Birth Preparation Using Three Approaches to a Better, Easier, Less Stressful Birth

Written by Madolyn Linka | April 15, 2020

Back in March I was set to take a one-day course through Spinning Babies, a technique system developed by Gail Tully, a midwife out of the United States. Gail developed the technique of Spinning Babies almost 20 years ago and has taught many birth professionals and mothers alike the knowledge and education to help create more of a proactive approach to birth preparation; helping mothers optimize the physical relationship between their body and their baby for an easeful birth experience. 

Since our course was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to do my own little course work on Spinning Babies and how it can help me in my practice with my pregnant mamas in the clinic and in prenatal yoga setting. 

Spinning Babies has an enormous amount of knowledge and information, but I’ll focus on the basics for prenatal and birth preparation as they are found online.

The three principles of Spinning Babies are: 

  1. Balance – creating a balanced pregnant body so there is optimal alignment in the uterus so baby can grow within the pelvis taking up only as much space as they need; think not too tight not too loose. We want to keep the body strong but also find subtle ways to release tight ligaments or muscles that might pull or twist the pelvis. 

  2. Gravity – this is one we have little control over, yet it is such a dominant force throughout pregnancy with a growing baby. The better in balance and in alignment the pelvis is with strength and mobility the easier gravity will be able to do its job, which is keep babies head down and keep mom moving. 

  3. Movement – the final principle and the one that is sometimes difficult to do when in pain, discomfort, or lack of energy. But it’s the small movements that make the largest difference with a changing pregnant body. Prenatal yoga is a great way to relax, strengthen and move your body in a conscious way. 

Prenatal yoga is a great asset to your birth preparation; at Holistic, we offer a prenatal yoga class 4x/year so you can catch it at the beginning, middle or end of your pregnancy journey. Each week has a different theme where we run through some common conditions, breath work, frequently asked questions and mom knowledge you’ll find useful when labouring, delivering and in the postpartum stages of your pregnancy. Movement is key in prenatal yoga as we aim to open the body, create space where baby is now growing and connect to the new life inside of us. Our current prenatal series is being run online and we hope to have our next prenatal available in person come June 2020. 

Lastly, chiropractic care and pelvic adjustments can reduce or resolve pregnancy discomforts such as back pain, hip and groin pain, sciatic symptoms and overall increased ease throughout your pregnancy. Chiropractic helps with optimal fetal positioning by helping the pelvis come into symmetry or be equal. This in turn, helps the uterus to be more symmetrical. Adjustments can help the baby fit into the brim of the mothers pelvis better as well as making the pelvis more flexible so that pelvic joints move more easily in labor. 

Using these three helpful tools during your pregnancy or birth preparation, can help make your journey more enjoyable as you bring your new little person into the world. It can help to focus your attention to the task at hand and also help the body cope with the ever changing physical environment. 

 

Madolyn Linka

 

Dr. Madolyn Linka

Dr. Madolyn Linka D.C., B.A. (KIN), Acupuncture Provider, Yoga Instructor

From a young age, Dr. Madolyn Linka has put health at the forefront of much of what she done. The outcome of not staying physically and mentally active was that she wouldn’t be able to do the things she loved and made her happiest. This mantra has helped shape Dr. Linka into the doctor and teacher she is today, so she can continue to help others on their health and healing journey.

With a bachelor of arts degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, a doctorate of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and a dedicated yoga practice and teaching background, Dr. Linka has a deep and thorough understanding of the human body and its potential to excel and exceed physical, mental and emotional barriers. Dr. Linka believes in the innate ability for the body to survive and thrive and when we keep our bodies strong and resilient we can take on any challenge life has in store.

Moving through a well-versed patient-led history, Dr. Linka will help hone in on your chief health complaint. A physical examination is always preformed which will clarify what structures, joints, nerves and tissues are affected, helping to form a diagnosis and furthermore to find a solution helping you optimize your healing potential through an individualized treatment journey.


Dr. Linka is a diversified doctor of chiropractic, specializing in an adjustment style called Thompson Technique systems, which implements a drop table approach which helps the body calibrate the input stimulus more successfully into the central nervous system. Dr. Linka also utilizes extremity-adjusting, kinesiotaping for pregnancy and injury, custom orthotics, as well as contemporary acupuncture in her practice as a chiropractor.

When you don’t see Dr. Linka at Holistic, she is often guiding yogis at Modo Yoga Saskatoon, walking along the riverbed trails with her partner, traveling to new and foreign places, taking a pilates class at The Movement YXE, or serving the Rosewood community at Circle Chiropractic Lakewood.

https://www.drmadolynlinka.com
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Preparing for Birth with Acupuncture

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Prenatal and Postpartum Care via Tele-health