Birth and the polyvagal response…
https://youtu.be/nr7lbENYAH4
Sheila Kitzinger on PTSD and Birth.
https://youtu.be/90Df4XMHjLY
Emma Svanberg, The Mumologist
Trauma informed care is of the upmost importance. A support person, whether Doula or Birth Partner, should be able to recognize signs of disassociation and suffering during childbirth and the postpartum period.
The Polyvagal theory allows us to understand our nervous systems responses during times of stress and vulnerability.
The Polyvagal Theory as it relates to birth is so key!
We want the mother/birthing person to remain in a state of relaxation, of calm and in a place of safety as her labor intensifies. With deep breathing exercises, comfort measures, relaxation/meditation techniques, self regulation, and trust in the process, she can.
As the Sympathetic nervous system becomes activated, and adrenaline, fear, pain and tension set in, as a support person it is important for me to reduce this involuntary response within. Help is on the way!! Renewed feelings of safety, using rhythmic movements, sucking on a hard candy, bouncing on a birth ball, eye contact, mantra, sway, a 5 senses check in. Reset within your environment. A deer in the wild will not birth in an unsafe environment if she senses danger. If we feel unsafe during our birthing experience, we will also move to a fight or flight response, where labor becomes challenging for mom and baby.
When the mom/birthing person reaches a state known as dorsal vagal, and is feeling extremely vulnerable, unsafe, fearful, helpless, this is where support is of the upmost importance. Words of encouragement, positive affirmations, eye contact, hands on support, is paramount. Slow movement, massage, counterpressure, hertz frequency or spa playlists.
The most important piece of this entire experience, is the mind - body connection. What do we truly believe to be true? Are we communicating our truth, our needs? Do we believe in ourselves? This is all very intimate work… very deeply rooted within our consciousness. The starting point, the foundation of our mind-body balance is understanding our nervous system response to stress, and how to cope with this response.
We are the power we seek, in the most vulnerable of times.
M
