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Working with babies provides a unique opportunity to resolve many
of the difficulties that can become imprinted early in life and can go
on to affect our full development and potential as we mature.
One of the most formative experiences that we all undergo is the experience
of birth. It is becoming increasingly recognised that the quality of our
prenatal life and the nature of our arrival into the world is fundamental
to, and may have significant impact upon, our future development.
In the United Kingdom in the middle part of the twentieth century, as
the hospitalisation of birth was encouraged, birthing women were organised
from the viewpoint of obstetricians and other medical practitioners. This
led to the development of birthing practises that favoured the medical
professionals but actually made the birth more difficult for both mother
and baby.
Later on, the active birth movement lead the way for the de-medicalisation
of birth and focussed on how the mother could empower herself during her
pregnancy and while she gave birth. In recent years, health professionals
in various fields of research have been considering the birth process
from the baby's point of view.
This has been very challenging, especially since, as recently as 1995,
most parents and health care professionals believed babies to be too small
and undeveloped to be affected by their prenatal life or birth.
A number of pioneers in this field have developed unique approaches to
working with babies, children and their families in order to help resolve
those issues that has their origins in prenatal life and the birth process.
These issues within a baby can, over time, effect the dynamic of the
whole family. It is therefore important to work with the baby within the
context of their family system.
In developing these approaches, practitioners and teachers have drawn
from a wide range of modalities including Craniosacral Therapy, Polarity
Therapy, Psychotherapy, Trauma Resolution work, and birth simulation work.
Combining this with a detailed study of midwifery and obstetrical practises,
embryology and neurology, a powerful method of working with babies and
their families has emerged.
These revolutionary approaches look at the affect upon the baby of its
prenatal life, the birth process and current birthing practises and how
these affects may be resolved to ensure good health and optimum potential.
One of the challenges that is often faced in working with babies is what
I call the inside-outside dilemma. The baby is on the inside and has its
own unique experiences of its life in the womb and the nature of its arrival
into the world.
The baby's parents, other family, doctors, midwives etc. are on the outside,
and they also will have their own experience of these times. In many cases,
the experiences of the baby and the parents are not the same.
I have worked with a number of mother's who have stated that, to them,
the birth was wonderful. However, when we start working with babies it
becomes clear that they may still be holding some left over issues around
their arrival into the world.
CASE HISTORY - Emily
Sally brought her baby Emily to see me for a check-up following the birth.
Sally was a week overdue and the doctors informed her that she had two
options regarding the delivery of her baby.
One of these choices was induction, the other was elective caesarean
section. After weighing up the pro's and con's of each option, Sally chose
to have a section, in the belief that it would be the safest alternative
of the two.
When she brought Emily to see me, she stated that she was completely
satisfied with the way the birth had gone, although she did have a little
regret about it not starting "on time".
As I began to work with Emily, she started to express a lot of anger
and upset that was directed towards her mother. At the same time, she
initiated pushing movements with her legs, in the same way that a birthing
baby would push against the back of its mother's womb.
As we worked over a number of sessions, it became clear that Emily (although
only 3 months old) blamed her mother for not allowing her to have a "normal"
birth. As we made clear to Emily that mum made what she thought was the
best choice in the circumstances, and we supported her to express her
strong feelings, she eventually began to soften and settle.
Having undergone this course of treatment, Sally reported that the degree
of bonding between her and Emily and greatly improved and she was a much
more content baby.
Our early life
Every parent must surely be aware that the conception, gestation and
birth of a child are miraculous events. One needs only to look into the
eyes of a newborn baby to be wonder-struck by the miracle of life.
Today, many prospective parents are taking the time prior to conceiving
their child to take steps to resolve any issues in their physical and
emotional well-being as well as in their relationship with each other.
They are consciously taking this time in the understanding that the more
they resolve, the healthier will be their sperm and egg and the new life
that results from their union.
It is becoming clear that this type of conscious conception, as well
as active parental responsibility during gestation, can contribute to
easier birthing and bonding.
Impaired bonding of the infant to its parents has been shown to be one
of the major factors in the development of aggressive and violent behaviour
as well as relationship difficulties later in life (see references:1).
Contrary to many beliefs, bonding can, and ideally should, take place
while the child is still in the womb.
In contrast to the ideal scenario, most parents do not undertake any
preconceptual healthcare nor do they consciously conceive their child.
The effects of this may adversely impact the baby while it is developing
in the womb.
Table One lists a number of potentially disturbing events that may imprint
the prenate while it is still in the womb. This, and the information in
Table Two, is derived from the work of Dr. William Emerson (see references:2).
TABLE ONE
• Unwanted pregnancy
• Conception by force, manipulation or rape
• Conception under the influence of alcohol, cigarettes or drugs
(recreational/pharmaceutical)
• Thinking about, planning or attempting abortion
• Intrauterine toxicity (from alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, medications
and strong negative emotions)
• Prenatal twin loss (research has shown that up to 70% of all pregnancies
begin as multiple conceptions) (see references:3)
• Foetal surgery, invasive antenatal testing and ART
• Adoption · Accident, illness or injury during pregnancy
• Divorce or separation of parents
• Death of a loved one
The Birth Process
For the first nine months of its life, a baby has been growing and developing
within the relative safety of its mother's womb. As this time draws to
a close, both mother and baby release certain hormones that initiate the
contractions of labour. The baby, therefore, possesses an inherent wisdom
as to when it is ready to birth itself.
During a normal delivery, the baby finds itself descending head first,
through the mothers pelvis and down the birth canal.
In order for the baby to pass through its mothers pelvis, certain physiological
changes need to occur. The widest part of the baby is its head. Fortunately,
for both mother and baby, the head is able to mould in order to facilitate
its passage through the pelvis. This moulding is able to take place because
the bones of the skull have not yet "fused" together. They are like large
plates that are floating on the membranous surface of a water-filled balloon.
As the baby begins its passage through the pelvis, the various bones
of the skull naturally move and distort in particular ways, in order to
facilitate the descent. This may include one or more bones overlapping
each other. The overall effect of the birth process upon the baby, and
particularly upon its head, is one of compression. New parents are often
alarmed by the degree of moulding that is present in their baby's head.
Medical professionals often state that this is nothing to worry about
as moulding is a natural process that will fully resolve itself in a matter
of days.
It is true that moulding is a natural process and that a certain degree
of resolution occurs quite quickly. However, it is often the case that
due to the strong compressive forces that the baby experiences during
its birth, the bones of the skull may not fully release and return to
their natural position. If these bones remain locked together they can
interfere with the natural growth and development of the skull and the
brain.
The compressive forces of the birth process are often fed into the spine
and pelvis resulting in a greater degree of tension and less freedom of
movement in certain joints and in particular areas of the body.
These effects may have body-wide repercussions and potential long-term
consequences on the health and well-being of the developing child.
Many conditions that we are used to seeing described as "normal" during
infancy may have their origins in the rigours of the birth process.
In fact, it would be more appropriate to describe these conditions as
common, reflecting the commonality of the experience that we have all
gone through, rather than normal.
To suggest that something is normal implies that it is something necessary
for the baby to experience and is indicative of good health.
Typical examples of common conditions related to unresolved cranial moulding
are difficulties with feeding and sleeping, constant crying, colic, ear
problems, squint and other visual disturbances.
Other conditions, that may not manifest until later in life, include
asthma, autism, behavioural and emotional problems, dyslexia, epilepsy,
hyperactivity etc.
CASE STUDY - Sarah
Sarah, a 4 week old baby, was brought to see me suffering with severe
colic. Her parents were concerned by the fact that she would scream inconsolably
for several hours in the evenings, pulling her legs up into her body as
she did so. Although she was breast-feeding, Sarah was unable to digest
the milk when her mother ate fruit, vegetables and other foods, and was
also suffering from smelly green stools. Consequently, her mother was
living on a diet of dairy products and chocolate as these seemed to provide
the least distress to Sarah. Sarah's mother stated that her labour was
very quick and had been induced for the convenience of the consulting
obstetricians. Consequently, she felt very angry at what she considered
to be the mismanagement of her labour.
Induction's generally have the result of creating more intense uterine
contractions and have the potential to produce more pronounced shock and
cranial moulding patterns.
This was certainly the case with Sarah. Just looking at her, I was struck
by the strong asymmetry that was present, particularly in her face. By
taking a light contact onto the back of her head I became aware of the
strong degree of compression that was present throughout her body. Some
of her cranial bones were compressed and misaligned in relation to their
neighbours.
From just the very first session, I could feel some of the tension in
her body begin to relax. Her occiput softened and there was a lengthening
throughout her body as the tight soft tissues released their tension.
Sarah's parents noted that the day after the treatment she had continuous
bowel movements that gradually became less green and smelly. By the next
time I saw her, Sarah was obviously a different baby. She seemed much
more at ease and relaxed, and the powerful screaming, that was the initial
cause for concern, had stopped. These improvements continued over the
few more sessions that Sarah and I had together.
Assisted delivery
In many cases, interventions are used that are intended to make the birth
process easier for both mother and doctor. Often, such interventions are
necessary for the safety of both the mother and baby.
However, such interventions can potentially have long-term side-effects.
The use of such tools as forceps and ventouse, for example, can often
create more extreme moulding patterns, body tension and shock in the baby.
In these cases, it can often take longer to get a resolution of the underlying
problem.
The use of pain-relief medication can also create long-term side-effects.
Dr. Lennart Righard, of the University of Lund, Sweden, produced a study
showing that babies born from a medicated birth were often unable to attach
to their mother's breasts and begin feeding (see references:4). This may
then set up an early pattern for bonding and relationship difficulties.
More recent studies, from the University of Gothenberg, have linked high
doses of opiates and barbiturates, used as painkillers in labour, with
increased likelihood of substance abuse later in life.
Caesarean Sections
It has often been reported that baby's born by caesarean section have
an easier time and suffer less as a consequence than those born vaginally,
primarily because they don't experience the cranial moulding from the
birth canal.
Indeed, many parents (especially in the USA, and increasingly so in the
UK) are now opting for elective caesareans as a way of avoiding the pain
and discomfort of the birth process.
Research has estimated that a caesarean section rate of only 6-8% is
medically justified. This is in comparison to the UK national rate of
up to 20% (up to 50% in some parts of the USA) (see references:5).
Caesarean born babies have a different experience to vaginally-born babies.
They undergo many physiological and psychological changes, over a very
short space of time, as they transition from life in the womb to the outside
world. They also experience a sudden pressure change as the uterus is
surgically opened.
These factors can actually imprint a significant amount of distress into
the baby's system albeit, in certain circumstances, without any cranial
moulding.
CASE STUDY - Hayley
Michael and Amanda had been trying to conceive a child for 11 years.
Having given up hope of having a child of their own, they decided to adopt
a little boy, Simon. As the adoption process reached its final, critical
stage, Amanda fell pregnant.
This was a very stressful time for everyone. Amanda was very sick for
the whole 9 months of her pregnancy. The stress of the adoption process,
the stress of wondering whether the adoption agency would take Simon away
and finally the stress of finding out that the baby was in a breech position,
with her head wedged under Amanda's ribcage, and she would need to have
a caesarean section.
Amanda brought Hayley to see me when she was 22 months old because she
had been very sick as a baby and now has extreme temper tantrums.
As I started working with Hayley, she always seemed to settle into her
Mum's lap in exactly the position she had been stuck in the womb, with
her head tightly pressed into Amanda's ribs.
Over time, by allowing Hayley to express the feelings she had about being
stuck and having to be born surgically, she was able to move from her
stuck place, turn around, and go through a symbolic birth process, head
first.
By empowering Hayley to move from her stuck place she was able to re-pattern
the shock that had become imprinted at the time of her birth. She was
also able to let go of the emotional charge that had built up as well.
Today, Hayley is a much happier little girl and no longer has the violent
temper tantrums that plagued her early life.
Table Two gives a list of interventions and other conditions that can
potentially give rise to shock and trauma during the birth process. However,
it must be reiterated that many of these interventions are often necessary
and can even be life-saving.
TABLE TWO
• Obstetrical interventions i.e. forceps, ventouse, labour induction,
premature rupturing of membranes
• Obstetrical anaesthesia and analgesia e.g. gas and air, pethidine,
epidurals, general anaesthesia
• Caesarean section
• Birth complications e.g. placenta previa, cord compaction and
oxygen deprivation, nuchal cord, foetal distress, cephalo-pelvic disproportion,
breech presentation
• Prematurity
• Separation from mother for cleaning, weighing, suctioning etc.
• Post-natal testing
• Early cutting of umbilical cord
Shock
It has been estimated that approximately 95% of all babies experience
some degree of shock, whether mild or severe, at some stage during their
prenatal life or their birth process (see references:6).
In my experience, a significant number of parents also suffer some shock
during this time, and often have unresolved emotions concerning the management
of their labour.
If the shock naturally works its way out of our system, then no lasting
damage is done. However, oftentimes the complete discharge of this shock
is hindered by external pressures and social "norms".
Unresolved shock and trauma accounts for a great deal of physical, psycho-emotional
and social problems.
To a birthing baby, the physical rigours of the birth process may be
a direct contrast to its time in the womb. It may feel threatened by the
whole process, and so it is not uncommon for newborn babies to have their
muscles clenched, as if to protect themselves.
At the same time, the baby may enter a state of hyperarousal, even panic.
It is, therefore, also common for newborn babies to be incredibly angry,
frustrated or even frightened following their birth.
Another effect of shock imprinting at the time of birth, is for the baby
to go into a state of hypoarousal. In this case, the baby would withdraw
into itself and appear to sleep a lot. Many parents have commented that
they have really good babies who seem to sleep all the time, when actually
they are suffering the effects of shock.
Later on in life, as the child grows and matures, these stress responses
may become habitual. This may mean that the child habitually responds
to difficult and stressful situations with the same degree of overwhelm
as they did at birth.
In other words, stressful situations can take us back to responses that
had their origins in prenatal and birth-related trauma.
Whilst these responses were appropriate at the time, today they may cause
us to react out of proportion to the situation at hand. At the same time,
they may cause further agitation to the tissues of the body and a possible
entrenching of the original trauma.
Hence, many physical and psycho-emotional disorders that we suffer from
as both children and adults may have their origin in prenatal life or
the rigours of the birth process.
It is therefore a primary responsibility for the therapist to help the
baby to negotiate safely the complete release of any imprinted shock from
its early experience.
Treatment Process
Fortunately, these imprinted shocks are not locked away, never to be
accessed. If we can learn to observe babies and children in a new way,
we will see that they are constantly showing us how it was for them in
their early life.
Obviously, babies and children are not telling us a verbal story of their
history but express themselves through their body and eye movements, their
expressions as well as through their play.
The practitioner works by monitoring the subtle energetic and physical
cues that the baby presents and responds appropriately. With older children,
some of the work may involve play with toys or some re-enactment of the
birth process using balls, tunnels or other games.
It is also important that the parents recognise these cues and learn
how to modulate their responses to the newborn at home, thus providing
self-help and care directly within the family environment.
I truly believe that through helping babies and children to resolve some,
or all, of their early patterning we can help to create a more positive
future for them where they can begin to realise their full human potential
and sow the seeds for a more loving and caring generation.
References
1: Chamberlain D.B., What Babies are teaching us about Violence. Pre-and
Perinatal Psychology Journal. 10(2): 57-74. 1995
2: Emerson W., Shock - a Universal Malady. Prenatal and Perinatal Origins
of Suffering. Emerson Training Seminars. Petaluma CA
3: Keith L. et al., Multiple Pregnancy: Epidemiology, Gestation and Perinatal
Outcome. The Parthenon Publishing Group. New York. 1995
4: Righard L., Delivery Self-attachment. Lancet. 336: 1105-07. 1990
5: Sakala C., Medically unnecessary Caesarean Section Births: Introduction
to a Symposium. Social Science & Medicine. 37(10): 1177-98. 1993
6: Castellino R., The Polarity Therapy Paradigm regarding Pre-conception,
Prenatal and Birth Imprinting. Santa Barbara. 1995
Graham Kennedy
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