You asked about babies and birth trauma, so here is an article I wrote for an OB clinic:
What
and why is cranial-sacral work important for both Baby and Mom?
If
a baby could talk (in a language that we could understand) it would probably
say, “Hey there world, I’m here! Are you ready to love me and take care of me?
Do you know how long and tough my journey has been? It is so exciting to be
here after all that I’ve been through. 9 months curled up in the womb with my
house not always being relaxed or in alignment...and then down that tight
chute. I’m so ready to just have you baby me as much as you can.” Well, in fact
the baby does say that with it’s first cry as it re-inflates the head that was
compressed/collapsed during childbirth.
It
is a common belief that babies and children should have no stresses or strains
in their bodies, because they are 'so young'. The reality is very different.
Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected
to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural
resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it
squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and
potentially stressful journey
Since
the cranial bones are not fully developed they sort of float like little
islands between the layers of tissue of the head. In order to reduce the size
of the head, the tissue folds allowing the soft bones to overlap, bend and warp
as the baby descends through the birth canal. After birth that first cry is to
help inflate the head, like a balloon, thus allowing the ‘islands’ to float
back into place. However, the stresses that the baby has undergone may not
always be corrected with just that first crying demand.
Many
babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the
head can usually be seen to gradually lose the extreme molded shape, as the
baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmolding process is often
incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult or was assisted with
forceps or suction. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very
uncomfortable stresses within its head and body. Some babies cope extremely
well with even quite severe retained molding and compression, and are contented
and happy. For others it is a different story. Even Cesarean Section can create
imbalances. Especially when you consider that the reason for the C-section is
often as a last resort due to difficulties with labor, and/or difficulties
throughout the pregnancy.
Since
the head houses the brain, and the messages from the brain direct the body,
than it is easy to understand the importance of good positioning and
development of the cranial structures.
Cranial-sacral
and myofascial release work help to reshape the cranium, thus allowing the
complete and natural development of the rest of the body. These are also useful
therapeutic techniques for the developing fetus. Since keeping the baby’s house
in order (i.e. Mom) during the pregnancy allows for the most comfortable
developmental environment and therefore you have the greatest potential for
growth without restrictions. When developmental restrictions are minimized,
birth is often an easier process as well.
Linda
Becker, BS, LMT
