If you can follow me on this one

[MindOverLaborDoulas]

It is going to sound tricky, but it is very simple! I do this with every single client and it makes it seem to the client that I am the "cream of the crop" (as a past client said!! )
Have the mother make her hand into a fist w/ her pinky down and her thumb and pointer up, this is her "cervix". Doula take your pointer finger and tell client that it is the baby. Put your finger into the "hole" that her fist is making. Now, tell the client that you are going to get through her "cervix" one way or another and ask her how badly she wants it to hurt (in a nice way )
Everytime... the client will relax her fist so that your finger will fit through easily. I tell everyone that if they can remember (I also remind them during labor) this trick, then they just need to imagine this happening to their body to open up and relax and the baby will go through much smoother.
*Did that make sense the way I explained the fist thing?*
Ashley

[DL]

Wow....no offense, but that is so basic! ....and it's often these basic things that we most often never think of on our own!! Thanks so much for sharing this, Ashley! I will definitely try this with my next client! It makes perfect sense, and so easy for a momma to perfectly understand by using a part of her own body.

[Matrescence]

What a cool idea!! Thanks for sharing

[fearlessbirth]

That's a GREAT idea. It's sometimes these 'basic' things that I never think of. Lol I'm going to try it. Lol And if I don't get my finger baby through I'll know we need to work on some relaxation. Lol

[1stimestar]

Lol nice! Ok so while I was doing this to myself, I also noticed another thing. Notice how your finger wiggles through? Notice how it moves your fist? Perhaps pointing this out will help her see why it is important to change positions also.

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar ...Notice how your finger wiggles through? Notice how it moves your fist? Perhaps pointing this out will help her see why it is important to change positions also.

Oh, good thinking, Georganne!!!

[AbornDoula]

Ashley,
That is so interesting. I will have to try that with my next client.
Tara

[MindOverLaborDoulas]

Yay.. Tara joined!!

Ash