BIRTH
Warmth during labour
Nourishment during labour
Care of the newborn immediately after the birth
The importance of breastfeeding and colostrum
WARMTH DURING LABOUR
It's important that the mother be warm during labour and not get chilled. Cold makes us contract and slow down to save heat, so being warm is important for you to feel open and comfortable, and warmth helps you to relax and breathe deeply.
Taking a warm bath or shower during labour is often used to lessen labour pain and enhance relaxation. [1]
Woman at Her Bath, circa 1895 by Degas
“The body is designed to naturally decrease the appetite as labor progresses. When the body is hungry it is because the blood sugar levels are low and need to be raised. Not eating during labor will reduce your energy, increase your fatigue, and decrease your ability to deal with the stress of labor. Hunger is a sign the mother is most likely still in early labor, and she should eat something.” [2] Jennifer Vanderlaan
[1] Simkin, Penny PT and April Bolding PT. Nonpharmacologic Approaches to Relieve Labor Pain: Baths in Labor,MedScape Today, Web MD researched January, 2010 <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/494120_4>
[2] Vanderlaan, Jennifer. Early Labor Mistakes. Birthing Naturally 22 October, 2009, researched November, 2009 <http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/progress/elmistake.html>
A Portrait of Naniwaya Okita, the Famous Teahouse Waitress Serving a Cup of Tea by Utamaro Kitagawa
NOURISHMENT DURING LABOUR
Refreshing and helpful hints for labour: Sipping raspberry leaf herb tea, even cool, is thought to help labour along. Sipping water with a few homeopathic drops of arnica or Rescue Remedy can help soothe and calm the mother (available at health food stores). Some women swear by frozen grapes to chew and suck on when labour is long.
Conscious Parenting Guide www.consciousparentingguide.com 2009
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Copyright © Julie Le Gal Brodeur 2009 Updated July 28, 2010