Česky
Anna Kohutová is a community midwife with more than 20 years of experience, who focuses on holistic midwifery education. She runs her practice in the Moravian-Silesian region, but trains midwives all over the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Her insight into the work of a midwife is very inspiring, which is why the management of the gynaecology and obstetrics department invited her from Havířov to lead a course for our midwives.
The full-day course took place on 6 May and was attended by 16 midwives and one doctor. The course focused mainly on practical skills, but the theory was also given adequate space. In terms of practical skills, the course started with the use of a scarf to balance the tummy. The cotton scarf can be used both for pain relief and to improve the angle of entry of the baby into the pelvis. The scarf has a wide range of uses and can be used at birth, but also in pregnancy and then in the six months of pregnancy and can accompany the mother through this stage of life.
Other information that the midwives received was about herbal infusion, which also has its place not only in childbirth. It relieves muscle tension and thus helps to manage pain and contractions, moistens the birth canal and can even help to restart a stalled labour. It also has an effect on the elasticity of the perineum and prevents it from being injured. For these purposes, "Fragrant Childbirth" herbal mixtures are supplied, which are packaged in special spa packs that are just poured over boiling water, making them simple and easy to use. A stool for herbal infusion is already available. There is a charge for the herbal mixtures offered.
The technique that excited all the midwives present the most was the use of the Mexican hand-woven rebozo scarf. Again, this aid is universal, meaning it can be used in pregnancy and six months. Using these newly acquired skills, it can be used to improve how the baby enters the birth canal. With ideal pelvic entry, both the first and second period of labour can then be shortened. Proper use of the rebozo technique helps to relax not only the pelvis, but also the bony connections and soft tissues.
Introducing midwives to new relief positions and positions that improve the progress of labour has only added to the spectrum of new skills. It was moving to see how little is enough to make great things happen.
At the end, two pregnant women were invited to try out their newly acquired skills with midwives together with Anička Kohutová. After the treatment, both women immediately felt a change for the better, relief and great joy.
"All the midwives are looking forward to using their new skills in practice. We would also like to thank the pregnant women present who were approached for this event. We hope that using these techniques will contribute to a more pleasant and quicker delivery. Herbal infusion and aromatherapy are already becoming an integral part of a woman's care in the delivery room. Scarves and rebozo will soon follow," adds station midwife Jana Zámková.
