage is one of the midwife techniques that can get the uterus into proper position. If the uterus in the right place, that means the baby should be too.
Another one of the great midwife techniques is the shiatsu massage. This deep tissue massage has been shown to boost endorphins. This is especially beneficial because this hormone will take away from the pain felt during labor.
The Positive Effects Of Midwife Techniques During Labor
On-Time Deliveries
Women who have midwives statistically have easier deliveries. Studies show pregnant women who have the benefit of midwife techniques usually will deliver on time. Ideally, babies should weight close to 7.5 pounds at birth.
If they are inside the mother for too long, they begin to grow larger. Although anything under 5 pounds can be unhealthy, the baby growing too big in the uterus presents a problem. A baby over nine pounds can be hard to deliver vaginally.
The level of ease/difficulty will be based on the mother’s anatomy as well as other factors. Parents receiving regular Mayan massages six weeks before their due dates are likely to deliver before their baby grows too large.
Less Chance Of C-Section
A C-section is an invasive operation where the doctor makes an incision into his patient’s lower abdomen. He will remove the baby via his incision instead of the usual way. Doctors will recommend a C-section in situations where he feels vaginal delivery may be a health risk.
Sometimes the baby may be turned the wrong way to exit the birth canal safely. In the case the baby is breached, a midwife can turn the baby the right way. Even better, women who frequently see their midwives during their pregnancy will get their problems identified and solved sooner.
If the baby is out of birthing position, a few sessions of gentle massage may get him in proper alignment. C-sections can also occur if the mother is exasperated from a difficult birth and feels she can no longer push. Pregnant women ameliorated by midwife techniques are less likely to give up during delivery.
They’ll have the invaluable emotional support of their midwife. They’ll also benefit from her massage skills. The midwife can sometimes perform a shoulder massage to relieve tension and promote endorphin release. This can increase the mother’s stamina during a long delivery.
Less Chance Of Episiotomy
A less-talked about the procedure that is usually observed during complicated pregnancies is an episiotomy. An episiotomy is a surgical procedure where the doctor makes an incision in the vagina. He cuts into the skin and muscle tissue in the vagina towards the anus. It’s as unpleasant as it sounds, but sometimes necessary.
This is another reason why delivering on time is so important. If the baby gets too large, it’s harder for it to exit through the vagina. By conducting an episiotomy, the doctor is enlarging the birth canal of the mother. Most midwives can recognize if their client may have trouble delivering vaginally. If they spot an issue, they will also recommend a stretching exercise before delivery.
Perineal massage is one of the least-discussed midwife techniques used to ensure a safer delivery. Using a natural oil such as olive or coconut oil, a mother will need to massage the perineum gently. The goal is to begin applying enough pressure to stretch the perineum so it will be more flexible during birth. Practicing this technique daily until she goes into labor is key.
She must start slow and gradually build flexibility to avoid hurting herself. Episiotomy comes with serious risks, so employing any of the midwife techniques suggested is highly advisable. Health concerns following an episiotomy include infection, fecal incontinence, and pain during intercourse.
Final Thoughts
Anytime a mother undergoes an invasive procedure during labor. There will be health risks. Having a midwife during all stages of pregnancy is best. She will do her best to prepare her clients for the road ahead which can prevent complications during labor. The more preparations she takes, the less likely the need for invasive operations/injections becomes.