What is Sphincter Law?

Well-respected midwife Ina May Gaskin describes something called Sphincter Law in her book Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. 

While it may sound funny, there is much truth to this theory, especially in relation to birth. 

Here are some of the basics of her Sphincter Law:

• Sphincters function best in an atmosphere of intimacy and privacy, for example, a bathroom with a locked door or a bedroom where interruption is unlikely or impossible.
• These sphincters don't open at will and do not respond well to commands (such as Push! or Relax!).
• When a person’s sphincter is in the process of opening, it may suddenly close down if that person becomes upset, frightened, humiliated, or self-conscious. Why? High levels of adrenaline in the bloodstream can actually prevent the opening of the sphincters. This inhibition factor is one important reason why midwives are the favoured global professional of choice for assisting women in labour. 
• The sphincter muscles are more likely to open if the woman feels positive about herself; and feels inspired and enjoys the birth process. The uterus responds to emotions, so find support partners in birth who support you emotionally.
• Sphincter muscles may suddenly close even if they have already dilated, if the woman feels threatened in any way.

One way we can help a woman adhere to the rules of the Sphincter Law is to allow her to have a sense of privacy with as little distraction as possible. Keep the lights low, the traffic in and out of the room to a minimum, and try not to stimulate the neocortex (the ‘thinking mind’) with unnecessary questions. 

When the woman is feeling safe and cared for, her body will respond. The sphincters will open, and her baby will come out more easily, with less stress for all involved. 

So what does the sphincter law tell us about the emotional state of the labouring woman? If the mother is feeling shy, judged about her birth choices, or embarrassed about the sounds she is making or the way she moves her body, she will not open up. If the mother is feeling pressured, she will not open up. 

For these reasons, it is very important for the woman to consider who will be with her during her labor. Labour and birth is a personal experience that can be hindered or helped depending on who is involved. 

Try to recreate the atmosphere that got your baby into your belly in your first place - the same love, oxytocin and endorphins is what is needed to help the body surrender to the process of birth. 

As Ina May describes, in order for the body to successfully open, it has to feel safe and comfortable, not scrutinised and pressured. 

It is unfortunate if the woman has a midwife she does not like, and if she is not getting along with her midwife, she can ask for a new midwife or at least she ask for student midwives to leave the room if she wants more privacy.

Be wise about who you invite into your sacred space. It is not a time to worry about hurting someone’s feelings. Enclose yourself with people who support you unconditionally and who give you the least amount of disruption and disturbance as possible. 

Create a sacred space and think of birth as your baby's rite of passage. I've seen people take fairy lights into hospitals so that they can turn off the bright lights and have pretty subtle lighting. People also take aromatherapy infusers and relaxing music or guided meditations. Massage and encouraging words from a support partner can also be great to help women to open up, and lots of water (baths or showers) to sooth and relax your muscles.