How Clothespins Work.

It’s Comforting Touch season around here and I’m loving it.

I realized some of my most favorite moments of class are those when a participant ends up teaching ME something, which happens a lot!

Yesterday I learned a perfect way to explain to expectant parents how our counter-pressure as doulas works.

One student asked because she noticed some of her clients’ partners looking on in horror with the amount of pressure we can use when our clients are in labor.

I often say you could drill a hole through her pelvis during labor and it would barely be enough pressure.

Not all, but many people want shockingly deep pressure during contractions.

But to an outsider of our profession it can beg the question, are you sure you’re not smushing the baby?!

Here’s where one of yesterday’s participants shared this gem.

She just tells her clients and their partners, think of it like a clothespin. When you press, it doesn’t squash anything in fact it actually helps the other end open, just like our counter-pressure helps the birthing person’s pelvis open.

Such a simple and clear analogy.

In fact if you want to see a great video that teaches one of the best clothespin moves and how to do it with minimal effort check out this link here.

This video is just one of a bunch of videos that can be found in my Comforting Touch for Birth guidebook that’s useful for both birth pros and parents-to-be to prepare for birth.

Check it out and maybe get a copy for yourself or someone you love.

And I hope you enjoy this fun photo above from yesterday's class. Foot massages are the best!