Natural Childbirth: Best Kept Secret #1 Spiraling
Natural Childbirth- 5 Secret Doorways to an Amazing Birth: You may enter Doorway #1 through the act of – “Spiraling”
In this article I will be sharing with you what I believe to be the “5 Secret Doorways” to an amazing natural childbirth. Behind each door is a golden pathway that can lead you to a natural childbirth without fear and pain.
We will be entering each one of these doorways through a natural childbirth technique that will be shared each week. Every one of the 5 components is equally special, powerful and important on its own, but when used all together can make a huge difference in the quality of your birth!
In order to achieve a great birth you must work on opening the doorway to your “true state of being.” This is where you must reside throughout your birthing time, in the “seat of yourself “so to say; the place inside of you that knows how powerful you are, how strong, capable, wise, loving, and masterfully designed you are for natural childbirth.
The best way to prepare yourself to operate from that place during birth, is to practice accessing that place while you are still pregnant. I’ll share with you some of the exercises that I used to do that. These exercises teach you how to access and use your energy to work in accordance with the birthing energy, which makes birth a lot easier and more comfortable.
Secret Doorway #1 To An Amazing Natural Childbirth-
Enter through The “Universal Spiral”
Natural Childbirth and the Universal Spiral or “Golden Mean”
A great mathematician by the name of Leonardo Fibonacci became aware of the “Universal Spiral,” or when broken down into math terms is called the “Golden Ratio.” This is the idea that many if not all things in our world come into existence through the same universal spiraling motion.
Here’s a video that explains it a bit more:
So if it is true that possibly all things come into the world within this spiral then it would seem to make sense that we would follow this same pattern of movement when bringing our babies into the world.
The Benefits of Spiraling for Natural Childbirth
The spiraling that is practiced for natural childbirth is an actual physical movement where you spiral your hips in big flowing circles, it is a very empowering movement that can open the doorway to the primordial connection that exists between your body and the universal birthing energy.
Lack of movement during your birthing time enables the intense energy of the rushes to build and compound in the abdomen which causes a great deal of unnecessary pain. But if you allow your body to glide along this spiral, then the intensity of the rushes is being actively moved and spiraled downward which prevents pain, focuses the energy in a useful way, opens your pelvis and encourages your baby to travel downward.
Natural Childbirth Video – “Birth into Being” an Awesome Documentary that Embraces the Act of Spiraling during Birth
When I was pregnant I watched this amazing documentary. This is where I was first introduced to the idea of spiraling during birth. There are some really beautiful natural childbirth stories in this film. It’s a must see!
Wow! If spiraling was going to allow me to have an amazing natural childbirth like those ones, I was going to spiral my little heart out! So I began practicing it as often as I could. It felt so amazing that I would practice it many times a day!
Natural Childbirth Exercise: The Practice of Mastering the Art of Spiraling
You may sit on your birthing ball, on your hands and knees, or you may stand.
Close your eyes, and begin to bring your awareness to your breathing….. Feel yourself taking full, controlled breaths…. inhaling and exhaling completely….feel the flow of the breath spiraling into you and out in a continuous flowing cycle…
…Still your mind and go to a place of peace within yourself….. Now begin to move your body in Big Circles like you’re outlining a large sun with your hips… circling your hips around and around….. …Just relax and allow yourself to flow into this movement……
…As you are doing this, imagine gathering energy from the heavens, and as it enters into your body it fills you with this beautiful white light that is flowing through in a downward facing spiraling motion.
This feels wonderfully rejuvenating! The effects of this exercise works on many different levels to remove harmful blocks within your body’s meridians or (energy centers), and to refill with a light and refreshing energy.
What makes this exercise successful is the combination between breath, movement and imagination.
My Natural Childbirth Story - Spiraling My Way To An Amazing Birth
As soon as I felt the first rushes of my birthing time I immediately went into this place of calm inner strength. I focused my awareness on my breathing and allowed it to channel the intensity of the birthing waves down through my body. This was working well, but as the intensity began to build I felt a very primal urge to move my body.
I instinctively began this spiraling motion. I moved my body in wide opening circles and imagined the birthing energy just as I had during my practice, as a white light, but this time it was intensified 100 fold. I visualized all of the power of the cosmos pouring powerfully through my body. It was a magnificent feeling that I welcomed into me!
I kept spiraling and felt like I was grabbing a hold of the intensity of the rush and was able to focus on spiraling it downward and then releasing it through my breath.
At one point I stopped spiraling just for comparison, this time when the rushes came in, instead of being spiraled downward they began to compound and build in my abdomen and was becoming pretty painful. The moment I began spiraling again the pain dispersed.
My Natural Childbirth Video-
Here is the video of our birth, where you can see the spiraling motion that I did throughout almost the entire birth.
I hope that you enjoy practicing and exploring this beautiful spiraling movement, it can make an incredible difference in the quality of your natural childbirth.
Next week we will enter through Golden Doorway #2 using the “Breath of Natural Childbirth”
Childbirth Classes – The Most Loved Natural Childbirth Classes and How They can Help You to Have a Better Birth
Preparation is the absolute key in giving yourself and your baby a wonderful birth; one of the best things you can do for yourself is to find out what natural childbirth classes are available to assist you and which childbirth classes will benefit you the most.
In this article I’ll share with you how you can benefit from taking childbirth classes, and help you to discover which childbirth classes may be right for you.
How Taking Childbirth Classes can Help You to be Better
Prepared for Birth
Aside from making it much easier to set the proper time aside for preparation, taking natural childbirth classes is great because they help you to
1) Get Answers to Your Questions: Childbirth classes provide an easy resource of information and knowledge to get your questions answered, and the information is nicely put together in one place for you, which makes it easier and much quicker than gathering all the information on your own.
2) Get a Better Idea of What to Expect: When you know what to expect you’ll be better prepared to embrace the experience of birth rather than being caught off guard when your birthing time begins. And even if you already have an idea of what birth is all about childbirth classes can help to reconfirm your beliefs and make you more confident with your choices.
3) Learn about You on Your and Your Baby’s Options: Many childbirth classes include your and your baby’s options for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum so that you’ll be able to make informed choices.
4) Learn Helpful Tools, Tips and Techniques to Use: Including the most effective birth positions and relaxation techniques that help you to have a more comfortable birth.
5) Involve Your Birth Partner: Childbirth classes help them to become more comfortable, confident and relaxed about the birth process, answers their questions, allows them to become more involved, and to better understand their role and how they can support you.
Choosing the Perfect Childbirth Classes
I’m not sure if there is one all inclusive “Perfect” childbirth class, I think that more likely it’s different for everybody. Start by asking yourself what is important to you, what are you wishing to gain out of the class, does it align with your beliefs? And when choosing a class always remember to pay attention to your intuition, do you feel good about it?
Even when you find a childbirth class that you like, there still may be some things that you don’t like in it. But that’s OK, you can always just take and apply what’s helpful and beneficial to you and leave the rest.
Following are the most widely popular natural childbirth classes, there may also be some childbirth classes offered locally that are just as wonderful. Also you can do some of these childbirth classes online. Don’t be afraid to explore all of your options before deciding.
Childbirth Classes Using the Hypnobirthing Method
For natural child birth “Hypnobirthing” is a very popular and effective method of preparation. For a better description of what hypnobirthing is watch this video http://mynaturalchildbirth.org/hypnobirthing-video/
Here are the most popular “Hypnobirthing” Childbirth Classes:
Hypnobabies Childbirth Classes
Hypnobabies is a good program. It’s a good blend of preparing your mind to be in the right state for birth and educating you on your options. In Hypnobabies you use positive visualization scripts and CDs to release any negative thoughts or fears and replace them with positives. It has helpful information on nutrition, and does a good job of educating you on your and your baby’s options and rights, especially in a hospital setting.
Andy and I took hypnobabies and we enjoyed it! Aside from Andy’s falling asleep during the relaxations and cracking obvious jokes right in front of the teacher it was very helpful. By giving us the answers to a lot of our questions, and educating us on our options it really helped Andy to feel a lot more comfortable with the process, which lead to his full support of having a home birth.
It went into detail about a lot of risks and benefits of the various hospital procedures, which didn’t pertain to us because we had decided to do it at home, but if you’re planning a hospital birth are extremely beneficial. And it helped to reconfirm what I had already felt inside, “that I could definately do this”, and helped me to release stress and to ease into that peaceful Zen like mindset that I needed to be in so that I could have the amazingly enjoyable, gentle, loving and pain free childbirth, that I ended up having!
Hypnobirthing Childbirth Classes
Hypnobirthing is similar to Hypnobabies, from what I have heard they just don’t have as many CDs, but the ones they do have are amazing! They also have a 302 page handbook, relaxation scripts, information on exercises, nutrition, relaxation and breathing techniques, and handouts for planning your birth preferences. A lot of Mommas I have heard have great results and love this program!
“I was so impressed with the way my attitude toward birth changed. I started the class scared and skeptical, and now I am completely confident and excited about the birth of our first child. I found HypnoBirthing a relaxing, natural way to birth a child. The program has helped me to reclaim my power as a woman and trust my body to do what it was designed to do.” -Jody (UK)
Birthing from Within Childbirth Classes
http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/parents
Birthing from Within sounds like a great class! If I had known about it when I was pregnant I probably would have taken it. They also use “self hypnosis” and visualizations, but they seem to be a little more in tune with the spiritual aspects of birth and encourage you to look inside of yourself to find a place of peace and acceptance for whatever may happen during birth and to open your body and mind to go with the flow and allow birth to happen. Also it encourages creative connection and free expression through art.
“The classes have opened our eyes, minds, and hearts to a lot of amazing truths about the birth journey…my wife has felt deeply empowered and informed. We’ve talked about and become more aware of our feelings, our relationship, and the shape of our journey.” ~Stuart
“My Mentor spoke from a place in her heart that resonated experience, understanding, power, and warmth. Thanks to her, I broke through barriers that would have inhibited me in childbirth. I learned a lot about myself, my partner and birth, and felt my confidence grow with every passing week.” ~Jen
Bradley Childbirth Classes
Bradley is one that we’ve probably all heard of, it’s been around for a long time and many of our parents may have even taken it. It does not do hypnobirthing, but its focus is on natural “drug free” birth. They seem to provide a lot of important information on avoiding complications, relaxation and breathing techniques and trusting your body. It is called “husband coached childbirth” as they focus extra attention to the coaches role in assisting the Momma. They cover nutrition, healthy pregnancy, and the various stages of labor.
“I can’t believe what a difference The Bradley Method® classes made for me!”
“After taking The Bradley Method® classes, I had a totally natural birth, a strong healthy baby boy, and I felt absolutely wonderful afterward! It changed my life!”
Prenatal Yoga
Along with any other childbirth preparation class that you may take I highly encourage you to enroll in prenatal yoga classes. Yoga is the perfect practice of allowing your mind to enter into a place of peace and ease, while your body is at work, just like in birth. It also makes you feel great, and helps to align your energy centers to create the perfect balance of mind, body and spirit.
“I feel very strong physically and emotionally, as well as extremely focused and clear every time I leave your yoga classes.”
“Prenatal Yoga was exactly what I needed to strengthen myself during my pregnancy and help me through my labor. Without the classes, I would have never been strong enough to make it through my natural delivery and push the baby out. The stretching, breathing and kegel exercises were especially helpful during all stages of labor. It’s a wonderful nurturing place that I’d recommend to any pregnant woman.”
Remember that whatever childbirth classes you choose it is still always your experience and your birth, and so is up to you to pick and choose from what information best suits you. Use these classes as a way to reconfirm that you are on the right path and to prepare yourself mentally physically and spiritually to be in the right state for birth. The right class for you will align with your beliefs, will encourage you to trust in birth and in your body, and will make you feel great inside and out! Always listen to your intuition.
Mommas if you have taken any of these childbirth classes please feel free to share your wisdom, did they work? What childbirth classes did you like, dislike, or would you recommend?
Benefits of a Birthing Ball for a More Comfortable Childbirth
Birthing balls are awesome! They are easy to find, inexpensive and an invaluable comfort tool to use during your pregnancy, birth and post partum. In this article you’ll learn what a birthing ball is, where to get one, and how to use a birthing ball to help you have a more comfortable pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.
What is a birthing ball?
It is basically a large exercise ball, like the kind they use for physical therapy. They can be called Exercise Balls, Pregnancy Exercise Balls, Yoga Balls, or Birth Balls. But the names not as important as the benefits are! These balls have been discovered by the birthing world and have become a known as a Mommas greatest helper.
The Benefits of Using a Birth Ball
During early pregnancy your birthing ball is used as an exercise ball to prepare and strengthen your body to carry your baby more comfortably during your pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses your birth ball is used to create familiarity with birth positions and movements and to begin preparing your body for birth.
And in late pregnancy during the final stretch when space is getting tight and comfort is hard to find, your birth ball offers much needed relief from back and hip strain, and is used to line your baby up in the optimal fetal positioning.
During labor your birthing ball assists you into beneficial positions that make birth easier and less painful, it helps to open and create space in the pelvis for your baby to come down, provides great support for the Momma and helps her to conserve her energy. After your baby is here your birthing ball is a great tool to sooth your baby to sleep and to help you to get back into shape.
Purchasing a Birth Ball
You can get one in the sporting good section of most stores; they are easily found at fitness stores, and can even be purchased on line. They cost anywhere from $8.00 up to $50.00. I got the cheapest one and it worked great! They’re made out of vinyl and you pump them up with an air pump or a bike pump.
Choosing the Right Ball for You
Make sure to get the right size for you. An average woman 5’5″ is usually comfortable with a 65cm ball. If you are much shorter you should get a smaller 55 cm size or if you’re much taller you’d get the larger size. Check to make sure it’s the right fit for you by sitting directly on top, feet flat on the floor. Your legs should be at a 90 degree angle, either even with or lower than your hips. You should have someone support you until you get comfortable using the ball.
Make sure you get one with at least a 250-300lbs weight capacity or more depending on how much you already weigh, and remember that your weight will increase as your pregnancy progresses. Make sure that you get one that deflates slowly so that if it gets a hole you won’t fall on your butt.
How to Use Your Birth Ball to Have a Comfortable Pregnancy
Your Birthing Ball is your faithful exercise partner in preparing your body for pregnancy and birth.
Starting early on in pregnancy you can use your pregnancy exercise ball to do gentle exercises that encourage flexibility and strength, especially in your core muscles. Building a strong core helps to support your baby, takes the pressure off of your back, and allows you to carry your baby more comfortably.
Core strengthening on the exercise ball for early pregnancy:
Plank and Advanced Plank
Lie on the ball on your stomach, with your feet touching the floor behind the ball. Lean forward until you touch the floor with your hands.
Walk your hands away from the ball until you feel the ball reach your upper thighs (A). Keep your shoulders directly above your hands.
Tighten your abdominal muscles.
When you’re comfortable with the plank (A), try the advanced plank:
From position (A)push your body weight forward until your shoulders are in front of your hands and the ball is beneath your shins (B). Hold for three deep breaths. Return to the start position and repeat.
Exercises on the Birthing Ball for a Comfortable Pregnancy and Birth Preparation:
As your Pregnancy progresses and your hips are adjusting wide to make room for your baby you can use the exercise ball to open and increase the flexibility in your hips which helps to minimize resistance and allows them to expand easier decreasing a lot of the discomfort that can be felt in your hips and lower back.
Exercise #1 Rocking (Side to Side):
Sit on the ball with hips and legs spread wide to support you and then begin rocking from side to side.
Exercise #2 Rocking (Forward and Back):
Sit on the ball with hips and legs spread wide to support you and then begin rocking forward and backward
This next exercise is the best one you can do for yourself and your baby. Even if you don’t learn any other exercises this one’s a must! It is the act of spiraling, a movement that encourages you to tune into and connect with the rhythms and energy field of your body and the birth. The spiral is the most generative form of subtle energy. When its coil is unwound the stored energy is released. Become comfortable with this movement during your pregnancy and use it in your birth to spiral the energy of the contractions down through your body instead of allowing the pressure to concentrate in your stomach. It also opens your pelvis, creates space and moves your baby right down to your cervix.
Spirals on the Birthing Ball:
Sit on the ball with legs spread wide to support you and begin to spiral your hips, do big circles, then switch directions.
During the final months the birth ball is a saving grace for an achy body. Just by simply draping yourself over it greatly relieves the stress on your body and eases aches and pains in your back and hips.
Relaxation and Comfort Positions on the Birthing Ball:
Draping Over the Ball:
Sit on your knees, with your arms in front of you lie stomach down on the ball. In this position you can just relax there, or you can rock your torso back and forth or side to side.
Draping Over the Ball and Wagging your Tail:
Draped over the ball and keeping your torso still, you may sway your hips side to side, and begin to spiral making circle movements with your hips.
How to Use Your Birthing Ball to position Your Baby for Birth
During the final months you have to pay very special attention to what position you are sitting in. Your baby is moving around trying to get into the right position for birth. To Decrease the Risk of your baby turning into the breach position and to encourage proper positioning it is important to assume straight postures where your knees are level or lower than your hips. Sitting on the birthing ball naturally encourages that position.
How to Use Your Birthing Ball to Have an Easier More Comfortable Labor
Using the birthing ball during labor (especially early labor) allows you to use comfortable and purposeful upright positions. It increases freedom of movement, eases pain, opens pelvis, encourages dilating and effacing, and brings the baby down upon the cervix.
How to Use Your Birthing Ball during Birth:
You may sit on the ball and with your birth partner standing or sitting in a chair in front of you for added support you can do the rocking and spiraling, or you may do any of the movements draped over the ball as well. You may also sit on the ball and rest your head on the couch, bed or your partners lap and continue the rocking movements.
How to Use Your Birth Ball Even after Your Baby’s Born
The birthing ball is a great tool to help to sooth and comfort your baby beautifully. They love it when you sit on the birthing ball and gently bounce them in your arms, it’s familiar to the movement they are used to experiencing in the womb. It works wonders, like the rocking chair and it’s comfortable for you too. Also your birthing ball can turn back into an exercise ball to help tone your muscles after birth.
