Childbirth Educator Tip - Using Ice Cubes to Demonstrate Effective Coping Techniques

[AussieDoula]

I saw this demonstrated at the Childbirth Class I attended last week...
The instructor used a technique to simulate how to block out pain during contractions by having the couples all hold an ice cube in their fist tightly for the duration of an average contraction.
Then she had them hold two ice cubes (one in each hand) for even longer, to simulate active labour contractions.
She had them breathe through one contraction and use relaxation techniques, then not use any relaxation techniques at all for another contraction, so that the couples could all see the benefits of focus and relaxing during contractions.
Excuse my muddled typing, it's 4am and I am having an episode of insomnia despite being extremely tired, lol!
Anyways, I thought this might be something you other CBE's might find interesting and incorporate it or a close replica of it in your own classes (I have heard of other CBEs having the mamas partner squeeze/pinch her thigh above the knee to emphasize the same point).

[Matrescence]

Cool idea!

I do something similar in prenatals as a doula, I get a bowl and fill it half with ice and some cold water, get lots of towels and have dad go through a mock contraction first while mom and I chat about whatever... after about 45 seconds I have him take his hand out and ask him what his instincts were telling him to do... usually they say 'pull my hand out', then we talk about why mom may ask for medicine or say I can't do this, I also ask if our chatting during that contraction bothered him... most of the time I get a 'yes', so we talk about what happens when mom is working through a contraction and someone's cell phone rings or someone comes in the room chatting... I ask mom if she wants to do it or not, this exercise is mostly for the partner though

[1stimestar]

Another twist on this exercise is to have them hold the ice as long as possible. You can do the chattering or the relaxation parts too. Then afterwards ask them if it hurt. They'll say yes. Ask them, "then why did you do it?" "Because you told us to." "I'm not your boss. You should not do something that hurts if you know it would feel better to not. Listen to your body."

[teachinmamaof4]

Another idea is frozen water balloons.


When we took lamaze, they had dh's pinch the skin behind our arm. OUCH!

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula I saw this demonstrated at the Childbirth Class I attended last week... The instructor used a technique to simulate how to block out pain during contractions by having the couples all hold an ice cube in their fist tightly for the duration of an average contraction. Then she had them hold two ice cubes (one in each hand) for even longer, to simulate active labour contractions. She had them breathe through one contraction and use relaxation techniques, then not use any relaxation techniques at all for another contraction, so that the couples could all see the benefits of focus and relaxing during contractions. Excuse my muddled typing, it's 4am and I am having an episode of insomnia despite being extremely tired, lol! Anyways, I thought this might be something you other CBE's might find interesting and incorporate it or a close replica of it in your own classes (I have heard of other CBEs having the mamas partner squeeze/pinch her thigh above the knee to emphasize the same point).

I like to do this one to help families figure out what type of coping mechanisms they use. I first have them hold it and do nothing - just sit there very still. Then the second time around I let them do whatever they can to "cope" with the discomfort. Then based upon what mom does it can give a general idea of how she will cope. Will she visualize? Moan? Move? etc.

[MothertheMother]

Quote:

Originally Posted by teachinmamaof4 Another idea is frozen water balloons. When we took lamaze, they had dh's pinch the skin behind our arm. OUCH!

A twist to this is to use frozen breastmilk storage bags (though I would use water. You don't want to freak them out hahaha)...any way to introduce breastfeeding!!

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula I like to do this one to help families figure out what type of coping mechanisms they use. I first have them hold it and do nothing - just sit there very still. Then the second time around I let them do whatever they can to "cope" with the discomfort. Then based upon what mom does it can give a general idea of how she will cope. Will she visualize? Moan? Move? etc.

I do it this way for Doula Prenatals, too. I also ask them which one seemed shorter. Every time, they say the 2nd time...even though the first time was just feeling the ice for 60 sec., and the 2nd time was using comfort meaures/distraction/whatever that allowed them to cope for 90 sec.!

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori I do it this way for Doula Prenatals, too. I also ask them which one seemed shorter. Every time, they say the 2nd time...even though the first time was just feeling the ice for 60 sec., and the 2nd time was using comfort meaures/distraction/whatever that allowed them to cope for 90 sec.!

Oh you are so evil increasing the time LOL

[Matrescence]

I love it!

[DL]

It's fun!


...thanks, ladies...I've always wanted an excuse to use the seesaw smilies!

[Jackie7183]

I have used the ice demo during prenatals, but last week my husband and I were teasing each other and he pinched the skin on my wrist. I started breathing like I teach mom's to do and I couldnt even feel the pain. After he kept increasing the pinch, he said "that HAS to hurt". I explained that I was using the breathing techniques I used with clients and he thought that was pretty cool.

[InnerPeace]

I like the icecube idea. I will have to incorporate that into my prenatals.