Explain BirthingBetter Internal Work
The BirthingBetter approach emphasizes learning skills to actively participate in the birthing process, regardless of the circumstances. BirthingBetter Internal Work is a specific set of skills focused on preparing the birthing person’s inner pelvic space for labor and birth.
Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of BirthingBetter Internal Work:
Goals of Internal Work:
- Reduce potential trauma: Aims to minimize tearing and bruising in the birthing person’s tissues and reduce potential trauma for the baby during the second stage of labor (pushing).
- Easier and safer second stage: By creating more space and pliability, it can facilitate a smoother passage for the baby.
- Self-assessment: Helps the birthing person become more aware of their internal space and how it changes during labor.
Who Does the Internal Work:
- The birthing person: They can learn to do this themselves using their thumbs.
- Their partner: If chosen, the partner can assist using their middle finger. BirthingBetter emphasizes the partner’s active role in learning and supporting the birthing process.
How Internal Work is Done:
The core of the Internal Work involves gentle, circular massage of the internal tissues of the vagina and perineum.
- Focus on gentle touch: It’s crucial that any touch is very gentle and not related to sexual activity.
- Identifying tender spots: The goal is to find areas of internal tension.
- Circular massage: Gently massage these areas to encourage softening and opening.
- Partner’s technique: The partner typically uses their middle finger for the internal massage.
- Birthing person’s technique: The birthing person can use their thumbs, one at a time, to reach different parts of their internal space.
Important Considerations for Partners:
- Gentleness: Always maintain a very gentle touch.
- Positioning: Sit beside the birthing person.
- Hygiene: Ensure hands are clean.
- Lubrication: A small amount of oil can be used if needed.
- Slow movements: Proceed slowly and with clear communication.
Tips for the Birthing Person:
- Thumb positioning: Facing the right thumb towards the left side can make it easier to work on the left internal tissues, and vice versa.
- Reaching different areas: Using each thumb individually helps to access the bottom, back, and sides of the internal space.
- Comfortable positions: Sitting on a toilet or birth stool or raising one leg can provide better access.
- Outer massage: The index finger can be used to gently massage the outer tissues and move side to side.
The Philosophy Behind Internal Work:
BirthingBetter views birth as an active process (“something you do, not just something that happens to you”). The Internal Work empowers the birthing person and their partner to actively prepare the body for birth, fostering a sense of control and potentially reducing fear and pain. It encourages an understanding of the intimate relationship between the birthing person’s body opening and the baby’s movement.
In essence, BirthingBetter Internal Work provides practical, hands-on skills to prepare the birth canal, aiming for a more comfortable and less traumatic birthing experience for both the birthing person and the baby.