A short childbirth guide

I've been reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I don't agree with everything but the more I read the more I get excited about labor and delivery! The section I just read was about her theory of Sphincter Law. Ina believes the following points:

• Excretory, cervical, and vaginal sphincters function best in an atmosphere of intimacy and privacy--for example, a bathroom with a locking door or a bedroom, where interruption is unlikely or imposable.
• These sphincters cannot be opened at will and do not respond well to commands (such as "Push!" or "Relax!"
• When a person's sphincter is in the process of opening, it may suddenly close down if that person becomes upset, frightened, humiliated, or self-conscious. Why? High levels of adrenaline in the bloodstream do not favor (sometimes they actually prevent) the opening of the sphincters. This inhibition factor is one important reason why women in traditional societies have mostly chosen other women--except in extraordinary circumstances--to attend them in labor and birth.
• The state of relaxation of the mouth and jaw is directly correlated to the ability of the cervix, the vagina, and the anus to open to full capacity.

She then goes on to talk about how a study was done with women to see if they could take a pee in their home while being observed (not an easy thing to do). They then took the same women into a hospital to pee while being observed. Not surprisingly, a high percentage of the women were unable to do it.

There is a lot of information in the book but these are the main points (with my goals for Christina's birth):

Sphincters Do Not Obey Orders

I want to deliver drug free so that I can a) know what is going on inside my body and b) know when it is time to push vs. someone commanding me to.

Sphincters Function Best in an Atmosphere of Familiarity and Privacy

This is one of the biggest reasons I want a home birth. I want my labor and birth to be in a relaxed setting with a few people who I am 100% comfortable with. In order for my body to relax I need to feel very safe and supported.

Sphincters May Suddenly Close When Their Owner Is Startled or Frightened

Ina has seen where the progress of birth was actually reversed after rough handeling by another doctor. And I've read other stories of birthing women who got scared in labor and halted or reversed their progress.

Laughter Helps Open the Sphincters

This is the best point! I really want to make birthing a fun experience! There are many things to get embarassed about but I hope I can meet them with a smile and laugh.

Ina writes about the connection between top and bottom: "A relaxed mouth means a more elastic cervix. Women whose mouths and throats are open and relaxed during labor and birth rarely need stiches after childbirth."

"On the other hand, women who grimace and clench their jaws while pushing have a greater tendency to tear, because their perineal tissues are more ridged."

"If you feel like grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, catch yourself! Take a deep breath and exhale, relaxing your mouth and throat muscles. This effect is enhanced with an audible sigh when you exhale. Make a sound pitched low enough to vibrate your chest."

"Singing will maximize the ability of the body's sphincters to open. The sounds that accomplish this best are the notes that come from as deep down in the body as possible, the ones that vibrate the entire chest."

"I can say this categorically--I have never noticed anyone's cervix remain tight and unyeilding while speaking loving and positive words."

"...I have also found that many women find it helpful to be told that mooing like a cow is a good way to keep the throat open and relaxed. If they think it's funny to hear these sounds, so much the better, since being amused also aids relaxation."