Curriculum Topic: Group Activity, Educator Demonstration, Student Demonstration, Practice
Activity Type: Healthy Birth Practice 1, Anatomy, Pregnancy
Supplies: Posters or handbooks showing comfort positions in pregnancy
Instructions:
Demonstration and Return Demonstration of Comfort Positions: Show pictures and assign a position to each couple to try. You may then turn to each couple as a model for the rest of the class as you discuss uses of that position and possible variations, using pillows when helpful.
Talking Points:
As babies grow and develop in utero, mothers’ bodies change, and a new “normal” comes about for her. Teaching comfort positions early in your first class will let students know you are going to teach them something they can use! You will gain their attention if you tend to their needs. Asking them to bring a bag full of pillows to class is a good start, but be sure that you give them an opportunity to use them. Six pillows is none too many when they assume some of the positions for comfort and relaxation. A pillow or two may add comfort to the seat of the chairs of your classroom, or students may prefer to discard their chairs to “nest” on the floor or sit on a ball.
“Fitness balls” are often found in gyms and homes as a standard piece of exercise equipment. They are also used in birthing rooms, where they are referred to as “birth balls,” or “labor balls.” Many childbirth educators encourage pregnant women to use them throughout the childbearing year. Having plenty of these balls available for each class aids comfort and helps students become familiar with the many ways that they can be used in labor.
Listen to and acknowledge students’ growing complaints and help them find ways to be as comfortable as possible in class, when sleeping, and in labor. If they learn to tune in to the needs of their bodies in your class, they may be able to help themselves more in labor.
Modifications:
Divide into small groups and ask each group to assist one person into a comfortable position. The group may present to the class what they learned from their model.
Place position posters on the wall and ask students to move from station to station with their pillows, duplicating the positions in ways they find comfortable.
If you teach with PowerPoint, find pictures of pregnant women in various comfort positions. Drop these into your presentation and when each picture is showing, give the class time to assume that position with their pillows, balls, or other props.
Reference: Adapted from Lamaze Toolkit
Return to Home