BirthingBetter Internal Work
BirthingBetter Internal Work refers to a set of skills and techniques within the Birthing Better® with The Pink Kit Method that focus on consciously working with the internal tissues and muscles of the birthing person’s body, particularly the cervix, vagina, and pelvic floor. The goal is to promote softening, stretching, and flexibility in these areas to facilitate the baby’s descent during labor and birth.
Unlike external body skills like positioning and movement, Internal Work is about developing an internal awareness and actively influencing the tissues that will directly be involved in the baby’s passage.
Key Principles of BirthingBetter Internal Work:
- Active Participation: It emphasizes the birthing person’s active role in preparing and working with their internal tissues. It’s not just about waiting for the body to do it on its own.
- Gentle and Gradual Preparation: Internal Work often involves gentle and progressive techniques that can be started in the weeks leading up to birth and continued during labor.
- Body Awareness: A crucial aspect is developing a deeper awareness of the internal sensations and the state of the cervix, vagina, and pelvic floor.
- Working with Sensations: During labor, Internal Work involves using breath, focus, and gentle movements to work with the sensations of contractions, rather than against them, to encourage opening and softening.
- Partner Support: The partner can play a supportive role in guiding and encouraging the birthing person during Internal Work.
Specific Techniques and Concepts within BirthingBetter Internal Work:
- Perineal Stretching and Massage: While often discussed separately, BirthingBetter integrates this as a form of proactive Internal Work to increase the elasticity of the perineal tissues, potentially reducing the risk of tearing during birth.
- Cervical Softening and Opening: This involves using breath, visualization, and focused intention to encourage the cervix to soften, thin (efface), and open (dilate). This isn’t about forcefully trying to open the cervix, but rather creating an internal environment conducive to its natural progression.
- Pelvic Floor Awareness and Relaxation: Learning to consciously relax and release the muscles of the pelvic floor is a key aspect of Internal Work. Tension in this area can hinder the baby’s descent. BirthingBetter teaches techniques to identify and release this tension.
- Working with Contractions Internally: Instead of just experiencing contractions externally, Internal Work involves focusing on what’s happening inside the body during a contraction – the tightening and then the potential for softening and opening as it releases.
- Using Breath to Create Space: Directed breathing, as taught in BirthingBetter, is a vital tool for Internal Work. Inhaling can be used to create a sense of internal expansion, while exhaling can promote softening and release.
- Visualization and Mental Imagery: Using mental images of the cervix opening like a flower or the pelvic floor softening can be a powerful tool to influence the body’s physical processes.
- Gentle Internal Touch (Optional and with Caution): In some cases, and with proper guidance and hygiene, gentle internal touch by the birthing person or their partner might be used to increase awareness and promote softening. However, BirthingBetter emphasizes a cautious and respectful approach to this.
Benefits of Engaging in BirthingBetter Internal Work:
- Potentially Easier and More Comfortable Labor: By promoting softening and flexibility, Internal Work can help the baby descend more smoothly.
- Reduced Risk of Tearing: Perineal stretching and massage can increase tissue elasticity.
- Increased Body Awareness: It fosters a deeper connection with the birthing body and its processes.
- Enhanced Sense of Agency: Actively working with the body internally can increase the birthing person’s sense of control and participation in the birth.
- Working in Harmony with Contractions: Instead of fighting against contractions, Internal Work encourages working with them to facilitate progress.
- Complementary to External Skills: Internal Work enhances the effectiveness of other BirthingBetter skills like positioning and movement.
Important Considerations:
- Gentleness and Respect: Internal Work should always be approached with gentleness and respect for the body. Force should never be used.
- Hygiene: If any internal touch is involved, strict hygiene practices are essential.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and stop if anything feels uncomfortable or painful.
- Guidance and Education: Learning these techniques through a BirthingBetter resource or instructor is recommended to ensure proper understanding and application.
In summary, BirthingBetter Internal Work is a proactive and empowering approach that encourages the birthing person to develop an internal awareness and utilize specific skills to promote the softening, stretching, and opening of the tissues involved in childbirth. It’s about actively working with the body’s natural processes from the inside out.