FROM THE BEGINNING,

CHILDBIRTH WAS A BLESSING AND A

GIFT FROM A GOOD & LOVING GOD.

God’s heart for birth

The gift of bearing children was a blessing!

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase

in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” –Genesis 1:28

What happened at the fall?

! God cursed the serpent & the ground - not Adam & Eve.

But there were consequences for them:

Eve: “I will greatly increase your “esteb” in childbearing, with “esteb” you will give birth to children…” Genesis 3:17

Adam: “Cursed is the ground because of you; through “esteb” you will eat of it all the days of your life…”

The Hebrew word “esteb”

! From Strong’s Concordance – “pain (usually a mental pain like anxiety & worrisomeness), hurt, toil, sorrow, labor, hardship

! Out of 7 places used in scripture, only translated as pain in Genesis 3. The rest of the time it’s translated as toil, labor, & sorrow.

Examples of “esteb” in other Scriptures

! “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2

! “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23

Controversy over how to translate Genesis 3

! Greek translations 300 years before Christ translate “esteb” as “lupe” which refers to an emotion of sorrow or anxiety

! KJV translates it as “sorrow” for both man & woman ! NIV translates it as “pain” for both ! Revised NIV (2011) – “severe pain” for woman ! Living Bible – “intense pain & suffering” for woman,

but “struggle & sweat for man” ! New English Bible – “labor” for both man & woman

Why has it morphed over time?

! Translators are influenced by the attitudes of the culture they live in. As attitudes toward

childbirth changed, so did their interpretation of these verses.

A Little History

! Hebrew culture saw childbirth as a blessing, a gift, and an event of great joy.

! 200’s & 300’s – In an overreaction to Roman immorality, the early church saw sexual intercourse even in marriage as “lust” and “sinful.” Childbirth is the “curse of Eve” – only a virgin can escape it.

! 1540 – First time Genesis 3:16 is translated as “pain” instead of “sorrow.” - Puerpal fever outbreak

More History

! 1600’s – pain in childbirth became part of church doctrine. Calvanistic & Puritan movements rejected anything pleasant to senses (including sex & birth)

! 1800’s – Church opposed pain relief for woman because her cries of pain pleased the ears of God.

! Only in recent decades is the church embracing sex & childbirth as blessings and gifts from God to be enjoyed. – Dick Read in 1944 helped a lot with “Childbirth without Fear” book.

Conclusion

! Childbirth is a gift from a good and loving God – a gift to be treasured and enjoyed!

! Yes it is hard work and there may be emotional and physical pain the process, but that is not the focus or intent of God’s heart.

1 Timothy 2:15

! “Women will be saved in childbearing”

! Saved is the word “sozo”

! “She will be kept safe & sound – rescued from danger, injury, peril, and disease – and made well and restored to health in childbearing.”

! Women will receive “sozo” through childbearing!

Renewing your Mind

! What we think affects our body (lemon)

! Soaking in the Scriptures (ask God for a scripture for your birth)

! The way you speak about your upcoming birth

! Birth Declarations

! Worrying With God

Different Kingdom Perspectives on Birth

! Supernatural Childbirth – Jackie Mize ! God’s Plan for Pregnancy – Nerida Walker

! Redeemed from the curse of the law– all pain is under the curse. Stand on the Scriptures & rebuke fear & pain.

! The Joy of Natural Childbirth – Helen Wessel ! Pain in Childbearing was never part of the curse. If you are fully

relaxed, it shouldn’t be painful.

! Childbirth in the Glory – Angela Mills ! Scriptures and declarations for a supernatural, glorious

pregnancy and birth

We need both Faith & Hope

! Faith is believing for something specific.

! Hope is the safety net that catches you if you don’t receive what you had faith for. Hope is so confident in the goodness of God breaking into the situation that it says, “Wow, if that didn’t happen, then God must have something even better in store. I can’t wait to see what He does!”

Testimonies!

! Pain-Free

! Heavenly

! Encounters with Jesus

! Supernatural Car-ride

I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY & WONDERFULLY MADE

The Labor Process

A Little Anatomy

! Amniotic Sac (breaks at any time during labor) ! Uterus ! Cervix ! What a contraction is ! Umbilical Cord

Prelabor

! May or may not feel practice contractions – may last days or weeks

! Prelabor contractions come and go, but don’t consistently get stronger or closer together.

! Cervix moves forward, softens, and effaces – all of which must happen in order for it to dilate.

! May lose mucus plug

Early Labor

! Cervix dilates to 4-5 cm ! Ignore contractions until body no longer lets you ! Rest if you’re tired or its nighttime, otherwise keep busy with

activities that are fun, calming, distracting ! Some ideas: take a long shower, go on a walk, visit with

friends, play games, watch a movie, bake cookies, have a massage

! Once activities are no longer fun, start using relaxation techniques

! Partners: get everything ready to leave, make sure you have gas, tidy house, follow her lead

Active Labor

! Cervix dilates to 8 cm ! Contractions usually reach 4-1-1 or 5-1-1 pattern ! Usually time to go to birth place or call midwife ! Contractions require your full attention to manage ! Empty your bladder every hour or so ! Stay hydrated ! Change positions every 20-30 min ! Partners: match her mood – may want touch &

encouragement, or just your silent presence

Transition

! Cervix completely dilates to 10 cm ! Baby is beginning to descend into birth canal ! Contractions are longer and closer together (90 sec – 2

minutes) ! Emotions & physical sensations very intense ! High levels of adrenaline – may cause fear, nausea,

vomiting, agitation, hot flashes, chills, trembling ! Often lasts less than 1 hour (5-20 contractions) ! Partner – help her keep a rhythm, take charge routine – eye

contact & breathe with her

Pushing

! You will start to feel the urge to push ! Caregiver will check to make sure you are fully dilated

and it’s ok to push ! Pain of contractions lessons, you have more rest in

between them, and you can think clearly again and regain your energy

! For many women, it’s the most satisfying part of giving birth

Spontaneous & Directed Pushing

! Spontaneous Pushing – Push when you have the urge for 5-6 seconds, take a few breaths, then push again. Allows oxygen to reach uterus and prevents tearing.

! Picture baby moving down and out. Picture everything opening like a flower.

! Hold breath and bear down when you can’t resist the urge. Grunt, vocalize, whatever feels best. Relax pelvic floor.

! Directed pushing – may be needed if you can’t feel your contractions, or spontaneous pushing isn’t working. It’s often harder on your body and baby.

Pushing Positions

! Use whatever position feels best – be willing to change positions every 20-30 min.

! If rapid descent, use a neutral position like side-lying. ! If slow descent, use a position that uses gravity like

squatting. ! If having trouble letting go, try sitting on the toilet ! Relax pelvic floor & relax face and jaw

Crowning & Birth

! Crowning – the head no longer retreats from the vaginal opening between pushes

! Vaginal opening stretches to its max, causing a stinging, burning feeling

! May need to stop or slow pushing to allow vagina to gradually stretch around baby’s head to prevent tearing

! Baby’s body may appear blue at first, streaked with blood, mucus, vernix – but after first breath, skin color quickly becomes normal

! Skin to Skin right away ☺

3rd Stage of Labor: Delivery of Placenta

! Usually happens within 10-30 minutes of baby being born

! Contractions stop briefly & then resume to separate placenta from uterine wall

! Less intense, but still may need to use relaxation techniques (especially in 2nd babies)

Length of Labor

! 1st time moms – average length of labor is 12.5 hours. For 2nd time moms, usually half that amount.

! Precipitous (very fast) ! If baby comes before caregiver arrives

! Slow labor

Hormones of Birth

Oxytocin – the Hormone you release in your best

! Sharing a meal ! Falling in Love ! Having an orgasm ! Breastfeeding ! Brings Contractions ! Highest it will ever be in your life between delivery of

baby & placenta

How to increase oxytocin during labor

! A sense of safety & privacy ! Feeling loved ! Touch ! Massage ! Kissing ! Caressing ! Laughter

Endorphins

! Body’s natural Pain Relief ! Natural Opiate ! Reduces effects of stress ! Feelings of pleasure, euphoria ! Levels gradually increase as contractions increase ! Help you transcend pain and enter your “birth zone”

Stress Hormones (catecholamines)

! Counteract oxytocin & slow contractions, prolonging labor

! Cannot produce both oxytocin & stress hormones at the same time.

! Things that increase stress hormones: ! Anxiety ! Fear ! Decision Making ! Frequent disturbances ! Feeling watched or judged

Pain in Labor

! Increased by stress hormones – they cut off oxygen to your organs & uterus causing lactic acid buildup

! Other causes of pain in labor: ! Stretching muscles ! Pressure of baby on nerves, bladder, muscles ! Emotional and physical tension

! Some pain in labor can be purposeful ! Signal her to change positions

Your Perception of Pain

! Things that decrease your perception of pain: Any pleasure sensations (they travel faster to your brain).

! Things that increase your perception of pain: ! Hunger or thirst ! Fatigue ! Muscle tension ! Full bladder ! Lack of confidence ! Feeling powerless to make decisions

Pain vs. Suffering

! Pain – an unpleasant physical sensation

! Suffering – a debilitating emotional state. In labor, can include a sense of helplessness, loss of control, distress, inability to cope, or fear

You can have pain without suffering!

! Example: when you’re working out ! During labor, if a woman has great support & positive

stimuli and feels confident, cared for and empowered, she can experience pain without a sense of suffering.

! Partner & birth team’s job is to partner with Holy Spirit to make sure she doesn’t suffer.

! Can ask questions if unsure – “Is that sound helping you cope, or are you suffering?”

Pain Pie

Perception of Pain

PainKnowledgeRelaxationMovementDoula/PartnerPresence of God

Comfort Measures

F I N D T H E S H E E T I N Y O U R N O T E S T O F I L L O U T

Creating your Atmosphere

Heat & Cold

! Baths ! Make sure water says around your body temp (98-99 degrees) ! Baths often slow labor in early labor & speed it up in active

labor ! Showers

! Note: turn up the temp on your hot water heater in advance ! Heat: electric heating pad, rice sock, hot washcloth –

apply to lower back, abdomen, or perineum. ! Cold: cool, wet cloth, frozen peas, cold can of soda

Massage, Touch, & Positions

Massage & Touch

! One of the best ways to divert attention away from labor.

! Firm or light strokes on your neck, shoulders, back, feet, or hands

! Someone presses firmly on a tense area ! Tightly embrace your partner ! Lightly stroke your belly ! Crisscross massage over your back

Counterpressure

! Partner – use your fist or heel of your hand to steadily push

! On back: press on lower back using as much pressure as she wants. Press during contraction & then rest or massage area in between contractions

! Double Hip Squeeze – Partner press the roundest part of each buttocks with your palms. Apply steady pressure – press hips together. Can also use knees if hands are tired.

Connection Between Partners

! Kissing, eye contact, caressing, hand holding ! All of these things release oxytocin & natural

endorphins ! Brings blood flow to her lower region which opens

her up. ! Helps contractions feel better, keeps her from

tearing, can lead to orgasm

Breathing & Relaxatiom

Breathing

! Relaxes your body, gives you something to focus on, and supplies oxygen to uterus & baby

! Slow breathing – begin using when you can’t walk, talk, or be distracted through contractions.

! Welcoming breath – breathe in with gratitude, not resistance

! Relax all muscles as you slowly breathe throughout contraction

! Cleansing breath at the end of contraction, sighing away all the discomfort

Light Breathing

! Begin using when you strain to keep your breathing slow at peak of contraction

! Welcoming breath – can be quick inhale, and then go limp as you fully exhale

! Short, shallow breaths throughout contraction ! Can chant (he, he, who), (1,2,3, Ben) ! As contraction ends, use last exhale to sigh the

contraction away

Relaxation & Tension Release

! Relaxation is the art of recognizing & releasing muscle tension. It’s the key to finding comfort during labor!

! If you don’t consciously relax your muscles during a contraction, you’ll probably unconsciously tense them.

! Anyone can learn to relax with practice. Practice first in calm environments & then in louder, active areas.

Relaxation Practice

! Practice with the Holy Spirit Relaxation recording

! Practice with an ice cube

! The goal is to go completely limp at a moment’s notice

Interventions & Birth Plan

Induction

! Trust your baby & body to know the right time ! Induction causes more medicalized birth because of

interventions, more likely to have a c-section. ! But sometimes it’s medically necessary ! Natural Methods of induction ! Medical Induction: Pitocin, breaking water, cervidil

Epidurals & Narcotics

! Can decrease pain, but also prolong labor & increase likelihood of other interventions & have some negative side effects.

! Can speed up labor if it’s been days and you are exhausted. Gives you a chance to rest and regain strength.

! Good idea to have a code word to use if you decide you want an epidural

! God shows up in all types of labor ☺.

Informed Consent

! By law, it’s your legal right to play a central role in making decisions for your baby.

! Your caregiver cannot give you medical treatment if you haven’t been sufficiently informed about the treatment, or if you refuse.

Questions to ask…

! What are the benefits to this treatment? How is it done? How likely is it to work?

! What are the possible risks for my baby or me? Are there disadvantages to this treatment such as additional procedures or precautions that will be necessary?

! What other options are available? What are their risks and benefits?

! Can I delay the treatment or choose not to do it? ! What will we do afterward if the treatment works?

Birth Preference Sheet

! Keep to one page (great to print on colored paper so it stands out)

! A picture of you as a couple with a small intro on yourselves is a great way to make it personal.

! Try to be friendly and make them feel included in a special event, not just a list of orders for them to follow.

! Review it w/caregiver ahead of time

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Things to include:

! Practical info: names, due dates, caregiver, who you would like at the birth with you

! One sentence introducing yourselves ! Any specific fears or concerns you have ! Preferences for managing labor pain ! Preferences for normal labor & birth ! Preferences for unexpected events & C-section ! Preferences for healthy newborn care

Postpartum & Newborn Care

Newborn Care

! Skin to Skin as soon as possible

! Breastfeed in the first hour

! Great to delay cord clamping if possible

! Covered in vernix – no need to wash it off – can rub into skin – good for them. Protects from infections, moisturizing

Newborn Tests & Procedures

! Vitamin K Shot – help prevent blood clotting ! Hep B shot ! Newborn eye care – help prevent infection if exposed to

gonorrhea or Chlamydia in birth canal ! Newborn hearing screening ! Newborn screening – blood drawn from heel before 1

week old ! Research pros & cons to decide which tests you want.

Breastfeeding

! Breastfed babies have fewer infections, allergies, and digestive issues

! Reduces mom’s risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoperosis

! Partners, it can be exhausting and frustrating, so do whatever you can to encourage her and help the breastfeeding process. ! Bring her snacks ! Burp baby in between switching sides ! Sit behind her and let her lean against you so the three of you

get to bond ! Praise and thank her for her hard work

Taking Care of You!

! Rest & Sleep are so important!

! Give yourself permission to stay in pajamas and keep resting until you get the amount of sleep you need.

! Most important thing for your family and baby is to have you happy, healthy, and rested – so let the housework go for a while.

Visitors

! Control Visitors – ask them to help. If you don’t feel comfortable asking them for help, they aren’t close enough to be visiting yet.

! Can place a sign on the door asking visitors to help with one chore before leaving

Partners – How to Help

! What NOT to do

! What TO do

The End

Thanks!