Rebozos, Birth Balls and other goodies
It is said that a doula's most important tools are her hands and her voice. I could not agree more. Even so, there are still times when additional tools can add comfort to the laboring mother. I will begin with my favorite, the rebozo!
When I first heard of a "rebozo" of course I thought of Bozo the Clown and said "ooookayyyy".
 When I saw, however, that Polly Perez had an entire set of cards devoted to the use of the rebozo, I knew that I needed to take another look and see what it was about. The rebozo, put simply, is a Mexican shawl that can be used as a shawl, a baby carrier, a pregnancy comfort aid, a labor tool, a head covering, you name it. You can find much more about them at The Rebozo Way Project and Birth With Sol . If you choose to set up a prenatal meeting, one thing we will do will be to play around with the rebozo so you can see how it might be helpful in both late pregnancy and in labor. This was the tool that my first client relied on as it was able to provide a greater counterpressure to her hips than my arms alone could do. I have the rebozo and cards, but there are DVD's and books available, too. If you think you will be babywearing or nursing, then you may want to pick up one of these, because it will make a very special keepsake by the time you've used it during pregnancy, labor & delivery, and then as a sling/nursing cover, etc.
The Birth Ball is yet another l&d tool that is great for use in the prenatal and postpartum periods. Prenatally, it serves as a very comfortable chair; you will also avoid the bucket seat position which encourages a posterior presentation. Your abdominals and your back will be strengthened when sitting on this ball! A well-made birth ball will support up to 880 pounds (this is not your Wal-Mart bought cheapie exercise ball!). A birth ball can be used for opening up your pelvis, helping your baby rotate from posterior to anterior, and strengthening your legs in preparation for squatting during labor. Lean on it during labor while on your knees to relieve some of the aching in your back. Bounce on it to find your contraction-coping rhythm and open up your pelvis; in the meantime gravity will be working on your baby, helping her move further and further down! Do you think you will receive an epidural? Hug a small birthball to help bow your back for epidural placement. Postpartum, the ball will be wonderful for soothing Baby, and as an aid for regaining your muscle tone. As baby grows you'll find that he likes to play on it, and it works wonders for developing his abdominal muscles! Polly Perez has a super book on the birth ball which is in my lending library.
My next favorite tool would be my hands' assistants: lotion,oil, a massage ball, and a soft bodybrush. Massage can feel so good to a laboring Mom and gentle wafts of ginger or lavender aid in relaxing and focusing her during her hard work. The hairless parts of the body transmit pleasure to your brain more quickly than the pain of labor can be transmitted. I might massage your feet, or your palms. I might brush your palms or the underside of your arms (between the elbow and wrist) with the bodybrush. I might use a special pressurepoint on the back of your neck with slight pressure on your forehead. I've gotten great thumbs up with that one!
These are not my only tools, but they are my favorites. If there is something you think you'd like, by all means bring it up. I'm always willing to learn and try new things!
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