Your body’s intuition is often ignored during labor, but there are many reasons why you should listen to what it naturally wants to do. When it comes to ideal labor positions, many times you don’t need outside help. All you have to do is listen to your body and how it wants to move. Depending on where your baby is sitting in your pelvis, your body will want to move in various ways. At one point, you will want to sway front to back while later you will probably feel better swaying side to side. Squatting, lunging, sitting on the toilet or birth ball, walking and side lying will feel good when those positions are helpful to your baby.
This Mama Trusted Her Body’s Intuition
I witnessed this when I was supporting a mama who beautifully labored and birthed her baby. She could feel where her baby was in her pelvis, and as her doula, I was so proud of her as she worked with her body. The positions she chose to do where exactly what I would have recommended to open up her pelvis. The amazing thing was that I didn’t need to tell her how to move. She trusted her body and did what felt good. To this amazing mama, it felt good to walk and lunge up seven flights of stairs in the hospital! And what do you know, the baby was born soon after!
Break the Stereotype
Our culture has a stereotypical way of giving birth. Movement is limited which makes the pain and discomfort worse. Interventions are pushed. If we were more educated about birth as a society, we could trust our bodies more. God gave women everything they need to give birth. Sometimes there are emergencies or the need for interventions. In general, however, our bodies are capable of birthing our babies.
Prepare Your Body
It is important to exercise and practice labor positions during pregnancy to prepare your body for birth. This is another thing that my client did. In the weeks leading up to her birth, she practiced positions that helped her body prepare for labor. These things also encouraged her baby to descend into her pelvis. Exercise during pregnancy helps you build endurance and coordination and conditions your body for labor. Labor is like a marathon so building up to it with exercise, practicing positions and mentally preparing are all wise.
Prepare Your Mind
Whether planning for an unmedicated birth or one with pain management, it is vital to prepare for labor mentally. Labor is not easy, but it doesn’t have to be scary or insurmountable. Educate yourself on what to expect and how to work with your body. Choose a supportive birth team, and write a birth plan that clearly communicates your desires. Write down encouraging reminders and motivations that will help you during your labor. Your partner and birth team can remind you of these things, or you can have them on display.
Listen to Your Body’s Intuition
As you prepare your body and mind for birth, remember the fact that you were made to do this. Your body knows what to do. You will go into labor when your baby is ready to be born, and you can listen to your body’s intuition on how to move effectively. Outside support is wonderful but listen to your body first. As you work through labor, remember that you will meet your precious baby soon!
~Hannah