The Relaxbirth birthing support device has been designed to provide midwives and doctors with an adjustable workstation and to enable mothers to relax their bodies and naturally find the most effective pushing position. Relaxbirth was developed on the basis of user experiences.
The Relaxbirth method makes giving birth a more ergonomic process for the mother-to-be and offers professionals an improved working posture. The method combines the psychological, ergonomic, physiological and practical know-how of a broad cross-section of specialists from the healthcare sector.
The goal of the Relaxbirth method is to:
The Relaxbirth method can be used during all stages of the birth. The birthing support has been designed so that birthing women can find the most comfortable position to give birth. An upright body position facilitates the birth of the baby. The Relaxbirth birthing support helps the birthing mother to relax her pelvic muscles. Simultaneously, gravity helps the uterus do its work. Women who have used Relaxbirth have given positive feedback and reported very positive experiences. Link to birthing experiences.
An ergonomic posture and good viewing angle help professionals to assist in the birth more easily. Good eye contact with the birthing mother makes communication easier during delivery.
To maximise the benefit of the Relaxbirth method, Relaxbirth Ltd. provides training and services for birthing clinic staff.
General good nursing practices have been taken into account in the design of the Relaxbirth birthing support device. Both primiparas and multiparous can use and benefit from Relaxbirth.
During Relaxbirth delivery, common medicinal and non-medicinal pain relief methods can be used and given in the normal way. As the woman in labour learns to relax her pelvic area, she may, however, require less pain relief. Relaxbirth does not interfere with the process of monitoring foetal signs or providing IV fluids etc.
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health studied the Relaxbirth method in 2010. The research showed that mothers preferred to give birth either sitting on the Relaxbirth birthing support or lying on their side in the bed using Relaxbirth, rather than using conventional childbirth methods.
Relaxbirth also made the midwife’s work easier and enabled her to maintain a straight back during almost the entire second stage of labour. Midwives using Relaxbirth reported better access and visibility. For further information, see TTL press release 2/2010 and TTL Relaxbirth poster.