Summary of a workshop given to midwives at the Blinson Medical Center
The Formation of Human Life
The story begins with the sperm and egg joining together to create one and only cell.
This cell continues to multiply in the latency of the maternal uterus.
A single cell gives rise to masses of other cells, but these masses act as one entity,
as a community, as a baby, as a person.
Even with the increase in scientific knowledge, we still do not have a complete explanation for the emergence of life in the womb.
Biologists clearly identify the sequence of reproductive events – but they only know what happens. They do not know how or why what happens.
Conception, Embryo, and Birth
At every stage of the early stages of pregnancy, there are potential risks and challenges
It is necessary to understand the development of the embryo.
There are many different approaches to the meaning and deep understanding of the subject of conception and the formation of life. Some argue that all of life is a repetition and continuity of what happened during conception, implantation, and pregnancy, until birth, and the process of birth itself.
These approaches are holistic, psychophysiological, and psychophysical. Especially an approach called the Swiss Neo-Reich that claims significant importance of the conception process, and that it is the one that will affect the continuation of life.
In this approach, apart from the great importance of the egg and sperm and the process of connection between them, another important connection is the entry of the soul, or the energetic life force.
There are also evolutionary approaches.
Craniosacral therapists mostly see the importance of understanding and recognizing the process of the connection of the egg, sperm, conception, and cerebrospinal fluid, in terms of the formation of the primary midline, cell division, and the construction of the midline and cerebrospinal fluid. A midline that will later affect the development of all internal membranes, the nervous system and its function, the endocrine system, and in particular the pituitary gland, the bony spine, the base of the skull, and all the bones of the skull, the sacrum and the pelvis, and the interrelationships between all components as one integrative living unit. In addition, the importance of conception and the midline in terms of development and consciousness.
The primary element that is important for us in embryonic development that allows for existence, information for the continued formation of life, and consciousness unique to each is the cerebrospinal fluid. When there is only the midline as a central membrane, and within it is fluid.
There is no doubt that the developing fetus is a delicate creature that is absolutely aware of the nature and quality of the things that are happening around it and reacts to them.
Any trauma that a woman experiences during her pregnancy, from the process of conception, implantation, and birth, including falls, car accidents, mental stress, toxicity from various medications and substances, and more, may also be experienced by the developing fetus.
Craniosacral therapy is of great importance to the pregnant woman, the fetus itself, and both of them together as an inseparable unit. The goal is to allow deep relaxation of the central and autonomic nervous systems, thereby allowing deep relaxation of tensions in the tissues, stress relief, and mental relaxation.
The birth process is one of the most exciting and formative events in our lives.
At the time of birth, the newborn is subjected to tremendous compression on its journey from the pelvis outward – this process can have a tremendous impact on the proper and full functioning of the craniosacral system mechanism, or as we call it, the primary respiratory system of life.
These compression actions, which depend on various factors such as the position of the fetus and the structure of the pregnant woman’s pelvis, have such a tremendous and significant impact that they may leave behind compressions and pressures that will determine and affect our lives as adults. For example:
If at birth the baby is exposed to stress as a result of the head being compressed out of the pelvis at an angle that causes pressure on the bones and pressure and tension on the internal membranes in a way that they do not release, the structure of his body, his breathing, and the shaping of his soul may be organized accordingly.
The accumulation of stress and tension that originates from the birth process is a common issue for us.
Even more so during an unusual and traumatic pregnancy and birth process.
It is highly recommended that every baby be examined by a craniosacral therapist immediately after birth or approximately three weeks after birth.
A qualified and professional craniosacral therapist first checks whether there are any signs and, based on their diagnosis, decides on the method of treatment.
Craniosacral therapy is of great importance in traumatized situations for the gradual development of internal resources of strength and power, for relaxation and release.
Also strengthens the general nervous system.
Tips for observing the newborn
As midwives, try as much as possible to pay attention and feel the natural compressive force coming from the newborn and the mother until delivery. Only intervene when there is really no choice.
Either way, when the newborn comes out and as soon as you, the midwife, can, while holding the baby on your forearm, gently place two fingers on the sacrum and two fingers very gently on the upper mesentery with the intention of feeling the movement of the phalanx membrane, the compression and relaxation, the cranial pulse, and the short pauses. These pauses are important and allow for release.
Routine reference to the newborn’s condition:
When the newborn is resting or sleeping
- Observe the newborn’s skull in the upper part and face, and identify if there is asymmetry.
- Observe the chest, including the neck, and identify if there is a torsional deviation between the head and the pelvis.
- Place the gloved little finger on the roof of the pharynx below the vomer and feel the strength of the suction.
Craniosacral Pregnancy and Childbirth – Pregnancy
One of the main characteristics of pregnancy is a gradual increase in body weight. This weight gain creates a load on the spine and skeleton as a whole, including all connective tissues, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
The pelvic ligaments, connective tissues, and muscles gradually expand and prepare the pelvis for birth. The body prepares itself for birth.
Other important characteristics are the hormonal and nervous changes, and the emotional world of the pregnant woman is full of excitement, anticipation, tension, concerns, and fears. This is a significant period of change and adaptation. Craniosacral therapy provides a solution to all of these in a gentle and safe way.
The gentle treatment significantly helps to calm the central and autonomic nervous systems, thereby affecting the relaxation of muscles and all tissues in the body.
The treatment allows for a deep sense of security and relaxation despite the changes and stress.
As a result, significant physical relief and emotional and mental well-being are felt.
The recommendation for treatment is from week 16.
Craniosacral Pregnancy and Childbirth – Postpartum
Craniosacral therapy supports and enables rebalancing after childbirth.
The treatment greatly helps in releasing accumulated tension as a result of mental stress, fatigue, and prolonged muscle and ligament contraction.
Releasing these tensions is of great and significant importance in returning the pelvis and sacrum to their previous state, restoring and strengthening the tissues and muscles, and significantly relieving lower back pain left over from childbirth – the pelvis and everything related to it can return to balance.
The position of the uterus can also return to balance, which can save ongoing pelvic pain and repercussions for the entire body.
Craniosacral therapy supports and enables the release of tension, fear, and emotional burdens that have accumulated before and during childbirth.
In addition, the treatment is very effective in releasing toxins and harsh effects from various substances, such as the epidural.
Often, the duration of the effort affects the nervous system, which may cause feelings of fatigue, exhaustion, and postpartum depression.
The main focus and treatment focus of craniosacral therapy for postpartum women are:
- To bring about deep relaxation that will allow the nervous system to rest and the muscles and ligaments to relax physically, in addition to quieting thoughts, fatigue, and mental distress.
This relaxation is provided in craniosacral therapy by listening to the longitudinal cranial pulse and the centers of pause and silence.
- To release the 3 diaphragms that store tension and significantly reduce the natural vitality of the cranial pulse, of the nervous system of strength and calm.
Tips for working with pregnant women
For the pregnant woman – general
- Relaxing tension by listening to normal breathing –
Monitoring abdominal breathing between contractions will allow for focus and relaxation and reduce pain
Instruct the mother to place the hand that is comfortable for her on the abdomen below the navel towards the pubic bone, and accompany the rise and fall of the abdomen and count cycles of up to 10.
- Return to the midline as a source of anchor and strength –
To guide and direct the mother’s attention to the contour and alignment of the spine, and to lean on it and draw strength from it like a flowing stream
While guiding the mother, the midwife places one hand under the sacrum and one hand under the ribcage transversely and listens to the heartbeat back and forth longitudinally.
- To relieve and calm pain and tension – listen to the fronto-occipital from the side
Sit by the side of the mother in labor while she is lying on her back and place one hand under the neck along the occiput line and the other hand on the frontal forehead, and listen to the heartbeat, the gentle compression in the back of the neck, and the expansion to be like a cork on water.
- To calm the nervous system and all tissues in the body – listen to the ethmoid to the sacrum longitudinally
When the woman in labor is lying on her side or half-side, place one hand on the sacrum and the other hand on the forehead with the index finger pointing to the ethmoid bone as a reminder of the location of the phalanx membrane.
Listen to the longitudinal cardiac beat from top to bottom and back again.
Also try to identify the pauses.
For the pregnant woman during labor
With the mother lying on her back or half-side:
- Listen to the sacrum-pubic – hand under the transverse sacrum and upper hand on the pubic line
Listen to normal breathing and warmth, and if possible, expand as a kind of expansion and to the cardiac beat.
- Fronto-occipital – when you are on the side, place a hand on the occiput line and an upper hand on the frontal bone of the forehead – listen to the breathing and the heartbeat for compression, relaxation, and expansion.
- Listen to the longitudinal ethmoid-sacrum for relaxation and relief from tension and pain, and strengthening internal forces
- As above,,, No. 4 for the pregnant woman General
If the pregnant woman is standing or kneeling:
- Stand/kneel behind the woman near/at the level of the sacrum and place both hands on the sacrum in a triangle shape and listen for compressions, relaxations, and cranial pulsations.
- Place one hand in front of the woman in labor along the pubic line and one hand on the sacrum transversely – as above.
