You may have heard the comparison before: contractions are like waves. At first there is stillness, a break between waves. Then a wave builds slowly until it peaks and, ahhhhh … rolls away. Close your eyes, add in deep, audible breathing (like you’re fogging a mirror), and you can mentally transport yourself to a beach where you’re floating atop smooth, rolling waves.

This beautiful, calming imagery — so much the way labor can feel — has been helpful to countless birthing mamas.

Twin Cities doula, Blooma staffer, and pregnant mama Kathryn Orr recently blogged about her own experience with this wave imagery, experiencing it first-hand during her babymoon in St. Thomas. The lessons she took from swimming in the ocean are so spot-on, we thought we’d share one of them here.

When the waves would wash in and out, my instinct was to brace myself against them. Not good in the actual ocean, or in labor. It was much harder to brace myself and stay standing, than it was to lift my feet and float. In labor, bracing against waves/contractions is actually counter-productive. While that might be a natural response to pain or strong sensations, it works against what our bodies want to do. If we can relax and let our bodies do their work, labor will be shorter almost all the time.

Read Kathryn’s post in its entirety and catch the rest of her insightful wave-labor comparisons. When it’s your turn, mamas, dive in. Breathe. It’s time to get wet!

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

{By Colleen}

Oliver Thomas was born at 5:48 a.m. on Friday, March 8th, weighing 8½ lbs and 21 inches long.

I had contractions (“monkey labor”) during the evenings and overnight for several days. On Wednesday, 3/6, I had a routine MD appt and was feeling like labor would start any day. At the appt I was only 1cm dialated, and “still really high.” My doctor told us she was going out of town for a weekend ski trip (Th-Sun), but she assured me that most first time moms deliver late and she would see me the next week. She did have me go in to the birth center for a non-stress test because I felt like my uterus was not fully relaxing between contractions; everything checked-out fine and the nurse at the birth center said, “sorry, probably see you in a week or two.”

I hoped she was wrong, and she was! I had been feeling really uncomfortable at work. Everyone says to work right up until you go into labor, and I wanted to. I certainly didn’t want to be sitting at home, using up PTO and impatiently waiting for labor. But work was getting really uncomfortable as a home health nurse. I was having contractions during the day now, too (not particularly painful, but uncomfortable), had back pain, had to pee all the time, and I was just physically difficult to maneuver.

Thursday was a really rough day at work, and I finally decided I just could not do full days anymore. I felt like a wimp and was really worried that I could go another two weeks with “monkey labor” and no productive contractions.

Fortunately by Thursday evening it became clear that I was going to have this baby soon! My contractions were becoming more consistent and stronger. My husband, Russell, got home around 7 p.m. with dinner, and I tried to keep ignoring labor and eat some, but I had to stop and get on hands and knees to try to cope with the pain (and of course, had to go throw-up what I had tried to eat!).

I had imagined I would labor at home for a longer time, but the contractions seemed very strong and regular, and getting to the point where I could not talk or walk during them, so I decided I should quit ignoring them and starting counting. Contractions were coming at least every 2 minutes and lasting 45-60 seconds. We finished packing, taking care of our cat, etc. I was able to help/direct Russell between contractions, but needed to stop for each contraction and get on hands and knees.

We drove the short distance to the hospital. I stayed in the back seat so I could be on hands and knees for contractions. I was excited knowing that next time we came home it would be with a baby, but nervous that the contractions were already very painful. I had hoped to experience the birth with no medications or unnecessary intervention, but wasn’t sure how I would cope knowing the pain would only become more intense.

The first nurse I had was just finishing up her shift. She checked me and I was 3 cm dialated, 50% effaced. She explained that she would check again in an hour and if no progress I would go home. I knew I was making progress and these contractions were active labor. After an hour I was 4.5 cm and 70%. At this point I was still using hands and knees position during contractions to cope. I was worried that I really could not find any rest/comfort between contractions.

At 11 p.m. shift change I met Emily, the nurse who would be with us for the rest of the labor. She was wonderful. She got an order for “intermittent monitoring” so my movement wouldn’t have to be limited by the monitors. She was supportive and recommended position changes, including offering to set-up the tub room for me.

From about midnight to 2 a.m. I labored in the tub, where I could more easily rest between contractions. I started to feel confident that I could and would go through the labor without an epidural or pain medication. Partly, I could feel the effect I had learned about; endorphins were kicking in. Labor wasn’t becoming less painful but I somehow felt mentally more able to cope, “in laborland.” Mostly, as uncomfortable as I was, I could not image sitting still to get an epidural, or having my movement limited by the monitoring, catheter, etc that would go along with an epidural.

Starting in my second trimester, I had taken prenatal yoga classes at Blooma a couple of times per week. I don’t think I would have had such a good labor experience without the work at Blooma. In the classes we would hold certain poses (especially Goddess) for about a minute (8-10 breaths for me). The instructors taught that since contractions last about a minute, it can be helpful to count your breaths to know how far you are through each contraction. I remember thinking that would not be helpful for me, but I was wrong – it was so helpful. Russell could hear the change in my breath/moan when a contraction was starting, and he would count outloud each breath for me. I tried to “accept” the wave of intense “sensation” (pain!) and felt like, “I can do anything for 8-10 breaths.” And if the contraction ended at 7 or 8 breaths instead of 10, it felt like such a treat!

After an hour or so I was getting pruney in the tub and ready for a change, so we moved back into my labor room, which had been cleaned up and set up with the foot of the bed down and a bar to hold onto. During contractions, I would stand and lean forward holding onto the bar and Russell, peddling my feet back and forth and taking deep, loud breaths/moans. After a contraction I would sit down and lean against Russell to rest. I labor this way for another couple of hours.

I was now starting to really feel pelvic pressure and the urge to push, even though I knew I was not yet fully dialated. I’ve read and heard so many birth stories where women talk about the feeling that they have to poop, even though they don’t, but still, I could not believe how much I felt like I needed to poop! After almost every contraction I thought/said, “okay, that time I must have pooped!” but I had not. So now the pain with each contractions was less troublesome than the overwhelming need to push when I knew it wasn’t time yet.

Somewhere around 3:30 a.m. the nurse came in and checked me. I was somewhere around 8 cm dialated. I was getting tired of laboring in the room again but didn’t think any other position would be helpful, except maybe going back into the tub, which I didn’t want to ask to do… I had already made a mess of the tub room once and when I returned to my labor room thought I was there to stay. Fortunately my wonderful nurse asked if I wanted to get into the tub again and I did. It was the best thing to get me through another hour or so of labor as contractions became more intense. She checked me again in the tub, and I was at around 9½ cm dilated.

Time to move back to my labor room where I would hopefully soon be pushing the baby out! When the doctor checked she said I was fully dialated but just a little “lip” was left of my cervix that should could try to push back during my contractions. She did this and after a few more contractions said I could start pushing. I really couldn’t help pushing some with each contraction at this point anyway, but now I could really push! I used the bar and Russell to squat during contractions and pushing. The doctor and nurse told me I should just push during contractions, stopping to rest between. Now that I was pushing they kept the monitors on me.

After just a couple contractions with pushing, I could feel the baby’s head and was so excited; “I’m going to do this!” As the next contraction was ending, Russell reminded me again to stop and rest, but the doctor interrupted and said, “no, actually, keep pushing!” I could hear her tell the nurse that the cord was around the neck. The doctor stayed calm and I think tried to avoid alarming us, but she was very focused and I could tell we really needed to get the baby out fast. They didn’t have to tell me twice – the urge to push along with the fear that he needed to be delivered now made for some hard, fast pushing. In addition to the cord around his neck, one of his shoulders was stuck, so the doctor really had to tug on his head and other shoulder to get him out.

It was very scary to see that he was quite blue, quiet, and floppy when he came out. Fortunately it was only a few seconds with the bulb suction before he start coughing, I could see he was breathing and I knew everything was probably okay… still had to wait 4-5 minutes while he was checked out by the Children’s neonatal team in his bassinet before he was plopped on my chest, but the doctors and nurses were assuring me all the while that he looked good. His Apgar scores at birth were very poor, 2/10, but had improved to 8/10 by 5 minutes.

Finally I had him on my chest, the best thing I have ever felt.

And a good distraction while the placenta was delivered and my 3rd degree perineal tear was repaired!

I’ve never been so happy or unabashedly impressed with myself. ☺

I was able to keep Oliver skin to skin and breastfeed him right away, and I felt like we were so amazing.

*{A little note from Blooma: We joyfully share birth stories sent to us by Blooma families, however, Blooma does not claim responsibility for and does not endorse individual choices made by families or their care providers. We seek to share an array of birth stories to showcase a wide range of experiences.}

Photo by Sarah Hrudka

When women come together in a setting that’s intentional and trusting, something magical happens. Love, nurturing, listening, support, honoring. Add in the round, beautiful belly of a woman creating life within, and the energy of that gathering creates a deeply powerful well of support as she nears the next phase of her journey: birth.

This kind of gathering is called a Mother Blessing, or “blessingway.” Instead of showering a mother with store-bought gifts (though also fun!), a Mother Blessing showers a mama and her soon-to-be-born babe with community and meaningful rituals that encourage her to believe in the strength, softening, opening and surrender she’ll call upon during labor and birth — whether she plans to birth vaginally or by Cesarean.

Recently, we at Blooma held a group Mother Blessing for NINE of our jaw-droppingly amazing staffers who are pregnant right now. NINE! Though a blessingway is usually an intimate ceremony for just one mama at a time, making this a group ceremony was an incredible experience for us all! The pictures you see are from this special night.

Head wreaths for mamas // Photo by Sarah Hrudka

New to the Mother Blessing concept? Here are a few ideas. Pass them along to your best friend or sister so she can plan one for you, or start planning now for a special pregnant woman in your own life. Even if this sounds a bit out there to you, trust me when I say that every woman who attends (skeptical or not), will have plenty of feel-good-love hormones — and maybe a few tears! — flowing by the end of the night.

1) Open the Circle :: Create sacred space by inviting everyone to close their eyes, relax their shoulders, deepen the breath, and to fully arrive — mind, body and heart — in this space. Remind all the women in attendance why they’re here — to bless, honor and pamper the mama with their love and support as she begins the next phase of her mothering journey.

2) Introductions :: Set the scene with a large, lit candle in the center of the circle, representing the mother you’re honoring. Surround that candle with a circle of unlit candles — one for each woman in attendance. Each woman introduces herself by lighting one candle off the center candle, while sharing her name. The she calls in her female lineage by saying, “I am the daughter of ___, the granddaughter of ___, the great-granddaughter of ___ (if she knows their names), and mother to ____ (if she already has children).” Not only is it a hoot to hear names from the past, but this also invites all the women who’ve birthed before her into the sacred space.

Photo by Sarah Hrudka

3) The Rituals :: Choose from an array of meaningful rituals to create a ceremony that fits the mama’s needs and comfort level. Here are a few ideas, but feel free to get creative with your own! (And be sure give a heads up in the invitation of anything attendees need to bring):

• Poems & Blessings: Everyone brings a poem to read aloud, or writes her own thoughts/blessings for that mama. Compile the printouts at the end of the event so the mother can re-read these meaningful words in the following days or weeks leading up to her labor.
• Beads: Each woman brings a bead that reminds her of the mother in some way, or has a meaning of its own. For example, white agate is thought to ”protect mother and baby from harm, ease morning sickness, soothe labor pains & ensure a healthy flow of milk for the baby.” The bead can be new, from a store, or taken from an old piece of jewelry that you’d like to share. Designate a person to string the beads together into a bracelet or necklace that the mama can wear or use as a focal point during labor. With those beads, she’ll have all the power, love, and positive energy of the women in the blessingway circle with her at her labor!
• 

  Lilacs & homemade bath salts // Photo by Sarah Hrudka

  Bath Salts: Bring a beautiful, large bowl full of sea salt and invite each woman in the circle to add to the bowl an herb, essential oil or flower petals. For example, lavender (either the flower itself or a therapeutic-grade essential oil) calms the body and mind, and may ease nausea. Stir all the additions into the salt and invite everyone to take some home in a small mason jar.

• Pamper Her: Hire a henna artist to create a design on the mama’s belly, or circle and pamper her by massaging her shoulders, neck, hands, and/or feet with massage oil.

4) Close the Circle :: Invite everyone to stand and gather closely. Take a spool of sturdy thread, cord or yarn and pass it around the circle, wrapping the wrist of the woman next to you several times with the thread. You’ll all be connected by this thread, reminding you of your connection to the mother and her baby. Take a few deep breaths while holding hands and honoring this connection. Pass a pair of scissors to cut the thread between you, then pair off to knot the thread on the wrist, creating a bracelet. Ask each woman to wear her thread continuously until she learns of the safe arrival of baby.

Photo by Sarah Hrudka

5) Feast! :: Once the ritual had ended, the feast begins. It can be especially meaningful if those in attendance contribute to a potluck by bringing a favorite dish, or perhaps dishes inspired by women important in their lives. Make sure there’s a special drink or mocktail for the mama, and a mix of healthy foods in addition to a few fabulous treats.

Share with us below your own favorite blessingway rituals or how your blessingway helped prepare you for birth and motherhood!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Look at these gorgeous, loved up mamas! Recognize any of your favorite Blooma yoga teachers, front desk staffers or massage therapists?? // Photo by Sarah Hrudka

Surrounding the mamas with all our Blooma love! // Photo by Sarah Hrudka

Laura hopes that by sharing her story, more mamas (and their partners) will learn to identify when they need help and find the courage to seek out the help.

If you need help NOW, click here to find resources nationally and click here to find support in Minnesota.

“Remember that life can be hard but it shouldn’t feel SO hard,” Laura says. “It shouldn’t take so much effort to smile or laugh. If something feels off, then take the first (scary) step of letting someone in your life know that. There are many things out there can help and you most certainly aren’t alone in feeling this way.”

Think you might be struggling with postpartum depression and/or anxiety? Don’t wait to get help. Laura is on the other side of her struggle now, though she vividly remembers how hard it was to take that first step to get help. She tells Blooma:

Even though it can feel almost insurmountable to admit that something is off, I can only encourage other women to do so. Tell someone — your partner, a friend, a family member or your doctor or midwife that you aren’t feeling like yourself. Postpartum depression and anxiety can look like a lot of things and for me it was never an obvious obstruction to my life. I was still getting things done and being a loving mother and wife … but I felt so exhausted and depleted and frankly, miserable inside. There was a disconnect between the life I was living and the life I was feeling. And that is what I encourage other women (and men, too) to pay attention to.

Is something consistently feeling off day after day? Do you wake up in the morning with a dread that doesn’t make sense in the context of your life? Then tell someone. Something needs to change whether it be as simple as needing more sleep (okay, wait, that is never simple when there are children involved!) or maybe the change means needing to see a therapist and/or a psychiatrist.

Just as there is a range of postpartum anxiety and depression experiences, there are a range of things that will help you feel better. Also — keep in mind that thyroids get wacky in the postpartum period and living in Minnesota means our vitamin D levels can be very low — both of these things cause feelings of depression and lethargy. Consider ruling out a medical cause for a depressed mood.

Laura, who gave birth in 2011, reports that she’s now doing well. 

(I’m) no longer on medication and the process of weaning off medication was pretty much a non-issue. However, I’m still watching myself closely for signs of feeling like life is “too hard” especially in the face of nothing really being wrong … I also keep firm boundaries around needing sleep and needing breaks — two factors that were very much lacking around the time my depression & anxiety took a firm hold over me.

As is often the case when someone comes through a hard time in their life, I am now grateful for having gone through it. I learned a lot about myself and what I need to function in an optimal way. I feel so much happier now, probably happier and more grateful for my life than I would have been had I not struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. The bad became good.

Here is Laura’s personal blog post about her struggle, written when she was in depths of it all, with a dose of perspective and reflection offered a month later after she began medication. Thank you, thank you, Laura for sharing your story.

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

__

{By Emily}

I was getting impatient after our midwife informed us at our 39 week checkup that I was 3 cm dialated and 80% effaced, but nothing happened. Three days later, on February 8th, I went into labor after a day of shopping.

We decided to go out to eat for my cousin’s birthday where mild contractions came (around 7 pm) while I was trying to act normal in my solid wooden chair. If getting up six times to “use the bathroom” is normal, I think I pulled it off.

When we got home, we watched some Downton Abbey and I tried to go to sleep. Laying down was incredibly uncomfortable, as it had been during the third trimester, so I still wasn’t sure that I was actually in labor. At 2 am, Richard woke up to find me traveling to and from the bathroom and told me not to be a hero and that I should have woken him up.

My contractions would be very random, sporadic, and sometimes even felt like menstrual cramps. We started watching a documentary, which put me to sleep in a seated position for almost four hours! At 7 am I woke up to mild contractions but could carry on a phone conversation with ease.

After breakfast I started making cookies to distract myself and stay on my toes. This was the best decision of the day. Labor picked up and I still felt very comfortable and relaxed.

As the afternoon went on, I took a long bath and was able to converse and joke with Richard the whole time even though contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. He kept me relaxed throughout the afternoon with light touch massage, soothing music, and reminding me to relax each part of my body. He did so well that I didn’t know how far along I was until I started pushing in the bathtub. At this point we knew it was time (or past time) to go to the hospital. I asked if I could go naked; he said no. Ha! Pushing was a huge relief and I needed to grunt for each and every push. Richard hummed in a low pitch so I would match his pitch.

In the car I rode backwards on my knees and at the hospital I also rode in the wheelchair on my knees. The midwife skipped registration and brought us to the delivery room where I pushed on my forearms and knees for about 20 minutes until Liam came out crying!

The midwife didn’t bother us, ask us annoying questions, or even measure me. It was a blessing to have such a relaxed and in-tune midwife. She said that I didn’t tear most likely because of the position that I was in worked slightly against gravity giving him more time to travel down the birth canal.

I keep saying that I would rather give birth every month than be pregnant for nine, but this is mostly thanks to the Hypnobirthing class that helped Richard and I stay so calm and relaxed throughout the 26 hours of labor. Thank you Channing for all of your wisdom and guidance!

Sincerely,
Emily

*{A little note from Blooma: We joyfully share birth stories sent to us by Blooma families, however, Blooma does not claim responsibility for and does not endorse individual choices made by families or their care providers. We seek to share an array of birth stories to showcase a wide range of experiences.}

Angela “Gigi” Lull, Blooma St. Paul massage therapist

Blooma welcomes massage therapist, Angela Lull — also known as “Gigi.” She moved to the Twin Cities about year ago from Des Moines and we’re so happy to have her as part of the Blooma family!

Gigi is the full package: nationally certified massage therapist of eight years, certified birth doula, and certified lactation counselor. Get to know Gigi in our Q&A below and book a massage (click on Wellness/Bodywork) for yourself or your partner at Blooma St. Paul, Tuesday evenings or Saturday mornings!

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Q :: What kind of massage do you specialize in, and what should I expect as a first-timer to see you?
A :: I specialize in several types of massage, including prenatal, postnatal, infant, cupping, deep tissue and MRT (a technique that stretches and elongates the muscles). I listen carefully to what you need, and bring a warm and down-to-earth approach to structural healing.

Q :: What is it that you love about massaging mamas? (And do you take appointments for partners, too?) 
A :: I love being a part of the birth journey for women and families, and I’m honored to provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support during the childbearing years. I enjoy helping moms melt their muscles … either preparing them for birth or helping their bodies rejuvenate after birth. Putting life back into one’s body makes my heart sing! I’ve been called the “Epi-Doula” — magic hands!

I also regularly work on partners, family members, and friends, too — anyone can see me at Blooma. My massages are tailored to what you need.

Q :: Tell us more about you? What kinds of things make your heart swell and what do you love doing outside of the massage room?
A :: When not working at Blooma, I can be found working at HCMC as a doula on the Birthing Unit. You’ll also find me enjoying new restaurants, live music, and the arts with friends new and old.

This Mother’s Day, let’s all recommit to nourishing ourselves, even when it doesn’t seem convenient.

So lately I’ve eased up on holding myself back from a daytime yoga practice, which I typically do before the kids are awake, or after they’re asleep. True, my yoga practice looks different with my children crawling under me, on top of me, around me, or chattering in the background. But this is my life — my sweet, sweet, sometimes chaotic life. And I want to share the yoga that I love with my children.

Think of the example we can set for our children — self-care when we need it, breath awareness, and loving attention to creating a strong body and open heart.

The below video, posted on Yoganonymous, is a reminder of the sweetness of practicing in the presence of your children. Try it a few times. Let us know how it goes. Before you know it, your kiddos will be growing up, practicing down dogs alongside you, reveling in the joy of sharing a few deep breaths together.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to each and every one of you AMAZING women, yogis, and mamas. We wish you nourishing breath, mindful moments of peace, and the fabulous massage you so deserve.

xoxo,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Treat yourself to our special Mother’s Day Flow Yoga class Sunday, 2:30-4 p.m., at Blooma Minneapolis. Sisters, aunts, mothers, daughters (ages 8+), partners, and friends are welcome! Come and relax with Ella Chissotti while being serenaded by the lovely Shahar Eberzon. Please pre-register.

Whether prenatal or postnatal, a mother, a sister, a grandmother, daughter or friend, you’re welcome at Blooma’s special Mother’s Day Flow Yoga class on Sunday, May 12, 2013.

Fee: $25 for adults | $10 for kids ages 8-14.

If you need help registering, give us a call at 612.223.8064.) Sign up now if interested — we have just a few spots left!

Join us at Blooma Sunday to nurture your body, spirit and heart with a little love on your yoga mat. Our regular Sunday schedule is also on as usual at both our Minneapolis and St. Paul studios.

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Monica Matos, a Twin Cities-based childbirth consultant, educator and advocate is pouring her heart and soul into this project, which is currently seeking funding to bring it to life. Check out her completed trailer below!

Monica also founded Ten Moons Rising, which offers education about the importance of mindful conception, pregnancy and birth. The film is based on her ongoing work in this field.

Interested in donating, or know of a foundation or philanthropist who might be interested? Contact Monica at monica@tenmoonsrising.org. In the meantime, get updates on Life Imitates Birth on its Facebook page.

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Ahhhh. So it goes with labor, too.

“When we bring more love to any situation, many of the rough edges disappear,” says Debra Pascali-Bonaro, a gentle childbirth advocate, doula, author and filmmaker. Read her fantastic article about reducing pain with oxytocin.

The most miraculous hormone to call upon when you’re laboring is oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” It’s the hormone released during sex, when you’re nursing, and yes!, when you’re in a safe, supported laboring groove. Oxytocin is your natural pain reliever. It’s excellent stuff. And nothing but your very own body can make it as perfectly as you do.

Consider these 5 tips for boosting your oxytocin level during labor and birth. Have one you’d like to add? Leave a comment below with your wise mama tips! 

1. When you’re in early labor or once labor is well-established, ask everyone to leave the room for a few minutes. Invite love and softness into your birthing space by spending a few minutes connecting to your partner without words. Whether you close your eyes and lean into your partner’s chest during a slow dance, or lock eyes and sync your breathing, this powerfully sets the tone for the rest of your labor.

2. Kiss your partner during labor. Sounds bizarre, right? When I first read this in Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, I thought this sounded C-R-A-Z-Y and wildly unappealing. Make out during labor? Pshaw! But then I got pregnant and during my long labor (5 years ago today, eh-hem), my husband kissed me… while I was laboring on the toilet. (Now that’s love!) And my whole body softened. Tears came. And softness. There was an emotional and physical release that I’d been holding back. Like Debra’s quote above, the sweet tenderness of my husband’s kiss reminded me that I was safe and loved, and all the edges softened. We joke that it was for sure the last time ever we’ll make out while one of us is sitting on the toilet! Think it sounds bonkers? Try it. And report back. You might even like it… a lot.

Image from Penny Simkin’s fabulous, free, downloadable PDF, Comfort in Labor.

3. Pick your favorite laboring pose that gets you and your partner close. This can be especially helpful if you’re starting to feel out of control during labor. Practice this unique take on a supported squat now, before your labor begins:

• Your partner sits on a firm chair, legs spread wide.
• Face your partner and sit on his or her lap, straddling him or her. (This may sound kinky, but trust me, it’s comforting and comfortable.)
• Wrap your arms around your partner’s neck and allow your hips and bottom to sink deeply between his or her legs.
• Breathe. Release. Let go.

This gets you two close, while supporting you physically and widening your pelvis — bonus!

4. Partners: If mama is laboring in the tub, suit up and get in! You can lean against the inside edge of the tub while mama leans back against you, feeling your warmth, skin and loving touch. This is a great time to clasp hands if she needs something to brace against while pushing, too. Whatever feels good to her will come naturally.

5. If being touched doesn’t sound appealing, your oxytocin can still get a boost by hearing reminders of being loved and supported. A simple, yet meaningful “I love you” or “You’re so beautiful” should do the trick.

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma