Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Kate &/or Nick]

Fantastic thread. I am about to start on a research assignment. I was 
planning on directed pushing (just because I've seen too much of it) but am 
now toying with noise in 2nd stage (because I've had too many women be told 
not to make any and would like to be able to challenge that 
authoritatively). Does anyone know of any journal articles, research etc?

Many thanks

Kate

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RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Karen Shlegeris]

Hi,
During my second labour at home I said "ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow" all the way
through each contraction, as if to let everyone know that I was feeling
something very strong, which I don't describe as pain, and boy it helped
just to verbalise it.  No-one even seemed to notice, in fact it probably
indicated to the midwife what was happening and how far along I was.  I
encourage the women in my classes to find a noise and go with it!  We even
practice roaring and moaning out loud - it makes them all laugh and really
lifts their spirits.  Hope the hospital midwives support them in their noise
on the day!

Best wishes,
Karen in Townsville

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Meaghan Moon
Sent: Monday, 15 August 2005 2:38 AM
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

I am very late in on this thread and haven't read all of the e-mails on the 
topic.  I like mooing.  In Canada, I talk to mums about bellowing like a 
moose.  Roaring is also good.  Had a mum recently who was a real roarer, 
and in fact explained to her 5 year old that she was having a good time 
roaring just like a lion, so it was all O.K.  He seemed to be reassured by 
this, even though we had heard him fall out of bed when he was woken by her 
belly roars!

Meaghan

At 10:21 PM 8/13/05, you wrote:
>Dear Andrea and Miriam
>
>I love your emails and am mooing myself happily
>Again it shows the wonderfull instintcs women have
>
>I have not been with women who have mooed but from my time with homebirth 
>midwives and then clients and also in my singing for non singers course
>
>I learnt that deep noises rather than high pitch ones (screams0  are the 
>ones to encourage as they send the energy down into your abdomen and then 
>to the uterus and baby
>
>whereas the high pitched  looses energy out of the body through the head
>
>Mooing is a low pitch noise!!
>
>Where I did my mid in the UK the maternity unit was out the back of the 
>hospital and overlooked pastures with cows and I remember saying to the 
>women we humans need to reconnenct with nature to nurture and now birth 
>our young!!
>
>Denise Hynd
>
>"Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the 
>sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by 
>anyone, our bodies will be handled."
>
>- Linda Hes
>
>- Original Message ----- From: "Tania Smallwood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: 
>Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 3:03 PM
>Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth
>
>
>>Sorry for the late input on this, have been cruising the South Pacific
with
>>my family, but am catching up on many emails now...don't feel too sorry
for
>>me!
>>
>>Ah Miriam, you have such a way with words!  I too was beckoned as a
student
>>midwife only a few years ago to join in and feel the love with a woman who
>>could only be described as mooing, and it was a very connecting experience
>>for us both.  It also meant that the supervising midwife, who was
obviously
>>not at all comfortable with birthing noises (funny that, how she was very
>>comfortable with cleaning noises, people barging in to look at charts
>>noises...) kept her distance and just let 'us'go for it!
>>
>>I myself moaned and groaned and then growled my way through 18 hours of
>>labour first time around, and there are shadows of the school kids walking
>>past the bathroom window on the video just before Sam is born! I still
>>wonder why no-one knocked on the front door to see what was going on in
>>there!
>>
>>A friend who has recently had her first homebirth after several hospital
>>births has commented on how she thought she was a quiet birther, but then
>>after birthing at home, realized that she did indeed feel restricted in
the
>>hospital, and that she now thinks that she was aware of feeling like her
>>midwives would judge her if she was too vocal in the hospital. Interesting
>>stuff.
>>
>>Tania
>>x
>>
>>
>>
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>>Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
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>>Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.8/71 - Release Date: 12/08/2005
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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Meaghan Moon]

I am very late in on this thread and haven't read all of the e-mails on the 
topic.  I like mooing.  In Canada, I talk to mums about bellowing like a 
moose.  Roaring is also good.  Had a mum recently who was a real roarer, 
and in fact explained to her 5 year old that she was having a good time 
roaring just like a lion, so it was all O.K.  He seemed to be reassured by 
this, even though we had heard him fall out of bed when he was woken by her 
belly roars!


Meaghan

At 10:21 PM 8/13/05, you wrote:

Dear Andrea and Miriam

I love your emails and am mooing myself happily
Again it shows the wonderfull instintcs women have

I have not been with women who have mooed but from my time with homebirth 
midwives and then clients and also in my singing for non singers course


I learnt that deep noises rather than high pitch ones (screams0  are the 
ones to encourage as they send the energy down into your abdomen and then 
to the uterus and baby


whereas the high pitched  looses energy out of the body through the head

Mooing is a low pitch noise!!

Where I did my mid in the UK the maternity unit was out the back of the 
hospital and overlooked pastures with cows and I remember saying to the 
women we humans need to reconnenct with nature to nurture and now birth 
our young!!


Denise Hynd

"Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the 
sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by 
anyone, our bodies will be handled."


- Linda Hes

- Original Message - From: "Tania Smallwood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 3:03 PM
Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



Sorry for the late input on this, have been cruising the South Pacific with
my family, but am catching up on many emails now...don't feel too sorry for
me!

Ah Miriam, you have such a way with words!  I too was beckoned as a student
midwife only a few years ago to join in and feel the love with a woman who
could only be described as mooing, and it was a very connecting experience
for us both.  It also meant that the supervising midwife, who was obviously
not at all comfortable with birthing noises (funny that, how she was very
comfortable with cleaning noises, people barging in to look at charts
noises...) kept her distance and just let 'us'go for it!

I myself moaned and groaned and then growled my way through 18 hours of
labour first time around, and there are shadows of the school kids walking
past the bathroom window on the video just before Sam is born! I still
wonder why no-one knocked on the front door to see what was going on in
there!

A friend who has recently had her first homebirth after several hospital
births has commented on how she thought she was a quiet birther, but then
after birthing at home, realized that she did indeed feel restricted in the
hospital, and that she now thinks that she was aware of feeling like her
midwives would judge her if she was too vocal in the hospital. Interesting
stuff.

Tania
x



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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Denise Hynd]

Dear Andrea and Miriam

I love your emails and am mooing myself happily
Again it shows the wonderfull instintcs women have

I have not been with women who have mooed but from my time with homebirth 
midwives and then clients and also in my singing for non singers course


I learnt that deep noises rather than high pitch ones (screams0  are the 
ones to encourage as they send the energy down into your abdomen and then to 
the uterus and baby


whereas the high pitched  looses energy out of the body through the head

Mooing is a low pitch noise!!

Where I did my mid in the UK the maternity unit was out the back of the 
hospital and overlooked pastures with cows and I remember saying to the 
women we humans need to reconnenct with nature to nurture and now birth our 
young!!


Denise Hynd

"Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the 
sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by 
anyone, our bodies will be handled."


- Linda Hes

- Original Message - 
From: "Tania Smallwood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 3:03 PM
Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


Sorry for the late input on this, have been cruising the South Pacific 
with
my family, but am catching up on many emails now...don't feel too sorry 
for

me!

Ah Miriam, you have such a way with words!  I too was beckoned as a 
student

midwife only a few years ago to join in and feel the love with a woman who
could only be described as mooing, and it was a very connecting experience
for us both.  It also meant that the supervising midwife, who was 
obviously

not at all comfortable with birthing noises (funny that, how she was very
comfortable with cleaning noises, people barging in to look at charts
noises...) kept her distance and just let 'us'go for it!

I myself moaned and groaned and then growled my way through 18 hours of
labour first time around, and there are shadows of the school kids walking
past the bathroom window on the video just before Sam is born! I still
wonder why no-one knocked on the front door to see what was going on in
there!

A friend who has recently had her first homebirth after several hospital
births has commented on how she thought she was a quiet birther, but then
after birthing at home, realized that she did indeed feel restricted in 
the

hospital, and that she now thinks that she was aware of feeling like her
midwives would judge her if she was too vocal in the hospital. 
Interesting

stuff.

Tania
x



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RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Tania Smallwood]

Sorry for the late input on this, have been cruising the South Pacific with
my family, but am catching up on many emails now...don't feel too sorry for
me!

Ah Miriam, you have such a way with words!  I too was beckoned as a student
midwife only a few years ago to join in and feel the love with a woman who
could only be described as mooing, and it was a very connecting experience
for us both.  It also meant that the supervising midwife, who was obviously
not at all comfortable with birthing noises (funny that, how she was very
comfortable with cleaning noises, people barging in to look at charts
noises...) kept her distance and just let 'us'go for it!

I myself moaned and groaned and then growled my way through 18 hours of
labour first time around, and there are shadows of the school kids walking
past the bathroom window on the video just before Sam is born! I still
wonder why no-one knocked on the front door to see what was going on in
there!

A friend who has recently had her first homebirth after several hospital
births has commented on how she thought she was a quiet birther, but then
after birthing at home, realized that she did indeed feel restricted in the
hospital, and that she now thinks that she was aware of feeling like her
midwives would judge her if she was too vocal in the hospital.  Interesting
stuff.

Tania
x 



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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Belinda]

not quite yet, soon I hope

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Thanks Belinda,

That's so true, and thanks so much for reminding me of that issue. I 
really appreciate everyone's viewpoint and help on this matter, seems 
there is a lot more to it than I originally thought.


Is your study complete yet?

Holly

- Original Message - From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about 
their fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act 
in labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest 
rated fears women have. In my study it is certainly a reason that 
women use drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop 
"behaving badly" once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A 
huge part of womens reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how 
they "behaved". I think this is important to address because the idea 
of being quiet, compliant, neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy 
sweaty - really drives womens fears and the choices they then make 
for labour. It is a great shame that women have particular 
expectations of their behavior that is in no way reassuring, okay, 
normal, wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions 
on here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts 
element on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how 
it can be beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like 
myself!), and what society/media find or portray as being acceptable.

 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic 
point of information and inspiration : )

 Holly (mum of four)



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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Denise Hynd]

What's even sadder is the lack of relflecting on the lack and acceptance of 
the lack of privacy for birthing women which i feel is a part of their 
concerns


I do not remember the being a strong or recurrent concern for HB women ?

Denise Hynd

"Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the 
sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by 
anyone, our bodies will be handled."


- Linda Hes

- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 12:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in labour. 
A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated fears women 
have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use drugs or 
epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly" once the drugs 
shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens reflections of 
labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think this is important 
to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant, neat, tidy as in 
NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens fears and the choices 
they then make for labour. It is a great shame that women have particular 
expectations of their behavior that is in no way reassuring, okay, normal, 
wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on 
here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts element 
on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it can be 
beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!), and what 
society/media find or portray as being acceptable.

 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point of 
information and inspiration : )

 Holly (mum of four)



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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Kathy McCarthy-Bushby]

Pam England comments to parents that "when you hit your thumb with a hammer,
you probably say "Ouch" or chant some profanity" as vocalisation through
pain is both a distraction and a release. I'm sure you could use this
comment with parents and professionals.
kathy
- Original Message -
From: "Kathy McCarthy-Bushby" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


> You could say "now you and i both know that women make noise in labour as
a
> coping mechanism, to help them release or express their pain and to
> encourage them to work with their body". Or you could remind them that
> "whatever works for the woman to labour and give birth is good enough". Or
> you could ask them "do they make noise when they are eating, happy, sad,
in
> pain, making love or playing sport?". Another one I say if staff who say
to
> me "gee, your woman was noisy" is "Oh really i didn't notice". Another
> important thing to do I believe is close the door.
>
> A reference I have found very helpful was Pam England's "Birthin from
> within" on page 239 there is this great story which tells the story of a
> midwife talking to an antenatal class about making noise and the
importance
> of encouraging freedom of expression and sadly what can happen when we
stop
> the woman from making noise.
>
> "My sister was in good, strong labor and labor had been progressing well.
> Nearing the end of labor, she was about seven centimeters
dilated...she
> began wailing and moaning through contractions, on her hands and knees,
just
> like you showed us. Her nurse came in and said "I'm sorry, but you're
making
> the doctor nervous. Try to be quiet.
> My sister managed to be quiet, but soon after her labor petered out. The
> birth changed directions. After labor slowed down, she was given pitocin,
> which led to an epidural. And we always wondered what happened."
>
> I use this in antenatal classes mainly to help women understand that noise
> is ok and to let the guys know it's ok too. Maybe, we could encourage the
> men to support their partners by saying they'd prefer that their partner
be
> free to labor and express herself in the manner that she needs to do so to
> birth their baby.
> kathy
> - Original Message -
> From: "JoFromOz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: 
> Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 10:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth
>
>
> > Kate &/or Nick wrote:
> >
> > >So how do you challenge a midwife or ob who insists on no noise?
> > >
> > >Kate (student midwife)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > Give them ear plugs!
> >
> > Jo
> >
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> >
>
>
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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Kathy McCarthy-Bushby]

You could say "now you and i both know that women make noise in labour as a
coping mechanism, to help them release or express their pain and to
encourage them to work with their body". Or you could remind them that
"whatever works for the woman to labour and give birth is good enough". Or
you could ask them "do they make noise when they are eating, happy, sad, in
pain, making love or playing sport?". Another one I say if staff who say to
me "gee, your woman was noisy" is "Oh really i didn't notice". Another
important thing to do I believe is close the door.

A reference I have found very helpful was Pam England's "Birthin from
within" on page 239 there is this great story which tells the story of a
midwife talking to an antenatal class about making noise and the importance
of encouraging freedom of expression and sadly what can happen when we stop
the woman from making noise.

"My sister was in good, strong labor and labor had been progressing well.
Nearing the end of labor, she was about seven centimeters dilated...she
began wailing and moaning through contractions, on her hands and knees, just
like you showed us. Her nurse came in and said "I'm sorry, but you're making
the doctor nervous. Try to be quiet.
My sister managed to be quiet, but soon after her labor petered out. The
birth changed directions. After labor slowed down, she was given pitocin,
which led to an epidural. And we always wondered what happened."

I use this in antenatal classes mainly to help women understand that noise
is ok and to let the guys know it's ok too. Maybe, we could encourage the
men to support their partners by saying they'd prefer that their partner be
free to labor and express herself in the manner that she needs to do so to
birth their baby.
kathy
- Original Message -
From: "JoFromOz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 10:28 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


> Kate &/or Nick wrote:
>
> >So how do you challenge a midwife or ob who insists on no noise?
> >
> >Kate (student midwife)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Give them ear plugs!
>
> Jo
>
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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Carol Van Lochem]

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the hospital on, the top floor above theatre, lies our labour ward. It has been in the throws of renovation since January. (It was meant to be completed in March) Our "temporary" labour rooms have been set up in 2 of our 2 bed postnatal rooms, and if these are full & we need more we use our single rooms as well. These are very small, but everyone's learning to be creative with the space. The corridore that runs through the postnatal ward is currently being used as a thorough fare to the medical ward, as the old route has been blocked by the renovations.
The resulting public space for birth has had an interesting effect on women's fear about vocalising in labour. Many women in antenatal clinic voice their concerns about this. I reasure them that when they are in labour it won't bother them as they'll be too busy giving birth, & that the women in the postnatal rooms will understand as they've just been there themselves. The resulting birth noises that echo through our corridores provide an excelent education to the passing public! The nurses station on the surgical ward is directly under these rooms, so they get it in stereo, as the sound echoes down the stairwell too! We receive many queries from other wards regarding the women they heard labouring the day before. I think it is helping the rest of the staff to develop an understanding of our work as midwives. 




From:  Ceri & Katrina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Reply-To:  ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auTo:  ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject:  Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birthDate:  Fri, 5 Aug 2005 10:06:26 +1000>I have found this thread really interesting. When I had my babies, I >remember getting quite vocal, especially with the first. My midwife >said tp me at one stage. 'Katrina, you need to stop screaming, all >the other women can hear you down the hallway!" As she turned around >and walked away, I promplty made some rude silent gestures at her >and refocused slightly but continued in my noisy way!  Babe number >2, was a low gutteral groan in my throat (probably during 2nd stage) >if I really 
think about when, to the point where I had a saw throat >the next day. But it felt good and its what I needed to do.>>I find birth noises par for the course, a beautiful part of a labour >that goes with the blood, the leaks, the mess. Where I work, we do >not have sound proof rooms, but the variety of women that birth >there is as varied as their pregnancy experiences. Some are quiet >and the first you know is the scream of the baby, others you hear >screaming for an hour before the babe is born.  I find most of our >midwives are pretty good with it, it is, as people have already >commented,  often the partner or support people who need the >pethidine.>>katrina>>>>
><< smallnps2.jpg >>

>>www.niagaraparkshow.com.au>On 05/08/2005, at 4:16 AM, Gloria Lemay wrote:>>>Thanks for this delightful post, Miriam, it made my day.  Gloria in >>Canada>>- Original Message - From: "Miriam Hannay" >><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>>To: >>Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 1:29 AM>>Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth>>>>>>>Hello all,>>>I vividly remember warning our elderly neighbours>>>about the imminent home birth of our first child. They>>>said 'make all the noise you like' and I did. Birthing>>>my second babe on a hot summers day, i knelt in the>>>birth pool and hung my sweaty head out the window in>>>an 
attempt to catch some breeze. The next day our>>>neighbour walked her dog past and told me 'I heard you>>>having your baby yesterday, it was so exciting!!' I>>>was just as noisy with number three and four, and>>>simply can't imagine for myself feeling inhibited by>>>the echo and resonance of my body during labour. I'm>>>sure the cow noises opened that cervix up a treat! As a student I >>>have since birthed with many women who>>>felt compelled to remain silent during labour, not all>>>of them because they wanted to, but because they>>>needed to be 'good girls'. I have also birthed with a>>>woman who ordered me to make the noise too, the look>>>on the shift coordinator's face when she poked her>>>head in the door to find a 
student midwife kneeling on>>>the floor, rocking her hips and roaring like a lion>>>was a sight to behold I can tell you.>>>Every woman is different but I so wish all birthing>>>women could feel open to the sounds of their birthing>>>power. For midwives those sounds offer a 'labour>>>asses

Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Luke M Priddis]

I just wanted to say thankyou to everyone for all your amazing stories! I 
will now approach this topic from a few different angles, thankyou so much 
for your input.


Holly : )


- Original Message - 
From: "Miriam Hannay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



Hello all,

I vividly remember warning our elderly neighbours
about the imminent home birth of our first child. They
said 'make all the noise you like' and I did. Birthing
my second babe on a hot summers day, i knelt in the
birth pool and hung my sweaty head out the window in
an attempt to catch some breeze. The next day our
neighbour walked her dog past and told me 'I heard you
having your baby yesterday, it was so exciting!!' I
was just as noisy with number three and four, and
simply can't imagine for myself feeling inhibited by
the echo and resonance of my body during labour. I'm
sure the cow noises opened that cervix up a treat!
As a student I have since birthed with many women who
felt compelled to remain silent during labour, not all
of them because they wanted to, but because they
needed to be 'good girls'. I have also birthed with a
woman who ordered me to make the noise too, the look
on the shift coordinator's face when she poked her
head in the door to find a student midwife kneeling on
the floor, rocking her hips and roaring like a lion
was a sight to behold I can tell you.
Every woman is different but I so wish all birthing
women could feel open to the sounds of their birthing
power. For midwives those sounds offer a 'labour
assessment tool' far less invasive and often more
accurate than any VE. Bring on the Bellows
Regards, Miriam (2nd year Bmid FUSA)


--- Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


one thing that is coming out of literature which
asks women about their
fears is that women significantly worry about how
they will act in
labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of
the highest rated
fears women have. In my study it is certainly a
reason that women use
drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop
"behaving badly"
once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A
huge part of womens
reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they
"behaved". I think
this is important to address because the idea of
being quiet, compliant,
neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty -
really drives womens
fears and the choices they then make for labour. It
is a great shame
that women have particular expectations of their
behavior that is in no
way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and
vital to birth.
Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have
asked a few questions on
> here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a
creative arts
> element on the sounds women make during labour and
birth - eg, how it
> can be beneficial, how some women don't make any
noise (like myself!),
> and what society/media find or portray as being
acceptable.
>
> Has anyone come across any research on this, read
any good articles?
>
> Thanks for any help you may have, I find this
group a fantastic point
> of information and inspiration : )
>
> Holly (mum of four)
>

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RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Sally Westbury]

My second baby was a planned birth centre
birth. My water broke and I was automatically excluded from the birth center
and ended up in labour ward in the hospital that I had been working in as a
midwife!!

 

Some hours after being in labour ward at 1pm (having refused routine scalp electrode and been told that my baby
might die) I allowed a VE and was 1cm dilated!!! Sad me.
I was being a very good, very quiet girl. Then the beautiful Annie P (in Hobart) came to relieve the midwife for a lunch break. She turned the
lights off. Kicked all the other staff out of the room and got me making
noise!! She reminded me of who I was and helped guide me in touch with my body.


 

My baby was in my arms at 3.30!!

 

The sound make all
the difference.

 

 

Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Ceri & Katrina]

I have found this thread really interesting. When I had my babies, I remember getting quite vocal, especially with the first. My midwife said tp me at one stage. 'Katrina, you need to stop screaming, all the other women can hear you down the hallway!" As she turned around and walked away, I promplty made some rude silent gestures at her and refocused slightly but continued in my noisy way!  Babe number 2, was a low gutteral groan in my throat (probably during 2nd stage) if I really think about when, to the point where I had a saw throat the next day. But it felt good and its what I needed to do.  

I find birth noises par for the course, a beautiful part of a labour that goes with the blood, the leaks, the mess. Where I work, we do not have sound proof rooms, but the variety of women that birth there is as varied as their pregnancy experiences. Some are quiet and the first you know is the scream of the baby, others you hear screaming for an hour before the babe is born.  I find most of our midwives are pretty good with it, it is, as people have already commented,  often the partner or support people who need the pethidine.  

katrina




<>

www.niagaraparkshow.com.au
On 05/08/2005, at 4:16 AM, Gloria Lemay wrote:

Thanks for this delightful post, Miriam, it made my day.  Gloria in Canada
- Original Message - From: "Miriam Hannay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 1:29 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


Hello all,
I vividly remember warning our elderly neighbours
about the imminent home birth of our first child. They
said 'make all the noise you like' and I did. Birthing
my second babe on a hot summers day, i knelt in the
birth pool and hung my sweaty head out the window in
an attempt to catch some breeze. The next day our
neighbour walked her dog past and told me 'I heard you
having your baby yesterday, it was so exciting!!' I
was just as noisy with number three and four, and
simply can't imagine for myself feeling inhibited by
the echo and resonance of my body during labour. I'm
sure the cow noises opened that cervix up a treat! As a student I have since birthed with many women who
felt compelled to remain silent during labour, not all
of them because they wanted to, but because they
needed to be 'good girls'. I have also birthed with a
woman who ordered me to make the noise too, the look
on the shift coordinator's face when she poked her
head in the door to find a student midwife kneeling on
the floor, rocking her hips and roaring like a lion
was a sight to behold I can tell you.
Every woman is different but I so wish all birthing
women could feel open to the sounds of their birthing
power. For midwives those sounds offer a 'labour
assessment tool' far less invasive and often more
accurate than any VE. Bring on the Bellows
Regards, Miriam (2nd year Bmid FUSA)
--- Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
one thing that is coming out of literature which
asks women about their fears is that women significantly worry about how
they will act in labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of
the highest rated fears women have. In my study it is certainly a
reason that women use drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop
"behaving badly" once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A
huge part of womens reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they
"behaved". I think this is important to address because the idea of
being quiet, compliant, neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty -
really drives womens fears and the choices they then make for labour. It
is a great shame that women have particular expectations of their
behavior that is in no way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and
vital to birth.
Belinda
Luke M Priddis wrote:
> Hi all,
>  > I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have
asked a few questions on > here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a
creative arts > element on the sounds women make during labour and
birth - eg, how it > can be beneficial, how some women don't make any
noise (like myself!), > and what society/media find or portray as being
acceptable.
>  > Has anyone come across any research on this, read
any good articles?
>  > Thanks for any help you may have, I find this
group a fantastic point > of information and inspiration : )
>  > Holly (mum of four)
>  --
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Visit  to subscribe
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Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.


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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Gloria Lemay]

Thanks for this delightful post, Miriam, it made my day.  Gloria in Canada
- Original Message - 
From: "Miriam Hannay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 1:29 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



Hello all,

I vividly remember warning our elderly neighbours
about the imminent home birth of our first child. They
said 'make all the noise you like' and I did. Birthing
my second babe on a hot summers day, i knelt in the
birth pool and hung my sweaty head out the window in
an attempt to catch some breeze. The next day our
neighbour walked her dog past and told me 'I heard you
having your baby yesterday, it was so exciting!!' I
was just as noisy with number three and four, and
simply can't imagine for myself feeling inhibited by
the echo and resonance of my body during labour. I'm
sure the cow noises opened that cervix up a treat! 
As a student I have since birthed with many women who

felt compelled to remain silent during labour, not all
of them because they wanted to, but because they
needed to be 'good girls'. I have also birthed with a
woman who ordered me to make the noise too, the look
on the shift coordinator's face when she poked her
head in the door to find a student midwife kneeling on
the floor, rocking her hips and roaring like a lion
was a sight to behold I can tell you.
Every woman is different but I so wish all birthing
women could feel open to the sounds of their birthing
power. For midwives those sounds offer a 'labour
assessment tool' far less invasive and often more
accurate than any VE. Bring on the Bellows
Regards, Miriam (2nd year Bmid FUSA)


--- Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


one thing that is coming out of literature which
asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how
they will act in 
labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of
the highest rated 
fears women have. In my study it is certainly a
reason that women use 
drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop
"behaving badly" 
once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A
huge part of womens 
reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they
"behaved". I think 
this is important to address because the idea of
being quiet, compliant, 
neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty -
really drives womens 
fears and the choices they then make for labour. It
is a great shame 
that women have particular expectations of their
behavior that is in no 
way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and

vital to birth.
Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:

> Hi all,
>  
> I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have
asked a few questions on 
> here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a
creative arts 
> element on the sounds women make during labour and
birth - eg, how it 
> can be beneficial, how some women don't make any
noise (like myself!), 
> and what society/media find or portray as being

acceptable.
>  
> Has anyone come across any research on this, read

any good articles?
>  
> Thanks for any help you may have, I find this
group a fantastic point 
> of information and inspiration : )
>  
> Holly (mum of four)
>  


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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Susan Cudlipp]

Obs are often uncomfortable with noise, or even noiseless but (to their 
thinking) unusual behaviour.  Today I attended the birth of a lovely multi 
who was in 2nd stage for some time but just did not want to push.  She was 
scared of letting go I think, so I just waited patiently and let her get to 
the stage of letting go in her own time, with encouraging words.  Much 
eye-rolling and side comments from obs - "All she needs is to push!!"
She never did push, eventually her contractions birthed the baby without 
maternal effort.  She was very quiet throughout. I think there was a lot of 
trauma memory from the first birth.
A lovely birth - but why do they always have to 'control' even the most 
normal of labours?  Sigh!
I think giving the pethidine to the ones who are uncomfortable is a damn 
good idea!


Sue
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do 
nothing"

Edmund Burke
- Original Message - 
From: "Kate &/or Nick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 8:17 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



So how do you challenge a midwife or ob who insists on no noise?

Kate (student midwife)


- Original Message - 
From: "brendamanning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


Tanya,

There are no implications, only observations.
Some women are pressured into being quiet by caregivers for their own
comfort or concern about other women being scared by noise.

Some women are naturally expressive & others are self-contained.

The issue is that they ought to have the freedom to be however they need 
to

be during labour to get the job done.

Women who have to suppress their natural urge to be vocal struggle with
birthing because all there energy is directed inwardly not externally. The
energy is trapped in her body & it just makes her work twice as hard. 
Really
difficult to be a MW & be present with women struggling with themselves. 
If
being vocal is not what she needs to be that's fine, but it's the freedom 
to

choose that we are working towards.

Brenda


- Original Message - 
From: "Tanya Fleming" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



What is "self-control"?  Are we implying that a woman who is silent in
labour has more or better "self-control" than a vocal woman  I would
refer to it as expressive.

Tanya.

- Original Message - 
From: "brendamanning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



So true.
Self control is not always an appropriate thing.
Women who need to be "good" girls( for the reasons we all know about)
have to use alot of self control in labour, it's really hard work for
them, sad.

Brenda
----- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in
labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated
fears women have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use
drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly"
once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens
reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think
this is important to address because the idea of being quiet, 
compliant,

neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens
fears and the choices they then make for labour. It is a great shame
that women have particular expectations of their behavior that is in no
way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and vital to birth.
Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions 
on

here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts
element on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it
can be beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!),
and what society/media find or portray as being acceptable.
 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point
of information and inspiration : )
 Holly (mum of four)



--
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Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.


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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Judy Chapman]

One 'sound birth' that I vividly remember: she had got to
pushing but could not push unless yelling but did not want to
yell. I had to coax her not to push but to 'shout at me, louder,
and again, that's really yell' etc. Then she pushed it out. 
A story of my mums about the woman who birthed in the ward
because the labour ward was full but she made no noise. When the
other women in the ward commented on how little noise she made
she apparently said something like "But I could not wake all you
ladies up, could I?". At least it worked for her. 
Cheers
Judy


--- Miriam Hannay <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Hello all,
> 
> I vividly remember warning our elderly neighbours
> about the imminent home birth of our first child. They
> said 'make all the noise you like' and I did. Birthing
> my second babe on a hot summers day, i knelt in the
> birth pool and hung my sweaty head out the window in
> an attempt to catch some breeze. The next day our
> neighbour walked her dog past and told me 'I heard you
> having your baby yesterday, it was so exciting!!' I
> was just as noisy with number three and four, and
> simply can't imagine for myself feeling inhibited by
> the echo and resonance of my body during labour. I'm
> sure the cow noises opened that cervix up a treat! 
> As a student I have since birthed with many women who
> felt compelled to remain silent during labour, not all
> of them because they wanted to, but because they
> needed to be 'good girls'. I have also birthed with a
> woman who ordered me to make the noise too, the look
> on the shift coordinator's face when she poked her
> head in the door to find a student midwife kneeling on
> the floor, rocking her hips and roaring like a lion
> was a sight to behold I can tell you.
> Every woman is different but I so wish all birthing
> women could feel open to the sounds of their birthing
> power. For midwives those sounds offer a 'labour
> assessment tool' far less invasive and often more
> accurate than any VE. Bring on the Bellows
> Regards, Miriam (2nd year Bmid FUSA)
> 
> 
> --- Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > one thing that is coming out of literature which
> > asks women about their 
> > fears is that women significantly worry about how
> > they will act in 
> > labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of
> > the highest rated 
> > fears women have. In my study it is certainly a
> > reason that women use 
> > drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop
> > "behaving badly" 
> > once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A
> > huge part of womens 
> > reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they
> > "behaved". I think 
> > this is important to address because the idea of
> > being quiet, compliant, 
> > neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty -
> > really drives womens 
> > fears and the choices they then make for labour. It
> > is a great shame 
> > that women have particular expectations of their
> > behavior that is in no 
> > way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and
> > vital to birth.
> > Belinda
> > 
> > Luke M Priddis wrote:
> > 
> > > Hi all,
> > >  
> > > I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have
> > asked a few questions on 
> > > here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a
> > creative arts 
> > > element on the sounds women make during labour and
> > birth - eg, how it 
> > > can be beneficial, how some women don't make any
> > noise (like myself!), 
> > > and what society/media find or portray as being
> > acceptable.
> > >  
> > > Has anyone come across any research on this, read
> > any good articles?
> > >  
> > > Thanks for any help you may have, I find this
> > group a fantastic point 
> > > of information and inspiration : )
> > >  
> > > Holly (mum of four)
> > >  
> > 
> > --
> > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> > Visit  to subscribe
> > or unsubscribe.
> > 
> 
> 
> 
>   
>  
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> Yahoo! Photos: Now with unlimited storage 
> http://au.photos.yahoo.com
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> Visit  to subscribe or
> unsubscribe.
> 




 
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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[JoFromOz]

Kate &/or Nick wrote:


So how do you challenge a midwife or ob who insists on no noise?

Kate (student midwife)


 


Give them ear plugs!

Jo

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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Kate &/or Nick]

So how do you challenge a midwife or ob who insists on no noise?

Kate (student midwife)


- Original Message - 
From: "brendamanning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


Tanya,

There are no implications, only observations.
Some women are pressured into being quiet by caregivers for their own
comfort or concern about other women being scared by noise.

Some women are naturally expressive & others are self-contained.

The issue is that they ought to have the freedom to be however they need to
be during labour to get the job done.

Women who have to suppress their natural urge to be vocal struggle with
birthing because all there energy is directed inwardly not externally. The
energy is trapped in her body & it just makes her work twice as hard. Really
difficult to be a MW & be present with women struggling with themselves. If
being vocal is not what she needs to be that's fine, but it's the freedom to
choose that we are working towards.

Brenda


- Original Message - 
From: "Tanya Fleming" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


> What is "self-control"?  Are we implying that a woman who is silent in
> labour has more or better "self-control" than a vocal woman  I would
> refer to it as expressive.
>
> Tanya.
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "brendamanning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: 
> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 5:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth
>
>
>> So true.
>> Self control is not always an appropriate thing.
>> Women who need to be "good" girls( for the reasons we all know about)
>> have to use alot of self control in labour, it's really hard work for
>> them, sad.
>>
>> Brenda
>> - Original Message - 
>> From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> To: 
>> Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
>> Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth
>>
>>
>>> one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their
>>> fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in
>>> labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated
>>> fears women have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use
>>> drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly"
>>> once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens
>>> reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think
>>> this is important to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant,
>>> neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens
>>> fears and the choices they then make for labour. It is a great shame
>>> that women have particular expectations of their behavior that is in no
>>> way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and vital to birth.
>>> Belinda
>>>
>>> Luke M Priddis wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>  I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on
>>>> here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts
>>>> element on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it
>>>> can be beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!),
>>>> and what society/media find or portray as being acceptable.
>>>>  Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
>>>>  Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point
>>>> of information and inspiration : )
>>>>  Holly (mum of four)
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
>>> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
>>
>> --
>> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
>> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
>>
>
>
> --
> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.

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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[brendamanning]

Tanya,

There are no implications, only observations.
Some women are pressured into being quiet by caregivers for their own 
comfort or concern about other women being scared by noise.


Some women are naturally expressive & others are self-contained.

The issue is that they ought to have the freedom to be however they need to 
be during labour to get the job done.


Women who have to suppress their natural urge to be vocal struggle with 
birthing because all there energy is directed inwardly not externally. The 
energy is trapped in her body & it just makes her work twice as hard. Really 
difficult to be a MW & be present with women struggling with themselves. If 
being vocal is not what she needs to be that's fine, but it's the freedom to 
choose that we are working towards.


Brenda


- Original Message - 
From: "Tanya Fleming" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


What is "self-control"?  Are we implying that a woman who is silent in 
labour has more or better "self-control" than a vocal woman  I would 
refer to it as expressive.


Tanya.

- Original Message - 
From: "brendamanning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



So true.
Self control is not always an appropriate thing.
Women who need to be "good" girls( for the reasons we all know about) 
have to use alot of self control in labour, it's really hard work for 
them, sad.


Brenda
- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in 
labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated 
fears women have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use 
drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly" 
once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens 
reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think 
this is important to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant, 
neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens 
fears and the choices they then make for labour. It is a great shame 
that women have particular expectations of their behavior that is in no 
way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on 
here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts 
element on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it 
can be beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!), 
and what society/media find or portray as being acceptable.

 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point 
of information and inspiration : )

 Holly (mum of four)



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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Tanya Fleming]

What is "self-control"?  Are we implying that a woman who is silent in 
labour has more or better "self-control" than a vocal woman  I would 
refer to it as expressive.


Tanya.

- Original Message - 
From: "brendamanning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



So true.
Self control is not always an appropriate thing.
Women who need to be "good" girls( for the reasons we all know about) have 
to use alot of self control in labour, it's really hard work for them, 
sad.


Brenda
- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in 
labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated 
fears women have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use 
drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly" once 
the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens 
reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think 
this is important to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant, 
neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens 
fears and the choices they then make for labour. It is a great shame that 
women have particular expectations of their behavior that is in no way 
reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on 
here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts element 
on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it can be 
beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!), and what 
society/media find or portray as being acceptable.

 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point 
of information and inspiration : )

 Holly (mum of four)



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Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.


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RE: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Ken WArd]

Great idea, Honey. I've dealt with some dads who needed the pethidine or
epidural. Maureen

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Honey Acharya
Sent: Thursday, 4 August 2005 2:39 PM
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


The other issue is caregivers who are not comfortable with birth noises
themselves.
If they make some comment or encourage an epidural or pethidine becaue THEY
can't handle it.
I had a midwife make a comment to me at a birth once ( I was the doula) and
I was shocked that she couldn't relax with the noises and see them as normal
and necessary for some women.
 Perhaps they should inject themselves with the pethidine and leave the
woman to it.
Honey


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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Miriam Hannay]

Hello all,

I vividly remember warning our elderly neighbours
about the imminent home birth of our first child. They
said 'make all the noise you like' and I did. Birthing
my second babe on a hot summers day, i knelt in the
birth pool and hung my sweaty head out the window in
an attempt to catch some breeze. The next day our
neighbour walked her dog past and told me 'I heard you
having your baby yesterday, it was so exciting!!' I
was just as noisy with number three and four, and
simply can't imagine for myself feeling inhibited by
the echo and resonance of my body during labour. I'm
sure the cow noises opened that cervix up a treat! 
As a student I have since birthed with many women who
felt compelled to remain silent during labour, not all
of them because they wanted to, but because they
needed to be 'good girls'. I have also birthed with a
woman who ordered me to make the noise too, the look
on the shift coordinator's face when she poked her
head in the door to find a student midwife kneeling on
the floor, rocking her hips and roaring like a lion
was a sight to behold I can tell you.
Every woman is different but I so wish all birthing
women could feel open to the sounds of their birthing
power. For midwives those sounds offer a 'labour
assessment tool' far less invasive and often more
accurate than any VE. Bring on the Bellows
Regards, Miriam (2nd year Bmid FUSA)


--- Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> one thing that is coming out of literature which
> asks women about their 
> fears is that women significantly worry about how
> they will act in 
> labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of
> the highest rated 
> fears women have. In my study it is certainly a
> reason that women use 
> drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop
> "behaving badly" 
> once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A
> huge part of womens 
> reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they
> "behaved". I think 
> this is important to address because the idea of
> being quiet, compliant, 
> neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty -
> really drives womens 
> fears and the choices they then make for labour. It
> is a great shame 
> that women have particular expectations of their
> behavior that is in no 
> way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and
> vital to birth.
> Belinda
> 
> Luke M Priddis wrote:
> 
> > Hi all,
> >  
> > I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have
> asked a few questions on 
> > here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a
> creative arts 
> > element on the sounds women make during labour and
> birth - eg, how it 
> > can be beneficial, how some women don't make any
> noise (like myself!), 
> > and what society/media find or portray as being
> acceptable.
> >  
> > Has anyone come across any research on this, read
> any good articles?
> >  
> > Thanks for any help you may have, I find this
> group a fantastic point 
> > of information and inspiration : )
> >  
> > Holly (mum of four)
> >  
> 
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> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> Visit  to subscribe
> or unsubscribe.
> 




 
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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Sue Cookson]

Where are all those sound-proofed labour rooms so we can bellow to our 
hearts content without worrying about the 'neighbours'?

Who designs these places anyway?

I remember feeling like I bellowed so loudly that my mudbrick house 
shook! I'm sure the whole valley heard me as I struggled to hold on 
through a stormy 1.5 hour labour. I didn't make as much noise fourth 
time around - different labour different baby different needs.


Labour is so dynamic!!

Sue







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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[brendamanning]

Ahh
Analgesia for caregivers pain now there's a novel thought (NOT).
Sometimes I think 50% of analgesia is given for exactly that reason Honey,
shame, shame, shame...

Brenda


- Original Message - 
From: "Honey Acharya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 2:38 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth



The other issue is caregivers who are not comfortable with birth noises
themselves.
If they make some comment or encourage an epidural or pethidine becaue 
THEY

can't handle it.
I had a midwife make a comment to me at a birth once ( I was the doula) 
and
I was shocked that she couldn't relax with the noises and see them as 
normal

and necessary for some women.
Perhaps they should inject themselves with the pethidine and leave the
woman to it.
Honey


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Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. 


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Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Honey Acharya]

The other issue is caregivers who are not comfortable with birth noises
themselves.
If they make some comment or encourage an epidural or pethidine becaue THEY
can't handle it.
I had a midwife make a comment to me at a birth once ( I was the doula) and
I was shocked that she couldn't relax with the noises and see them as normal
and necessary for some women.
 Perhaps they should inject themselves with the pethidine and leave the
woman to it.
Honey


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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[JoFromOz]

brendamanning wrote:


So true.
Self control is not always an appropriate thing.
Women who need to be "good" girls( for the reasons we all know about) 
have to use alot of self control in labour, it's really hard work for 
them, sad.


Brenda, that's very true.  I had a homebirth 2 months ago, and I 
remember in late 1st stage, to the beginning of 2nd stage I was trying 
to get through one contraction with just breathing.  Not a chance.  I 
NEEDED to make my long low moans.  I physically couldn't stop it coming 
out.  I gave up trying, and it was a lot less hard work!  I couldn't 
imagine giving birth in hospital and feeling like I should think of the 
other women next door who I might be scaring!


Jo
Mum to Will, 2 months old :)  (and a midwife in a past life ;))

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Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Luke M Priddis]

Thanks Belinda,

That's so true, and thanks so much for reminding me of that issue. I really 
appreciate everyone's viewpoint and help on this matter, seems there is a 
lot more to it than I originally thought.


Is your study complete yet?

Holly

- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in labour. 
A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated fears women 
have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use drugs or 
epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly" once the drugs 
shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens reflections of 
labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think this is important 
to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant, neat, tidy as in 
NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens fears and the choices 
they then make for labour. It is a great shame that women have particular 
expectations of their behavior that is in no way reassuring, okay, normal, 
wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on 
here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts element 
on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it can be 
beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!), and what 
society/media find or portray as being acceptable.

 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point of 
information and inspiration : )

 Holly (mum of four)



--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.




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Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[brendamanning]

So true.
Self control is not always an appropriate thing.
Women who need to be "good" girls( for the reasons we all know about) have 
to use alot of self control in labour, it's really hard work for them, sad.


Brenda
- Original Message - 
From: "Belinda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth


one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in labour. 
A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated fears women 
have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use drugs or 
epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly" once the drugs 
shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens reflections of 
labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think this is important 
to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant, neat, tidy as in 
NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens fears and the choices 
they then make for labour. It is a great shame that women have particular 
expectations of their behavior that is in no way reassuring, okay, normal, 
wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on 
here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts element 
on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it can be 
beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!), and what 
society/media find or portray as being acceptable.

 Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point of 
information and inspiration : )

 Holly (mum of four)



--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. 


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This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Re: [ozmidwifery] sounds during labour/birth

[Belinda]

one thing that is coming out of literature which asks women about their 
fears is that women significantly worry about how they will act in 
labour. A huge Italian study found that it is one of the highest rated 
fears women have. In my study it is certainly a reason that women use 
drugs or epidural, or find relief in that they stop "behaving badly" 
once the drugs shut them up/enable compliance. A huge part of womens 
reflections of labour iis embarresssment in how they "behaved". I think 
this is important to address because the idea of being quiet, compliant, 
neat, tidy as in NOT messy, leaky noisy sweaty - really drives womens 
fears and the choices they then make for labour. It is a great shame 
that women have particular expectations of their behavior that is in no 
way reassuring, okay, normal, wonderful, strong and vital to birth.

Belinda

Luke M Priddis wrote:


Hi all,
 
I'm a 1st year student midwife in NSW, i have asked a few questions on 
here before! I'm doing a group presentation with a creative arts 
element on the sounds women make during labour and birth - eg, how it 
can be beneficial, how some women don't make any noise (like myself!), 
and what society/media find or portray as being acceptable.
 
Has anyone come across any research on this, read any good articles?
 
Thanks for any help you may have, I find this group a fantastic point 
of information and inspiration : )
 
Holly (mum of four)
 


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