The intrapartum period is the time spanning childbirth, from the beginning of labor up to the expulsion of the placenta. In Thailand, this stage contains several steps to be taken by the traditional midwife. Additionally, the woman’s family members are allowed to support in the labor process, notably her husband or partner.
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For instance, before labor, the husband or partner would sit behind the pregnant woman, putting his legs astride to her shoulders. Thus, when contractions intensify, the woman can hold on to his thigh muscles giving her strength to push.
A midwife may also tie a piece of long cloth to the ceiling over the room which the woman in labor can use for support. It’s also believed that while a woman is in labor, all windows and doors of the room should be wide open because this will give an easy birth.
The woman should face East during the labor process because Thai people believe that the East is the direction of dawn, the symbol of birth and new life, whereas the West symbolizes death.
During labor, traditional midwives use specific herbs in combination with massage around the woman’s vaginal area to prevent tearing of vaginal tissue and/or the perineum. If the placenta stays longer than thirty minutes in the uterus, the midwife will put some specific herbal leaves in the mouth of the woman by which she will vomit and with that more easily deliver the placenta.
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One of the goals of applying Thai Massage during delivery is to take care that the pregnant woman relaxes her abdomen giving her enough energy to push during labor. Thai Massage is also used for pain relief. The massage techniques used by Thai traditional midwives are rather specific (see our article about Kud Thong Massage). Lots of acupressure is used for pain relief and emotional support, with the aim of the woman in labor feeling a sense of loving kindness, compassion, and equanimity.
Apart from pain reduction (pain which is caused by uterine contraction), massage can increase strength to push, give more mobility, and more range of motions of joints, nerves, muscles, and ligaments supporting a more trouble-free delivery.
Lots of pressure is given on the quadriceps which is one of the important techniques used to ease labor. Also, the feet may be used to compress the adductors and the hamstring muscles using so-called boat-pedaling Thai Massage techniques.
Pillows are placed under a woman’s neck and between her knees, to make her lie down more comfortable. With the palms, pressing up and down on both legs, spinal attachments are loosened to reduce pain and give more flexibility. Also thumb pressing would be used to press up and down from the iliac spine out to the hips, repeating these steps again and again.
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