Kimberly Cruz
How can Active Birth Reduce Pain During Labor?
Active Birth is the ability to add various body movements while being in labor. Movements can include squatting, standing, walking, sitting, or kneeling. It is a process into giving a more “natural” birth and reducing any complications of labor that can arise.
In order to prepare to give an active birth, the mother must not be confined to their bed beforehand. The mother must constantly be active, a safe and popular way for preparation of labor is doing yoga. Yoga can help the mother get into various safe positions to find a way that best feels comfortable for giving birth. During labor, the most common position to give birth for many women is any upright position. As it is easier on their back and releases any tension to prevent any complication within their own body and it helps for the baby to come out smoother.
Once the mother has been consistent with her active duties, and has an idea of the best position is best for her to give birth in, it can reduce a lot of the pain. The body would be accustomed to the body position. When in labor the body can release “very high levels of Oxytocin and Endorphins” (Balaskas, J) when there is freedom for the mother to move around. This can make it a lot easier to handle birth and potentially be faster, which can reduce the amount of pain compared to those who aren't as active. Due to the release of the oxytocin hormone, it can also help retract the uterus after birth to try to avoid any bleeding.
Main points of active birth are and why women do it:
The pelvic joint are more free to expand
Can the shorten labor time
Allows women to have a bit more of control during labor
Help reduce pain
The placental flow can be improved
(TheCHESTERFEILDROYAL, 2017)
References
Balaskas, J. Active birth: The new approach to giving birth naturally. Child Development Institute. childdevelopmentinfo.com/childdevelopment/preparing_for_birth/active_birth/
Balaskas, J. What is active birth? Active Birth Centre.
activebirthcentre.com/what-is-active-birth/#
TheCHESTERFEILDROYAL. (2017, May 7). Active birth - Benefits for mother and baby before and after birth [Video]. YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOEMzf8J11c