I recently attended a workshop by a dear colleague focused on key movements to prepare the body for birth. In this workshop she put forth the idea that birth is first a foremost a bio-mechanical process, not a hormonal one.
"Hmmm, interesting." I thought. We always talk about the hormonal blueprint being the key to labor progression. That we need the mixture of oxytocin, and relaxing plus a few more to stimulate the outer fibers of the uterus to tighten and draw the cervix back over the baby's head. But yes, without pliable and supportive connective tissues no amount of oxytocin will bring the baby into the world, and at the same time, without those hormones in play, even the most balanced muscle and fascia tissues won't by themselves put you into labor...
So which is it? Tissues or hormones?
Well honestly, I think it's both, and we don't necessarily have to choose which way we focus if we recognize that the interconnectedness of these systems is actually key to how the whole process works. In preparing for labor we must think of these two systems as being in a constant dance with one another. Or as several yoga teachers have pointed out, we are not a mind and a body, we are a mindbody. Psyche and Soma are not separated in our human experience, and this is even more true in birth. We have to think of both systems.
Quickly for those who don't know let me explain which systems we're talking about...Actually that's a whole other e-mail, but let me sum up. ;)
The key hormones of labor are the release of oxytocin and endorphins. These trigger the outer, vertical muscles fibers of the uterus to contract, drawing the lower segment of the uterus (which finishes in the cervix) up against, and then around the baby's head like drawing a turtleneck over the head (only upside-down), The nervous system governs when and how these hormones are released, and when we feel calm, safe, and seen they are released more than if we feel anxious, scared, and unsafe. In those circumstances we get higher levels of adrenaline and stress hormones which lead to tighten of the cervix rather than releasing.
But it's not just hormones! The baby is also moving through the different levels of the pelvis and pressing on tissues in those respective areas as they make the cardinal movements of labor. This pressure and respective yielding on the tissues has a dual effect. First off it makes the sensations of labor more manageable and allows the contractions of the uterus to be effective- instead of the body fighting itself and producing more pain. But along with the release, the consistent and even pressure against the cervix helps to promote the further release of oxytocin- assuming the cervix is opening to the sensations.
So which system comes first? Well, Egg? meet Chicken.
Preparing the body's tissues sets up the conditions not only for better fetal positioning but also for a smoother more yielding birth pathway which can guide baby onto the cervix and into the world.
But without feelings of safety, confidence and love the uterus is not prompted to begin moving baby through the pelvis and those same tone tissues are less likely to yield because we sense danger or anxiety around the experience we are having. Looking at our mental attitude towards labor and birth helps us see where we need support and emotional work to help restore and preserve the hormonal blueprint. AND preparing the connective tissues through movement, massage ad general body posture sets up the pathway to take the handoff from the hormones which in turn creates better movement during labor leading to better hormonal release and the cycle continues.
Birth is the marriage of our physiology with our hormones. It is both bio-mechanical, AND hormonal, and we need to prepare both sides if we want to promote smoother birthing.
This is why I LOVE teaching yoga alongside the HypnoBirthing program. I think of them as shaking hands. HypnoBirthing dives deep into the thoughts, images, and expectations we have around the birth process and helps us find our own way to be excited to welcome baby into our arms, but then right alongside those practicing weekly- or even better using the Full Mama Membership to have full access to the movement options, are able to learn to listen to the sensations within the body and understand not only where they can create space and strength during pregnancy, but how certain movements can make room or shift the internal space during the labor process. Mind and body working together for a smooth, empowered birth!
Are you preparing your mind for labor? What about your body for birth?