forward leaning + the magic of the flow state during labor
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On forward leaning over a ball
Leaning over the ball is a restful way to stay upright during labor and one of many ways to open the pelvic inlet (the top of the pelvis). Balls during labor encourage movement like rocking forward or side to side. This movement and positioning allows gravity to support baby’s descent, which puts pressure on the cervix to encourage labor progression. Forward leaning may be also be helpful for taking the pressure off the low back when one is in “back labor” and may allow baby to rotate into an anterior position.
On the magic of the flow state during labor
As labor progresses from early to active, the gesture of turning inward often arises. This gesture is the ultimate surrender to the process of childbirth, invoking the power of intuition.
That word surrender triggered a release in my mind and body and I just let go. I stopped trying to “birth the right way,” or think my way out of pain. I just laid there and allowed my body to move through birth, and then it got easier. As the word “surrender” repeated in my mind, the breathing I had learned in my childbirth preparation class began to flow, my body organically moved into one of the positions I had been practicing.
The more I surrendered to birth, the more I intuitively knew what I needed, and how to go about getting it.
As the birthing person enters their flow state, they tend to develop a rhythm that takes them through the wave of contraction and subsequent rest period. This may look like rocking, moaning, curling around a partner’s hand during the intensity of the wave, followed by total silence and inward focus throughout each pause.
Have you seen this act of surrender or felt it for yourself? If so, what was this flow state like for you and how did it evolve throughout your labor?
As a birthing person gets into their labor flow they benefit most when their support team reinforces their rhythm or ritual while keeping interruptions to a minimum. Preferences tend to shift vastly between contraction and rest periods and as labor progresses. At times, a partner or doula may follow the birthing person using co-vocalization, gentle stroking massage patterns, whispers of affirmations and breathing together to encourage the rhythm. At other times, silence may be golden to help center the birthing person in their powerful inward flow.
To learn more about evidence-based positions for optimizing labor and delivery, check out my free childbirth position guide.
I invite you to learn more about how we can work together virtually to support your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum goals.
