Patti Ramos - Ice Journey?

Tiffany · 08-11-2005, 09:16 PM

Kim's post in the Rebozo thread contained a link to Patti Ramos's website and I saw her page on The Birth Preparation Workshop. There are a few pictures and some tidbits of information about something she does, called the "Ice Journey" within that workshop.

I am really interested in learning more about what is done, does anyone know?

I've been sitting here trying to figure it out through the pictures and the testimonials on her site, but I really have no idea. Sounds neat though!

Kim Trower · 08-12-2005, 12:03 AM

it is a journey for couples...the women blind fold the men first and lead them on a walk, when they return the men hold ice in their hands (supposed to symbolize the trust and pain aspects of labor) the women do different things to help them cope when they have the ice in their hand. Then they switch...It is a role play activity for couples to connect and see what is needed for the "real thing"...an act of trust and an act of preparation

Tiffany · 08-12-2005, 12:12 AM

That's great! I wonder if something like this could be applied to help women without partners prepare for labor. I have a client coming up where I will be her sole support and I want to truly prepare her as best I can. I'm going to have to get creative.

Thanks for the explanation, Kim.

Kim Trower · 08-12-2005, 12:37 AM

yes it can...when I taught CBE classes I would do Labor Rehearsal...I would tape up the position I wanted them to practice (squat, hands and knees, dancing/swaying with partner, walking, etc.)..then give suggestion for what partner should do (counter pressure, verbal encouragement, light touch massage, etc)...partners had to remember to give a sip of water between each "contraction", and rotate through the stations...when ctx started moms had to hold the ice in their hand...
another good one is doing a short relaxation...one with lights on, no music but some distracting noise (tv on or something) and ice in hand asking mom questions and doing nothing for comfort...then 2nd with music, slow low voice leading a guided imagery or something, having partners do something to help and then discussin the difference and how that can relate to dealing with pain in labor...
gosh usually I am not this talkative on lists but lately this one has struck up my chatty side...ha ha.

Tiffany · 08-12-2005, 02:12 AM

Oh Kim, I'm so GLAD it's struck your chatty side--you have provided so much useful information. Thank you SO much. You are inspiring and motiving me to put some effort into becoming a childbirth educator!

1stimestar · 08-12-2005, 02:33 PM

Another way I use ice in prenatals. I have the couple hold a handful of ice. You know after a while it hurts. I don't say anything other then to instruct them to hold the ice as long as possible. They assume that they are supposed to use their pain coping techniques to get through it. The real lesson however is, why did they hold it if it hurt? Because I told them to? Who am I? If something hurts, don't do it. IE change positions etc.

susan1 · 11-15-2005, 04:31 PM

Can some one give me a step by step on the ice journey? I would like to try with my clients.

Thanks
Susan

tlcdoula · 11-15-2005, 09:08 PM

You can also use ice to try and figure out what type of "coper" (is that a word? LOL) the mom is. You have her hold the ice and do nothing the first time around and then the second time around you have her do what feels natural. Some women will pace, others will concentrate on something, others will listen to something, etc. It can help recognize whether they are auditory, kinesthetic, visual, etc. This can be helpful to know when they are in labor so that you are helping them cope to the way they do this naturally.

Hope that makes sense

heathenmamaof5 · 11-16-2005, 01:02 AM

Wow! You guys are so awesome!

Jill

motherwise · 02-15-2006, 01:00 PM

Anyone familiar with Birthing from Within, or BFW classes? I HIGHLY recommend auditing a series. the BFW book talks about things to practice with ice..I recommend the DOULA practice these techniques also.

dynamicdoula · 02-25-2006, 08:05 PM

I teach BFW style classes and I am in the certification process to be a Childbirth Mentor for BFW.

It's an amazing program!

BFW uses ice to practice pain coping techniques like many classes do. We start out by having the couples hold the ice and really just FEEL it. Then we teach them a few different ways to cope, and we practice them in class. BFW has a major focus on pain coping so this takes up a good portion of the class. I love Patti and have heard great things about her Ice Journey (I had a client who took her class and loved that aspect). I would like to incorporate something similar in my classes. I also REALLY love the other suggestion of telling people to hold ice and bringing them back to, "Who am I? Why would you do something that hurts?"

I'm not giving the pain coping practice nearly enough shine here but I'm too tired to delve into it right now. LOL Typing with one eye open is rarely ever truly coherent!