Preparing for birth...

Below is an exerpt from Grantly Dick-Read's Childbirth without Fear, the chapter on emergency birth...My Grandmother read this book, my mother, now me...

"...Then, wherever she is, in a wayside ditch or a ruin-covered cellar, in a stranger's house, a caravan, or tent, she should find a place to sit down and lean her back against-wall, bank, or any available support. She should pull up her knees and rest...on a folded coat, a bunch of leaves, or anything that will lift her slightly off the ground...If left alone in labour, she may escape one of the greatest causes of trouble, which is interference by those around who, being kind but misinformed, feel they must do something for her. The safest medical attendant in such an emergency is nature, by whom woman has been marvelously equipped for this purpose. The baby is not to be interfered with by its mother's mind or a volunteer assistant's hand. Just courage and patience are required, and faith in God, if she is a believer, to produce a healthy baby and be a happy mother.

As the woman sits and waits patiently for the baby, she will soon feel a desire to push down. At first the effort to push must be very gentle. She should only take a deep breath and hold it, without pushing...When the desire to bear down becomes too strong to resist, she may begin to push firmly, but not too hard, and without expecting immediate results...

As the contraction fades she will relax sleepily, first taking two deep in and out breaths, then quietly resting until the next effort begins. Her drowsiness may be so deep that her mind is concentrated only on the one task of producing her child. I have seen women during air raids who, although by nature nervous people, were not disturbed by the noise of the flashes of the bombs that rocked the walls about us. On one occasion, being disconcerted myself by the volume and proximity of missiles, I was slow to notice the onset of my patients next contraction. She said testily, "Another push, doctor. Come on, don't worry about the noise!"

Just before the head can be seen some women have a strong desire to "escape" the impending birth. When this occurs the woman should remember to ignore the feeling and push firmly for the next 2 or at the most 3 contractions. Such concentrated expulsive efforts to help the contraction will quickly overcome the temporary discomfort and desire to escape...

...The outlet must be relaxed and allowed toe bulge as it will. She must not bear down any more. Instead, she should breathe short breaths in and out, letting the abdominal muscles stay relaxed...

As the baby emerges into the world face downward, the woman should lean over and put one hand on the area...so that the forehead of the child pass gently into her waiting hand. She can thus support her baby's head as it arrives...She must remember to help the baby upward and over, using her second hand to support the baby's body as it emerges.

...If she is alone or with inexperienced people, she must not become excited or hurried. Slowness, quietness, and gentleness are the qualities of a good delivery...

...The dignity and control of childbirth can be maintained even in circumstances incredibly different from our accepted standards...A woman must remember that faith is not only an ethical and emotional acquisition. It is also a state of mind, which creates withing the body physical harmony in the activities of living that maintain the highest standard of health and resistance to disease."

Grantly Dick-Read, Childbirth Without Fear, Pg 236-239