Labor “Cranium”: A game to
review and rehearse labor.
Supplies:
Print and cut out 3 or 4 sets of cards. If you can find them, get three
one-minute hourglass timers, otherwise have one person in each group act as
timekeeper.
Time: Allow
30 – 45 minutes for the full game.
Goal: Small
group interaction, a fun combination of: review of facts, role playing,
discussion of labor scenarios, and comfort technique
practice.
Divide the
couples up into small groups (2-4 couples per group; moms should be paired with
their support person). Give each group a packet of cards to draw randomly from.
Explain to them that they will be playing a game together, and describe the 4
types of cards.
Pop quiz: If
they draw a pop quiz card, they have one minute to talk together to come up with
the answer to the question. The goal is to review knowledge they already have.
If, as a team, they aren’t sure of an answer, they should call the instructor
over to confirm.
Labor
Practice: The card will describe a labor scenario. They should spend a few
minutes talking together about what stage of labor this is, and what might be
helpful. They agree on a breathing technique and a position to try out, and then
each mom works with her support person as they practice the breathing technique
and position for one minute.
Discussion:
The card will describe a scenario that you might have to cope with during labor,
and where you might have to advocate for yourself with the medical staff or
others. Read the scenario out loud, then the group can spend a few minutes
discussing how to handle it. There is no one right answer for any of these
situations, so the goal is to explore what the different options are, and which
would feel most comfortable to each of you as a couple.
Comfort
Technique Practice: The card will describe a specific comfort technique. Make
sure everyone in the group knows how to do it, then practice it for 1
minute.
|
A Pop Quiz Name
some of the signs that labor is starting. Are these possible signs of
labor may begin soon, or are they definite signs that labor has
begun? |
|
Labor Practice Session Contractions
are 12 minutes apart, and last 30 seconds. They’re uncomfortable, and you
have a hard time sitting still during contractions, but in between
contractions you can relax. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) |
|
For Discussion While
you were pregnant, a friend or relative offered to come help during labor.
You said yes because you didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Now that you’re
in active labor, she’s driving you crazy, and you cringe when she touches
you. What do you do? |
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Comfort Technique Practice What: Counterpressure How: Partner presses palm against mom’s sacrum (lower back) When to use? When mom has back pain during contractions. Practice for one minute. |
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A Pop Quiz What should you do when you are in early labor?
What shouldn’t you do in early labor? | ||||||||||
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Labor Practice Session It’s the middle of the night, and contractions are about 8 minutes apart, and 40 seconds long. They’re strong enough that you can’t sleep through them, but they’re pretty easy to manage as long as you’re awake. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
|
For Discussion You’re uncomfortable with the nurse who has been assigned to you. She doesn’t seem to value your opinion, or respect your choices about your labor. What do you do? | ||||||||||
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Comfort Technique Practice What: Touch
relaxation. How: Partners
watch for where mom seems to be tensing up her muscles. Touch her lightly
there, stroking until she relaxes the muscle. When to use?
Anytime… reduces tension, thus reducing pain. Practice for 1
minute. (Moms, purposely tense up a muscle, partners have to find
it.) | ||||||||||
|
A Pop Quiz What
are good things to eat when you are in early labor? What kinds of food
should you avoid in labor? | ||||||||||
|
Labor Practice Session Contractions
are 4 to 5 minutes apart, and lasting about 50 seconds. Mom is starting to
wince and breathe faster during contractions, and in between contractions,
she’s quiet and not wanting to talk much. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
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For Discussion You’re 6 days past your due date, and your doctor says that your labor could be induced. What questions do you ask to help you decide whether induction is a good idea? | ||||||||||
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Comfort Technique Practice What:
Double hip squeeze. How:
Partner places both hands on mom’s back. Press in and up, then hold for
the whole contraction. (Have instructor come over to show you
how.) When
to use? Anytime mom has back pain. Practice
3 or 4 times, holding for 15-20 seconds each time. | ||||||||||
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A Pop Quiz If you think you are in labor, when should you call your doctor? When should you go to the hospital? | ||||||||||
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Labor Practice Session Contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds, and are pretty intense. Mom wants to move and walk between contractions, but needs to stop walking during contractions. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
|
For Discussion You have had a very long labor, and you have now been pushing for two hours, and the baby is not yet born. Your doctor suggests that you may want to begin considering a cesarean birth. How would you feel? What questions would you ask the doctor? | ||||||||||
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What:
Pelvic Tilts
When
to use? Anytime in labor: can help baby move down, can reduce back pain,
can distract mom. Practice
for one minute. | ||||||||||
|
A Pop Quiz When
you arrive at the hospital, where should you park? Where do you go in the
hospital to check in? | ||||||||||
|
Labor Practice Session Contractions are irregular: mom will have two or three right in a row, then a long pause, then 2 or 3 more. She’s feeling a lot of pain in her lower back during contractions, and some back pain even in between contractions. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
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For Discussion You’re home alone in the middle of the day. Your labor begins suddenly, with contractions only 3 minutes apart, 60 seconds long, and very intense. What do you do? | ||||||||||
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What:
The Lunge How:
Mom puts one foot up on chair, rocks. When
to use? Anytime in labor. Helps baby move
down and rotate. Practice
for one minute. | ||||||||||
|
A Pop Quiz Name
the three stages of labor. Talk
about the three different phases of stage 1. | ||||||||||
|
Labor Practice Session Contractions
are only 2-3 minutes apart, and lasting up to 90 seconds. Mom is shaking,
and nauseous, and feels very overwhelmed by the
labor. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
|
For Discussion You have thrown up a few times, and are wondering whether to be concerned about dehydration. Nurse says an IV is an option. What signs should you look for to see if you’re well hydrated? What could you do to make sure you get enough fluids? | ||||||||||
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Comfort Technique Practice
What:
Supported Squat How:
See pictures. When
to use? Anytime, especially while
pushing. Practice
for one minute. | ||||||||||
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A Pop Quiz What
should a support person offer a mom after every contraction? What should
he remind her to do once every hour? | ||||||||||
|
Labor Practice Session Mom’s
cervix has just been checked, and she’s at 10 cm, and the doctor is in the
room. Mom has the Urge to Push. (Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
|
For Discussion Prior to labor, mom-to-be had said that she did not want to use pain medication. During labor, she hits a point where she is overwhelmed and doesn’t feel like she’s coping well with the pain, and she’s afraid the pain will get worse as labor moves on. What do you do? | ||||||||||
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Comfort Technique Practice What:
Progressive relaxation. How:
Partner tells mom to tense up her toes, then relax them. Then tense up her
feet, then relax. Then her legs, her belly, her shoulders, her arms, her
hands, her face. When
to use? In early labor. Helps mom notice where she is tense and helps her
remember to relax her tense muscles. Each
couple practices. Takes a few minutes to do whole process.
| ||||||||||
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A Pop Quiz What should you do if your water breaks? | ||||||||||
|
Labor Practice Session Mom
is dilated to 10 cm, and the baby is coming quickly. As it crowns, mom
feels the “ring of fire” – a burning sensation around baby’s head.
(Group
members discuss: what stage of labor is this? what is helpful at this
point? Agree on 1) a breathing technique and 2) a position to try. Practice for one
minute.) | ||||||||||
|
For Discussion Prior to labor, mom-to-be had decided she wanted to have an epidural in labor, but wanted to wait until she was at least 5 cm dilated, in order to minimize the risks and side effects of epidural. Now, in labor, she is only 3 cm dilated, but is having a hard time coping with contractions. What do you do? | ||||||||||
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Comfort Technique Practice What:
Take Charge Routine How:
Ask mom to look in your eyes, and breathe with you. Do counted hee-hee-blows. Be as calm and confident as
possible. When
to use? During transition, if mom’s not coping well. Practice
for one minute. |
Comfort Technique
Practice
