Tag: Pittsburgh birth doula

Spread Your Lips for a Better Birth

August 15, 2013
Posted by Sharon
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I have a prediction that this may become one of my most popular blog posts.  Just wanted to put that out there right from the start.

Ina May Gaskin has noted that:

Early in my midwifery career, I observed another fascinating relationship pertaining to the Law of the Sphincter.  I noticed a strong connection between the sphincters of the mouth/throat and those of the cervix and yoni.  A relaxed mouth means a more elastic cervix.  Women whose mouths and throats are open and relaxed during labor and birth rarely need stitches after childbirth. (Gaskin, pg. 178)

Research now shows that what Ina May Gaskin observed is also supported by actual anatomical features of the mouth and cervix.(As of 4.16.16 it has come to my attention that this link no longer works.)

Cervix and vocal fold tissue behave similarly in smear tests.

Vocal Folds

Vocal Folds

 

Cervix

Cervix

So mamma, what can you do to keep all your lips relaxed from your mouth to your perineum?

1. Keep people with you in labor who can help you laugh, remind you to sing and chant and keep your face as relaxed as possible.  Now, anyone who has been in labor or attended to a woman in labor knows that demanding that someone “relax your mouth” is not only ineffective, but it is not respectful.  The best thing to do is help the laboring woman remember by doing a mouth relaxation exercise yourself where she can clearly see you.  Watching YOU relax YOUR mouth will remind her to do the same.

2. “Horse Lips”—-flutter the lips on your mouth during contractions.  It not only helps regulate breath and manage pain, but it is kind of hilarious and fun too.  Practice when you are relaxed and in private while pregnant and you will automatically do it while in labor.  It may feel silly when you aren’t in labor, but you will reach for this amazing trick when the going starts to get strong during labor without question.

3. Sounding: The seed syllable to chant for the navel center is RAM.  Sit in your strength during labor or stand or dance and chant RAM deep from the basin of your pelvis.  In order to pronounce the “RA” part of the chant you have to make an open oval of your mouth.  Then, when you go to close your mouth to “M” you hum a bit and the vibration relaxes your lips, tongue, mouth and whole face.

4. Did I mention laughing?  Sure, if you’ve never been in labor you might be thinking that I’m one of those folks that insists that labor doesn’t hurt (OK–I KNOW that some people have orgasmic births and some never feel pain, but that isn’t my personal experience and I don’t think you should count on it for your experience.)  But, it is FUN!  You are having a baby and not a train wreck after all.  Let your support team plan to keep things light and smile at you often so you can remember to smile back.

5. Kissing?  I’ve got to be honest with you here.  Personally, I get super sensitive about my personal space while I’m in labor.  The idea of someone blocking my precious airways with their mouth by kissing me and being all up in my face and my space was not attractive.  Not in the least.  But, you know, if you feel like kissing while you are in labor, it definitely wouldn’t hurt.  And, well, it’s really your last chance to make-out and not have to worry about getting pregnant for a while……..so, might as well live it up!

To summarize, it’s important to keep your mouth open and relaxed so your perineum and cervix will relax and open to make way for baby.  You can do this effectively by singing, laughing, kissing, fluttering your lips with “horse lips” and sounding deeply from the basin of your belly or chanting RAM or OM if you are open to these sounds.

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Want to know how prenatal yoga can help you feel great during pregnancy and help you prepare for birth?  CLICK HERE

 

Did you super love these fascinating labor tips and information on the anatomy of labor and birth?  Well, join me for regular updates and be the first to see articles and find out about FREE pregnancy and postpartum events!

 

RESOURCES:

Ina May Gaskin
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth.

Cervical and Vocal Fold Study

Beautiful Cervix Project

 

This post was written by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk, MA, E-RYT, DONA Trained Birth Doula and mamma to two lovely littles.  I’m based in Pittsburgh, but due to the incredible power of the internet, I work with expectant moms and their partners all over the world to prepare for birth.  You can call me for a free phone consultation (412) 855-5692 OR send an e-mail: sharon@yogamatrika.com.  I’d be so honored to be a part of your pregnancy and birth!  https://www.yogamatrika.com

Birth Doula Services

August 14, 2013
Posted by Sharon
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Please note that this is an older blog post from two-years ago.  I am not currently taking birth doula clients. I recommend:

 

  1. Shining Light Doulas
  2. Ola Olabasi, Ola’s Herbs

I am able to offer birth and postpartum doula services in the City of Pittsburgh to a limited number of women and families each year.  I give priority to my prenatal yoga, birth and coaching students and clients who wish to invite me to support them during their birth and the weeks after their birth.  It is such an honor and joy to provide continuity of care.  I also consider attending births for women that may need or desire either a doula with Mandarin Chinese language skills, yoga and meditation based pain management techniques or who are planning a family-centered cesarean birth.  I primarily prefer to attend hospital or birth center births.

For postpartum care I can work with families that reside within the City of Pittsburgh only and am not available for overnights.

As I am only able to accept a small number of births to attend each year, it is very important for you to call me as soon as possible to reserve your birth month: 412-855-5692

If I am not available to reserve for your birth or postpartum period, I will always return your call and we can talk about other options.

Insurance and Flexible Spending Account Coverage

Some insurance companies cover doula services.

You may also submit receipts to your medical expense FSA (flexible spending account) to help reduce your costs. Local doula clients have been reimbursed by all known flexible spending accounts.

Doula services are also tax deductible.

How to get Reimbursed for Doula Services

1. Pay your doula in full for her services.

2. Get a receipt from your doula. The receipt will include the following information:

  • the doula’s identifying information
  • the diagnosis code (V22.2, intrauterine pregnancy)
  • the CPT code (99499, Evaluation and Management Services – Labor Support)
  • the date and location services were provided
  • the mother’s name
  • total charge for services
  • dates and amounts of payments
  • payment method

3. Submit the receipt with a claim form to your insurance or flexible spending account company’s claims department.

4. Within a month, you should receive a response. If you receive a letter denying the claim, do not be discouraged. Prepare a new packet to resubmit to your insurance company for a secondary review, and copy everything in the packet to the insurance company’s CEO explaining why you feel services should be covered (and be sure to point out how much money the insurance company saved because of the services your doula provided). In this re-submission packet, you should include the following:

5. Be persistent. If your claim is denied upon your initial request, call and ask why. If they refer you to your policy, ask them to specify exactly what clause and what wording in your policy excludes doula services.

6. Whether you are reimbursed or not, please tell your doula what kind of response you got from your insurance company. Each time someone requests reimbursement, it tells the insurance companies that this is an important service. Since doulas save insurance companies money, they may consider requests more carefully in future. If you are reimbursed, this is good news for doulas and we always want to know!

[Thank you to the Corvallis Doula Network for providing this very informative process for obtaining insurance reimbursement for doula services and for reminding us that it is important to pursue reimbursement even if you don’t think that you are covered for this service.  Your attempt to obtain reimbursement sends a very important message to your insurance company that you would like them to make the health of women and children a priority.]