Tuesday, July 24, 2007

The Ye'Kwana Hammock Method

Welcome birth junkie.com readers!!!


I have been asked to elaborate on the Hammock method I mentioned!

If you notice, in this picture behind Jackie, you will see a plaid hammock strung up. It is a hammock chair. You can hang any hammock in this way, or use one made specifically like this.

During the final stages of labor, when it is time to push, you can use the hammock in one of two ways,

1) The mother herself will sit in the hammock and use the sides to pull herself upright during the push. Or she may squat in front and use the hammock to grab to lift herself. This allows you to use gravity and the strength of your own arms. The husband would then be knelt in front and ready to receive the baby. This is the method Jackie and Brian used to deliver Abbie.


2) The other method is used more for labor up until the final stage. The husband would sit in the hammock as the wife squats in front. Usually with the trunk of a banana tree to sit on. Banana trunks are soft and squishy,thus more comfortable for the mother. During each contraction, the husband will help the mother to stand by holding her firmly from behind , under the arms. Thus, his strength and gravity do a lot of the work. If this method is used up until delivery, someone other than the father will receive the baby. (Usually, the missionary!)


Hmmm... they say the missionary forces their culture on the Indian... seems my kid took the Indian culture all the way to Paraguay with her!!!

21 comments:

Gayle said...

Sounds like a good method. I mean, using gravity to help with the birthing process makes a lot of sense, Rita. Still, I can't imagine it. I had such a hard time giving birth that all I wanted was drugs. When they wouldn't give them to me I tried knocking myself out on the headrail! It was the only time in my life that I ever had any interest at all in drugs. LOL!

Liz said...

Morning, Jungle Mom and Jungle family!!!

This is really what we -venezuelans- call giving birth like an indian (parir como una india). No drugs, no pain killers, no stiches.

What I find more amazing is that Jackie had a C section with Elena. I believed that after a CS, a woman could not do it naturally.

I'm very happy for all of you :-)

Pen of Jen said...

I am ever so impressed, and the closing comment is head on. The missionary learns as much if not more than they teach.

I am so happy that you were in Venezuela for Jackie to learn this!!

Sarah Joy said...

Thank you for the info-it's one of my pet subjects! I'm so happy that Jackie is able to have such a happy sweet memory of birthing. It's such an amzingly powerful and empowering experience. She looks happy and proud! What a blessing!

WomanHonorThyself said...

thanks Rita..brings back memories..ouch!LOL

SERENDIP said...

Thank you, Rita. Fascinating method and makes more sense to me.

Rita Loca said...

serendip, Yes, it works great! It is about the comfort of the mother rather than the medical attendees.

Teresa Maynard said...

Thank you so much for posting the precious phots. Such a blessing!!! Everyone looks like they're just fine and I know Jackie is glad Abbie is now on the outside of her. Congratulations to all!!!

Obob said...

my wife is a labor/delievery nurse, I'll ask her on this approach. From what I have seen and heard as a bystander, this makes sense

Jane said...

oh the simplicity of third world countries!!!! I long for that simplicity! Yes there are risk in not having the hospital, but life is full of risk. Have we in modern cultures lost much of life and it's lessons in not taking risk? There is so much freedom in not having to control the outcome of our daily lives! Yes, lots of hard work, but hard work is good for the body!

Thank you for the education you have given me... it has shed light into many areas of my life. Ex: We have friends that are moving to Australia for a 3 year work assignment....one of the questions their government asked was if they were going to be missionaries. Through your teaching/sharing, I have been taught that missionaries are not always welcomed. Most times, not wanted. Thank you!

Susan said...

It does sound like it would be more comfortable. I remember squatting a little with my first baby, and it felt soooo good - but my blood pressure was high and they made me lie down with my legs up. Looking back, it must have been that much harder for the baby to be born! LOL I'm glad Jackie had the courage and ability to give birth in such a natural way!

Jackie said...

A funny little blurb about positioning that I read in the "what to expect when your expecting" book. It says more or less... "Normally the birth position is on your back. That works out better for the doctor." In another chapter it said... "If you are on your way to the hospital and labor starts, get one your back. This position is known to slow down labor."

??????????

Mountain Mama said...

Thanks for the explanation. I have been wondering about the hammock birth. It's interesting that I remember my mother telling me that during labor she had a strong desire to squat, but the doctor wouldn't let her. It seems to me that the gravity issue should be considered, especially during labor.

Anonymous said...

I believe we learn the most from people who have the least.

It is sad that the medical profession makes women think they can not deliver naturally after a c/s. I had an emergency c/s (could not be avoided) with my first and went on to have a natural birth 17 months later and then 3 more in less than 4 yrs. Under most circumstances it can be done! multiple times! LOL

So happy for you all that I keep coming back to look at the beautiful pics! :)

~Autumn

Anonymous said...

AMAZING!!! And, when you ask L&D personnel if you can stand, they say no (this helps the baby move into the birth canal!!), and then, you get that seat belt monitor with a huge safety pin to make sure it is tight enough!!

We did the standing thing with midwives....I might add, my easiest of five births!!

Sis. Julie said...

Wow!! I've not heard of this method before. But it sounds very effective. Afterall....what better helper than gravity!!

M.J. said...

The only type of hammock I will need when God belsses us with a baby is the one to catch Scotty when he passes out!!! he he he

Michael said...

Interesting methodology.
With our first daughter, my wife squatted on the hospital bed when she decided that laying down was too uncomfortable.

She did do the epidural, though.

Brooke said...

It's amazing how much work gravity can do for a mom in labor!

CONGRATS!!!

FeathersMcGraw said...

Congratulations abuelita!!

Anonymous said...

Great share of a traditional assist.

mothercraft and midwifery forever