Fetal station refers to the location of the baby’s presenting part within the pelvis. Knowing how far the baby has descended indicates a sign of progress and can help determine beneficial labor positions to encourage further descent. When baby is too high within the pelvis, they are not “engaged,” but are essentially floating in the pelvis. Upon vaginal exam, the baby’s head would be pushed away from the fingers. On the station scale, this would be -5 to -1 station. As baby becomes engaged, whether by time or positioning, they enter the level where the ischial spines mark the midpelvis at “0.” As baby moves further down the birth canal, the numbers become positive and each increase in level of station brings them closer to being born. A +5 station would mean the baby’s head is filling the vaginal canal and ready to be birthed.
Each fetal station number indicates about a centimeter of descent into the pelvis. When your provider is evaluating your cervix for dilation, they are also noting the station of the baby in additional to cervical ripeness and effacement. Be sure to ask your provider what station the baby is at at each cervical and exam. Keep in mind that the information provided from a cervical exam is subjective. There is a degree of variation between what each provider can “see” with their fingers. Having a general idea of fetal station can help your support team suggest the best labor positions to bring baby down.
Doula’s Don’t Deliver Babies! But They Do Help You Deliver Yours
“You’re like a midwife, right?” The question I often hear when people are digging through their mental filing cabinet trying to comprehend what role a doula plays at a birth. Actually, midwives, nurses, doctors, and doulas all play very unique roles in the labor room. What makes a doula unique is that they only work for you, the client, and not for the hospital or your provider. Doulas are going to be the support person by your side through your labor, something else that none of the other health providers listed above can provide.
Because your doula works just for you, they aren’t required to spend time filing out your patient file and leaving the room to check on other patients. Doulas stay by your side as well as give space when needed. They are excellent at reading the room and knowing what is needed in the moment. They also spend time with you prenatally and get to know what your birth intentions are as well as your preferred methods of comfort.
“How about my partner? Will their role be overshadowed by a doula?” Absolutely not! A doula is a support partner’s best friend. They work with them at prenatal meetings to help them feel confident in providing hands on support during labor. Doulas also help support partners with in the moment suggestions in labor as well as encouraging breaks when needed.
Birth Trauma for the Laboring Person :: Part I
How does it feel to look back at the birth of your child or children? For most laboring people, they describe this time as the most difficult thing they have experienced in their life. Perhaps they’ll include some specifics about the events that occurred depending on their comfort level with the listener or audience. A select population might even describe their experience as utter bliss. Each birth story is rather unique in the string of events that lead up to the birth of a baby and the time that follows. Sharing these birth stories with one another are powerful ways to connect, discover meaning, inform, normalize and heal.
Birth is a catastrophic event in a person’s life and changes them in some form, if not many. Whether we accept this reality or not depends on the courage to be vulnerable with ourselves and others. Many withhold sharing the truth of these stories for fear of judgement, shielding ourselves from reliving the experience, or guilt about not having a difficult labor. Opening ourselves up to be vulnerable with our stories sets us on the path to emotional healing. By forging these deep human connections through the sharing of raw honesty, the collective birth experience will begin to normalize.
While a healthy baby is of course what every birthing person, partner, family, and birth team hopes for, a healthy mother is just as important. When left fragile and broken from birth, we walk through parenthood and the rest of our lives with these shattered lenses. Take a moment to reflect on your birth stories. Do you edit the content for your listeners? Do you lock away certain events that even you don’t dare look at? Is there a sense of despair or shame that shadows that day?
We will begin a journey of self-reflection through a series of posts titled, Birth Trauma for the Laboring Person. The reader can slowly begin to shine a light into the dark corners of their past birth in hopes of feeling their way through the pain and discovering a way out.
Doula? But I’m having a Cesarean!
Preparing for labor often looks like a birthing person reading a slew of childbirth books, enrolling in childbirth education classes and hiring a doula. But what if the labor you had hoped for decidedly changed and now required a cesarean to bring your baby into the world? Would a doula be necessary? The answer is absolutely!
Having a planned cesarean doesn’t mean all your options go out the window. It also doesn’t have to rob you of an inclusive birth experience. A doula can help prepare families for cesarean surgeries and educate them about their options. This allows families to work together with their birth team and care providers to create a gentle experience.
Breathing and relaxation techniques come in handy for cesareans as well! A doula will provide a calming presence at the birth and prepare families so they feel confident and focused. These tools can also be helpful for emotional and physical recovery postpartum.
Approximately 45% of babies will require some time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) after delivery. Having extra support allows someone to stay with the birthing person post-op while their partner remains with baby. This is greatly helpful for someone coming out of surgery while also processing any possible complications with baby.
A doula can assist the birthing parent in lactation support after surgery. When they feel ready, a doula can guide the parent to establish a positive feeding experience. They can identify feeding cues, assist with latching, pumping, and hand expression. Having this support helps the parent feel confident and relaxed in order to establish a positive feeding relationship.
After delivery, the birthing parent may have a lot to process emotionally about the event while healing physically. Challenges may be present that require the assistance from professionals such as counselors, pelvic floor therapists, lactation counselors, group support, postpartum doulas and more. Working closely with a birth doula can help recognize if additional support is needed and provide local resources.
Whether a baby is born vaginally or through the sunroof, a doula can assist the family so they are prepared, educated, have a healthy bonding experience and a supported recovery.