Tag: Comfort during pregnancy

Everyone is entitled to a physiological birth

Published on by joannbishopdoulaLeave a comment
Better Birth Pro Series 2022 Panel

I am titilated to be invited to participate in the Better Birth Pro series panel on June 5th. Becoming certified in the Body Ready MethodTM has provided me a plethora of tools and knowledge on when to use them to stack the cards in your favor by optimizing the pregnant body for a more comfortable pregnancy, more efficient birth, and a smoother recovery.

Why did you, fellow birth worker, decide to work with pregnancy and/or birth?

For me, it was because I could impact a client’s birth experience with evidence based tools to help them have the birth they desired.

That’s why I didn’t even hesitate when Body Ready MethodTM asked me to join the Better Birth Pro series in a panel discussion about our responsibility of supporting physiological birth beyond comfort measures.

I get to participate in a conversation about what this responsibility means to me and why I am a huge advocate of support beyond comfort. Don’t get me wrong, comfort measures are huge and they should not be tossed aside, but there is so much more we can and should do to support our clients!

Join us, June 5, at 1p ET as we put it all out there. We can’t expect to change the norms unless we are ready to talk about ‘em… and we are ready!

This is just ONE of five information packed sessions of the Better Birth Pro Series. 

Check out the rest of the events and sign up free 

Hope to see you on Zoom!

PS – All who register will gain replay access to all BBP sessions! You have nothing to lose. Sign up FREE here.

woman posing with variety of stylish footwear

What do shoes have to do with birth?

Published on by joannbishopdoula
Sale photo created by marymarkevich – www.freepik.com

It’s all connected. We know that. But shoes and pregnancy, really? How we hold our body and use our body throughout the day impacts our tissues and alignment. In order for your baby to more easily find her way through the inlet of your pelvis, your body needs to be in neutral pelvis alignment, ideally with anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) stacked over pubic symphysis (PS) in a vertical plane. The shoes we wear affect our alignment and posture by causing us to tip forward and shorten and tighten our calf muscles. When that happens, our posterior chain is shortened and the front of our body has to work harder to keep us upright. The lower back arches forcing the hips and pelvis out of alignment to an anterior tilt making it more difficult for baby to enter the pelvic inlet. The ribs flare to keep us upright. The head and neck are pulled forward and we strain to keep our eyes on the horizon. The body adapts to how it is used and finds a way to keep you upright and not falling forward. The compensation pattern caused by stresses and mis-alignment bring the body into a less than optimal situation. Tension in the calves ultimately affects the pelvic floor which needs to be supple and responsive in order to yield for birth. So, yes, shoes impact pregnancy and birth because they affect our posture and alignment. So, what is a person to do? If you are one who has been in a high heel for much of your life, the transition to a lower heel would be helpful. Making that transition too rapidly might painful as your muscles need to adjust. Ideally spending as much time barefoot or in a flat shoe will help your body find its biomechanical advantage.

You can check your alignment by placing your fingers on these bony markers when you are seated and standing. If the ASIS appears to be in front of the PS, this would indicate an anteriorly tilted pelvis; a very common mis-alignment in our western world and popular shoe styles. There are many tools and positions we can share that will help bring back that biomechanical advantage and draw the pelvis closer to neutral, making it easier for your baby to find her way out. And who doesn’t want an easier labor? If you would like to schedule a session for an assessment of your alignment and posture, please reach out. In the mean time, you could try a wall stretch. A wall stretch for the calves is done in front of a wall. Stand close to a wall facing it. Be slightly away from the wall. Hold the wall with both hands with palms resting on it. Place one leg ahead of the other one with toes up on the wall. Bend this forward leg and do a stretching movement while keeping the other foot behind this leg. Hold and return to starting position. Do this three times. Do the exercise with the opposite leg also. You can also check out One Strong Mama, an exercise program designed for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum which addresses a comprehensive body alignment.

Staying Cool While Pregnant

Published on by joannbishopdoulaLeave a comment
Background photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com

Being pregnant during a Wisconsin Summer can be a challenge to staying comfortable. In the Milwaukee area, even though we are now officially in the Summer season, temperatures have still been cool and wet. However, because we live in Wisconsin, we know the hot, humid, sticky weather of Summer will arrive soon. When you are carrying another human inside you, the effects of the heat can be felt even more intensely. 

If you are pregnant, how will you stay comfortable and safe during the hot summer days? Let ‘s think about these things now.  

  • Hyperthermia – Abnormally high body temperature can be dangerous for pregnant women.  During the Heat Advisories, stay cool in the shade or inside and avoid hot tubs. Applying a cool washcloth to the nape of the neck and forehead can feel refreshing. Carry around a personal hand held fan for those times you are feeling the heat Maybe hang out at one of Southeastern Wisconsin’s beautiful lakes in the shade and feel the breeze.
  • Exercise safely – Swimming is a great exercise for pregnant women, feeling the freedom of movement in all directions can be lovely when you are feeling a bit encumbered by the weight gain.
  • Hydrate – Pregnant women are more likely to show signs of dehydration such as lightheadedness or dizziness which would cause them to fall. Also, low levels of hydration can affect your hormones which, in late pregnancy, could stimulate intermittent uterine contractions. The Cleveland Clinic recommends pregnant women drink 10-12 glasses of water a day.

So, grab a towel, pick up your favorite book on pregnancy or parenting, head to the beach, put an umbrella in that tall, chilled glass of water and enjoy the albeit brief Summer of Wisconsin.