Craniosacral and Birth
Linda Becker, LMT CST:
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.