Birth and the power of touch

Touch is my primary tool as a  birth doula and aspiring midwife

Birth is hard. At times, it seems impossible. There is a point in labor where a woman can loose herself into this "alternate space". Constant touch is not necessary. Touch has its special moments in birth that are just as important and crucial as the empathetic look of love, the words of wisdom and encouragement, or the perfectly placed breath.

A touch can look like counter-pressure or a hip squeeze that helps a mother work through the most treacherous contractions. A touch can be a gentle massage that relieves a mother's perception of pain during those long hours of early labor. A touch often feels like a partner's hand holding the mother's head and sending all available love to her as she gently worked her baby down. A touch can be grounding when labor overtakes the moment. A touch can be the medication administered or the procedure that brings a baby into this world when the unexpected grabs your moment and changes your plans. A cold cloth on the mother's head, a gentle stroke down her tired face, or the counter-pressure that assists a tiny head into this world. A touch might look different for each person in the birth space, but it is always the un-wavering piece of her birth that shows the support and extreme love from her whole team.

As a doula and aspiring midwife, I tend to use my hands and oils as my main tools in a birth space. I walk through the birth with my parents and teach them them the power of touch so that they can use it themselves. The partner's touch is irreplaceable and one of the most important parts through a labor journey. I give the partner tools to use so that "helpless" or "lost" are never feelings that make their way into the birth room. I want my clients to feel surrounded by love and knowledge so that they can gracefully walk into parenthood. It is never my job to manage or control a birth space. I try to never be the primary support in a birth space. I want to be the wind beneath their wings and guide them through this spectacular time. And after all is said and done...... each of my families touch my heart deeply and change me as a care provider by the lessons I glean from their journeys.

If you are considering doula care or midwifery care and would like to find out more information about what Saddlepeak Birth can offer... please visit our website at www.saddlepeakbirth.com and write me a quick note. I can't wait to meet you and walk through this journey of parenthood with you.