More recently men have been experimenting with ‘labour stimulators’ to feel what giving birth is all about. From 100 Chinese men in a hospital in Shandong, to Kim Dean in the US who was recently viewed over 1,7 million times on YouTube ‘writhing and screaming in pain’ (according to a Daily Telegraph report) when connected to a device that made his recti and abdominal muscles contract the way the womb does during labour.
But doing this is a distorted replay of labour and can make pregnant women frightened. Women need to know that her body has been designed – muscles, hormones, ligaments and joints – for labour and giving birth.
Here’s how:
• Pre-labour contractions begin slowly and gently (called Braxton-Higgs) a few weeks before labour begins
• During active labour, contractions begin at the top of the womb (called the fundus) and ripple towards the cervix (mouth of the womb) gradually changing the shape of the womb to ‘thin out’ and open the cervix. This is called dilation
• Contractions come and go – they begin, peak then end
• There is no pain between contractions
• During labour the body produces endorphins (a natural morphine) to help woman cope with the pain
• The hormone called relaxin allows the pelvic ligaments and joints to stretch and widen the birth canal
• When women feel comfortable and unhurried (at home or in hospital with the help of sensitive midwives) she can choose which position is comfortable for her – and change it according to her needs
• The practice of leaving women to lie on their backs in the ‘stranded beetle position’ during labour is obsolete.
Childbirth (Lamaze) classes, aim to take the FEAR out of giving birth. Fear enhances pain by increasing stress levels. Massage, gentle music, dim lights, warm water, soothing words of comfort and encouragement all help a woman to work with her body during labour contractions. In this way, survival hormones are released. Women have coped with this incredible event called giving birth since the dawn of time – and will continue to do so and do cope surprisingly well with support rather than interference.
Chat to your midwife or doctor about this.
