"The female pelvis has very distinct landmarks called the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). It is here that I loved firm and confident pressure during later stage surges. Essentially, this manual technique drastically reduces the intense contractions experienced during the later stage of labor. Hip squeezes help push the ilia together which helps relieve pressure on the sacroiliac joint. Touch during labor has been shown to decrease muscle tension, provide reassurance, reduce anxiety, enhances a women’s sense of control, distracts a mama from pain, and decreases blood pressure in labor. When mama is provided labor support she is less likely to experience the need of pain medication during labor, has a 26% decreased chance of a cesarean birth, and was 41% less likely to have instrumental deliveries. The literature on hip squeezes suggests the following steps: 1) Mama is standing, kneeling, or leaning over a bed (I used a birth ball, birth tub, or couch). 2) Place your hands on the iliac crest and gluteal muscles, and finger tips pointing to midline. 3) Provide pressure toward the sacrum, or moving hands toward each other, throughout the contraction. I recommend using this manual technique to hip squeezes in early labor when baby is approaching the inlet. During this time, the ilia open outward and the sacral base moves backward or counter nutates to allow baby to enter the pelvis. This manual technique will encourage the opening of the inlet and reduce sensation of pain or intensity from contractions." -@drrachaelelizabeth 📷@geburtsfotografie.wiesbaden @thepositivepregnancyjourney
