How do you catch a baby?

In most cases, catching a baby is as easy as putting your hands under his head and waiting for him to fully emerge. Be sure to offer steady support since an emerging baby is quite wet and may be slippery. Never pull on the baby and never push on the baby. Birth happens safely because the baby is pushed from the back. Pulling on the head can hurt or damage the baby.

Most babies are born facing mother's back, then they turn to face her stomach. As the baby turns, the shoulders are released and the baby slides easily out. If the baby doesn't seem to be turning on his own, try changing to a hands and knees position.

If you want to catch your baby yourself, you will find that a semi-squatting or reclining squatting position is easiest because it gives you stability while allowing your hands to be near the baby.

If you are alone and don't feel you can catch your baby, don't worry. Use a semi-reclining position so the baby is born almost on the floor anyway. Make a soft landing with some clean towels under you. Be careful if you are on a bed, babies have been known to pop out pretty fast once the shoulders release and you don't want him falling.

You May Also Be Interested In: The Coach's Notebook of positions, techniques and tools for labor Homebirth Books for more information. Midwife Directory to find homebirth midwives and midwife organizations. Virtual Labor to practice your laboring skills. Labor Progress Guide to help you understand the process of labor. Birth Challenges to help you learn to navigate through a challenging labor. This is the story of how I ended up at home for Jaron's Birth.

© Copyright 2000-2008 Jennifer VanderLaan and Birthing Naturally

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