Intrapartum Care

Carol Gray on Epidurals at MamaSpace Yoga

More About Epidurals

By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 I have been thinking a lot about epidural anesthesia for childbirth. Among those who have experienced it, birth is almost universally described as painful. Who wouldn’t want a drug or procedure that takes away the pain? Clearly, most pregnant people in America want this. It is by far the mainstream way to give birth. When Did It All Begin? What I’m wondering about

Fetal Constraint: How Culture Immobilizes Babies by Carol Gray at MamaSpace Yoga

Fetal Constraint: How Culture Immobilizes Babies

By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 This is the fourth installment of the stuck baby series. Last week I described the fetal factors (ways babies get themselves stuck). The week before I discussed maternal factors. Three weeks ago I covered engagement and explained why it’s pathology. Next week I’ll go over how fetal constraint affects labor and birth. Stay tuned! Today I’m going to discuss cultural factors that reduce

Fetal Factors: How Babies Get Themselves Stuck by Carol Gray at MamaSpace Yoga

Fetal Factors: How Babies Get Themselves Stuck

By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 There are many things that contribute to fetal constraint (stuck babies). Any one of them can operate independently, but usually there are multiple causes for less than optimal fetal positioning that have synergistic or additive effects. As I continue to explore the multiple causes, I will provide examples of how these things can work in concert to prevent babies from moving into more

Why Did My Baby Get Stuck? By Carol Gray at MamaSpace Yoga

Why Did My Baby Get Stuck?

It’s not because your pelvis is too small… By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 When I consider how babies fit into — and through — a maternal pelvis I view it from three perspectives: midwifery, bodywork and yoga. As a midwife I generally know more about birth than many bodyworkers. As a bodyworker I know more about how, anatomically and bio-mechanically, a baby fits into and ultimately through a

My Baby Dropped by Carol Gray at MamaSpace Yoga

My Baby Dropped!

By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 “My baby dropped!!” People usually say this with great enthusiasm when it happens. I’ve never really understood why people rejoice about their babies dropping. Why Do They Think This Is So Cool? Do they think that this is proof they won’t be pregnant until the end of time after all? Do they think that their labors will be shorter because the baby is

CST for the Perinatal Period by Carol Gray at MamaSpace Yoga

Craniosacral Therapy for the Perinatal Period

By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 In my other life I’m a bodyworker and bodywork teacher. When I taught in-person prenatal yoga classes, my students often asked me about the benefits of bodywork during pregnancy. They wanted to know more about Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and how it can help. Today I’ll explain it. Why Should People Get Bodywork During Pregnancy and Postpartum? Studies show that people who receive loving

The Importance of YOUR Village (not your kiddo’s) by Olivia Spitzer at MamaSpace Yoga

Your Village Built By You

By Guest Blogger, Olivia Spitzer We have all heard the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” As new parents, a big piece of your work is identifying who will be included in your child’s village. During (and even before) pregnancy, you are already thinking about which grandparents will be available to you for support. You know which friends will serve as aunties or uncles. You find a

10 Things You May Not Know About Home Brth By Dr. Lisa Jewell, DC at MamaSpace Yoga

10 Things You May Not Know About Home Birth

By Guest Blogger, Dr. Lisa Jewell, DC YOU’RE PLANNING A HOME BIRTH?! People’s reaction when I told them I was planning a home birth was always the same, “You’re choosing to give birth with no drugs?! Aren’t you afraid?!” and now when I share my birth story it’s, “Wow, good for you. I could never do that!” or even the occasional, “Are you crazy?! Didn’t that hurt?!” The answers to

Postpartum Doulas Fill the Healthcare Gap During COVID and Beyond at MamaSpace Yoga

Postpartum Doulas Fill the Healthcare Gap During COVID and Beyond

By Guest Blogger, Marnellie Bishop The arrival of a global pandemic on America’s shores has quickly and glaringly brought to light the dangers of the US healthcare system. The COVID-19 crisis made it painfully clear that our medical institutions are failing a significant portion of our citizens. Sadly, postpartum doulas have known this for a long time. Fortunately, these newborn specialists are ready and able to support the whole family