Double Hip Squeeze...

aspiring_doula · 06-21-2007, 03:20 AM

I am new here and just browsing around. I have 5 kids, 2 of which I had a doula with (the last 2). Anyways, I wanted to share something that worked great for me when I was in labor. The double hip squeeze was awesome, especially when on all fours. The labor before that one, my doctor wouldn't let me move around, so my doula made use of a sheet, she wrapped it around my hips/lower back, then she held both ends and I guess mimicked the double-hip squeeze.

Both methods really helped me when I was in labor. Just thought I'd share

doula Michele · 06-21-2007, 08:25 AM

Most of my moms like it too... I have only had a couple who did not.

mum2mum · 06-21-2007, 11:36 AM

Hi guys,

wondering if you can help me out here.. Iv'e never been able to grasp this concept when studying with cbi the video link to this was down so i have never been able to fully conprehend this..

MyDreamDoula · 06-21-2007, 12:29 PM

My client yesterday LOVED the double hip squeeze. That was our main method of pain relief for her until she got her pain meds.

tlcdoula · 06-21-2007, 05:19 PM

I have to admit that I absolutely hate the double hip squeeze (as the person who has to do it). Unfortunately I find that I lose my strength very fast. I will teach it to dads, but in general I will not do it myself because I find that I shake very quickly and cannot sustain the pressure that the mamas need. I have tried doing it with my legs, but unfortunately most of the mamas are too tall for me since I am short

Am I the only one?

DL · 06-21-2007, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mum2mum

Hi guys,

wondering if you can help me out here.. Iv'e never been able to grasp this concept when studying with cbi the video link to this was down so i have never been able to fully conprehend this..

I'm sorry, but it's very hard for me to explain in writing. It's the kind of thing that one needs to be shown, IMO. This is one reason why I chose an in-person training workshop vs. distance, for learning techniques such as this and being able to have someone tell me if I'm doing it right or not. Do you personally know any doulas who could show you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

I have to admit that I absolutely hate the double hip squeeze (as the person who has to do it). Unfortunately I find that I lose my strength very fast. I will teach it to dads, but in general I will not do it myself because I find that I shake very quickly and cannot sustain the pressure that the mamas need. I have tried doing it with my legs, but unfortunately most of the mamas are too tall for me since I am short

Am I the only one?

Well, I don't particularly ENJOY doing it, but I have been told that I'm very good at it!

Of course, I do teach the dads and we often trade off back-and-forth. I've done it with my legs before, but I think I do it best with my hands (more targeted pressure). I'm short as well, so if I don't have a short momma, doing it with the legs is like I'm riding on her back! ...just another reason why I rarely use my legs for the double hip squeeze.

Kacy · 06-21-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mum2mum

Hi guys,

wondering if you can help me out here.. Iv'e never been able to grasp this concept when studying with cbi the video link to this was down so i have never been able to fully conprehend this..

Don't know if this'll help you at all, but here are some pictures and a description I found.

DL · 06-22-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacy

Don't know if this'll help you at all, but here are some pictures and a description I found.

Honestly, those photos look like they're doing it a bit high on the back. At least IME, all of my moms have wanted it a bit lower towards the crest of her hip than what they are showing, and that's how I learned it in training as well.

Of course, every mom is different in what feels best, but that looks pretty high up on the back to me.

tlcdoula · 06-22-2007, 07:30 AM

I agree with Lori on this one. Those photos do look like they are squeezing higher then where I go. It is almost like you are squeezing on their behind cheeks

- at least that is how I was taught.

mellonmellow · 06-22-2007, 09:10 AM

Thanks for the pics. But does anyone have a website where the double hip squeeze is explained in more detail?

DL · 06-22-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

I agree with Lori on this one. Those photos do look like they are squeezing higher then where I go. It is almost like you are squeezing on their behind cheeks

- at least that is how I was taught.

Exactly.

...and then squeeze in and up.

I found this description from www.mother-care.ca/hip.htm that sounds like what Michelle and I do (and how most other doulas I've seen do it): "Locate the mother's iliac crest on each side. Mentally picture a V from the crests to the coccyx. The spots for hand placement are below and outside the midline of each side of the V. Press in and upward at those spots during a contraction. Ask the mother how much pressure is best. An alternative is to press directly on the iliac crests in the same up and inward motion. Try both techniques and use the one mother feels is best for her." This description confirms that those photos are showing too-high-on-the-back placement for a standard double hip squeeze technique.

Kacy · 06-22-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori

This description confirms that those photos are showing too-high-on-the-back placement for a standard double hip squeeze technique.

I thought that looked a little high!

I hadn't seen it in action, though, so I thought I was mistaken.

DoulaCBE · 06-27-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

I have to admit that I absolutely hate the double hip squeeze (as the person who has to do it). Unfortunately I find that I lose my strength very fast. I will teach it to dads, but in general I will not do it myself because I find that I shake very quickly and cannot sustain the pressure that the mamas need. I have tried doing it with my legs, but unfortunately most of the mamas are too tall for me since I am short

Am I the only one?

I don't do it alone.
I use the partner or a nurse to press on one hip and I press in on the other, mom regulates us for pressure to even it out and we're set.

Using your body weight is the key, not your arms, but the weight of your body when doing it with 2 support people.

I can't do it at all with my knees, makes my pubic bone feel like it's gonna explode.

1stimestar · 06-27-2007, 01:16 AM

I do it with dads sometimes too. Some dads are good and we get it down pretty quickly but some dads just can not seem to get it with another person. So then we switch. I dislocated my pelvis in a car accident so can't do it with my legs either or it feels just like Angie describes!

shelldar · 07-02-2007, 12:46 AM

The other way I have been shown how to do this (by a chiro) is to have mum laying on her side. Needs to be a quite firm surface, bed will have too much give. Her back needs to be straight and knees bent just slightly. Then you can press down on one hip bone, and the floor gives the pressure on the other side. Its much easier to do on your own and you can use your body weight to press downwards instead of using arms to push sideways IYKWIM?