From the desk of The Birth Hive
Newest Posts…
My Best Labor Trick (That You Haven't Heard Of)
Ease the intensity of labor with my best pain management trick - all you need are four common household items.
My Best Labor Trick
(That You Haven’t Already Heard Of)
There are a lot of tips and tricks out there that claim to help to lessen a woman's discomfort while in the birth process. If we're being honest, most of them are probably placebos (I'm TOTALLY cool with placebos if it helps though!).
Most of the time, implementing comfort tools results in the birther feeling more in control because they are actively "doing something" to provide relief. In my experience, it's a really good way of distracting the birther so they aren't hyper-focused on sensations coming and going - and this is, what I believe, what part of the success of those tricks.
With that being said, I do have one tried, tested and true birthy comfort tool that you probably haven’t heard about and that I absolutely swear by. I acknowledge that there’s a little bit of prep that goes into this but the result is magical and totally worth it. You’re going to need four, pretty common, household items.
Your Supplies
1) Face cloths. Quite a few (at least a dozen). They don’t need to be luxurious quality by any means. I use ones from the dollar store and they’re still holding up well 4 years later. I like to have about 20 on hand to be safe.
2) A crock pot. Pre-2018 and the rise of the Instant Pot and air fryer, the crock pot was everyone’s favourite kitchen gadget. But you’ve probably never used any of those gadgets like this!
3) Lavender essential oil. I know what you’re thinking. You’ve stumbled on this really awesome doula blog (thanks, by the way) that you LOVE because she seems just like you and now here she goes down the essential oil rabbit hole. Just breathe for a moment before you hastily hit the close button. I’ve used this technique myself and, you guys… it really works. So, please join me in welcoming Lavender Essential Oil to our birth teams. Just like you chose the best quality of people for your birth team, chose a good quality essential oil. You deserve the best.
4) Kitchen tongs. Self explanatory.
Execution
When you start the birth process, start boiling some water. Either one large pot or several medium sized pots. Once that water has boiled, transfer it to your crock pot. Fill up the crock pot with regular hot tap water (this will bring the temperature down so it’s not scalding).
Add your face cloths. All of them. Don’t cut corners. There’s no point saving ‘em. Go ahead. Put them all in there.
Add roughly 20 drops of your lavender essential oil (start with less and if you need more, add it).
Put the lid on the crock pot and set to either low or hot depending on whether your crock pot runs warm or not. Check it (or have someone on your birth team) intermittently to ensure it’s hot enough. Add more boiling water or turn up the temperature setting if it isn’t hot enough.
What To Do With It
When your water is hot and the lavender and face cloths infused, remove one face cloth (with tongs to avoid anyone sticking their hand into a crock pot of hot water - this is a great job for your partner!). Wring out excess water from the face cloth and place it where you’re feeling your sensations (whether it’s in the front of your abdomen or in your back or your thighs… wherever! for the duration of the sensation. Remove at the end of the sensation and place face clothback in the crock pot to reheat. Repeat the process however many times necessary, cycling through all of the face cloths so that you’re getting a hot one each time.
When To Use
Don’t use this one right off the start line. It’s one of those things that would fall under the “save the best for last” category. If you’re at the point where you’re questioning your ability to cope, it’s time.
Why It Works
Lavender is known to promote relaxation and pain relief. Relaxation is key (physically and mentally) as it helps a woman settle into birth, allowing sensations to come and go without tensing up - which can hinder progress. The heat from hot water can help your body release endorphins (your natural pain killer, what what).
And there you have it! I’ve been waiting a long time to share this little trick of mine. I hope you find the same relief with it that I - and dozens of my clients - have. Happy birthing, boss!
5 Reasons Why You Should Exercise During Your Pregnancy
Exercising during pregnancy used to be considered unsafe. Now health care providers recognize the many benefits - both physical and mental - that exercise has on a pregnant woman. Keep reading for five reasons why you should exercise when pregnant.
Exercise. For most of us, it’s the last thing you want to be doing in the midst of pregnancy (am I right?!). Your body is noticeably heavier, sore in places you didn’t know could be sore and that baby is sucking the life out of you - you’re tired. So tired. And despite all that, I’m going to tell you to keep up with an exercise program? You betcha . And with good reason. So before you trade this post for Netflix and chill (in the literal form), hear me out. Because I’ve got 5 good reasons why exercising during your pregnancy is worth your while.
#1: Helps Manage Weight
I’ll preface this by saying you are absolutely supposed to gain weight during your pregnancy. Duh. It would be concerning if you didn’t. With that said, getting your sweat on several times a week will prevent excess weight gain while helping you maintain your overall shape and muscle tone.
#2: Positive Body Image
As the old saying goes when you look better, you feel better. There are two types of women. The women who love their new pregnant bodies and the women who - well - just don’t. Exercise has been proven to foster positive body image and while both groups of women can benefit from positive body image, what better remedy for the latter group than to combat the pregnant body blues?
#3: (Mega) Labour Benefits
Studies have found that pregnant women who maintained a prenatal fitness program experienced shorter labours and fewer medical interventions. I don’t know about you but, to me, those selling features are worth their weight in gold. Exploring this point in a little more detail, there are added benefits such as improved mental stamina and physical endurance which, again, pay off big time during birth.
Mental Stamina
Out of all the benefits of exercising during your pregnancy this, to me, is numero uno . The biggie. Exercising during your pregnancy with push you out of your comfort zone. It will tire you. You’ll want to give up and call it a day. Drawing any parallels here? You guessed it. Birth will push all of these same buttons. Consistently pushing and challenging yourself physically during your pregnancy strengthens your mental stamina - paving the way for when it comes time to birth. You’ll see the wall. You’ll hit the wall. And drawing on your training, you’ll know how to dig deep and push through.
Physical Endurance
Birth is a long, physical process. I really believe that being in decent shape when you head into your birth prevents you from tiring early. It’s a marathon, ladies! And you wouldn’t show up to a marathon without having done any training beforehand, would ya?
#4: Release the Endorphins
Prenatal mood disorders are alive and well, my friends. Preliminary research shows that 1 in 7 women will experience some sort of prenatal mood disorder during their pregnancies. For some of these women, exercise will play a huge part in their ability to manage their mood. Exercise boosts endorphins (which promote that feeling of general happiness) for 2 to 3 hours after about 20 minutes of heart pumping action. A pretty good return on investment.
(For others of you who are experiencing pre/perinatal mood disorders, please reach out to your doctor or midwife. And if you aren’t sure where to start, send me a message and I can walk you through the steps).
#5: Keeps the Aches + Pains Away
Keeping your body moving helps to keep it limber. I’m not talking about ballerina limber, I’m talking about being able to sit criss-cross-apple-sauce or bend over to pick up the Timbit that dropped on the floor. Basics. Keeping your body limber prevents it from seizing and tightening up (good-bye aches and pains). It has been associated with fewer backaches - a common foe of the pregnant woman.
Have I warmed you up a little bit to the thought of continuing (or even starting) an exercise program during your pregnancy? Remember: short term pain equals long term gain - for your body and your birth. Shoot me a message if you’re looking for recommendations for specific prenatal fitness programs or if you’d to hear my recommendations on local prenatal fitness classes.
Disclaimer: all pregnant women should get clearance from their doctor or care provider before starting a new exercise program.