Although giving birth is one of the most profound experiences in a mother's life, being born can be one of the most traumatic experiences for an infant. Even a normal birth has potential difficulties and may have lasting effects on the life of the child throughout adulthood. Fortunately, most of the negative effects on the child can be quickly and permanently corrected through Pediatric Cranial Sacral Therapy.

In the birth process, the baby must pass through a narrow canal, past hard bony structures, from the warm, wet comfortable womb into the huge, cold, airy world. The mother's pelvis has relaxed from the hormonal changes pre-birth. The bones literally spread wider. The mother's muscles also push - hard - on the baby to help it in its travels. Meanwhile, the soft cartilaginous bones of the baby's head squeeze together in carefully designed predictable patterns. First, the baby presses against the cervix. The baby tucks its chin down and flexes its neck and upper back. The bones in the baby's skull overlap to make the baby's head smaller. Continuing down the birth canal, the baby's left cheekbone brushes past the mother's hard tailbone. This is one place where the mother's body is not designed to give; what gives and accommodates are the baby's facial bones. If the baby stays for a long time during labor pressed up against the tailbone, his or her facial balance can change significantly as can, by extension, the balance of the bones of the skull.

Most babies (95%, in fact) are born head first, with one side of the face turned toward the tailbone. About 80% of babies born head first, or vertex, present the left side of the face, while 20% present the right cheek. Headfirst births can have some complications. Sometimes, the baby's head and face are turned or tipped differently: face first, with the neck cricked backwards, the baby facing forwards, instead of toward the back, breech, with the baby staying upright in the womb. Some of these presentations currently result in the mother and child experiencing a Caesarean section.

Caesarean sections, along with the use of forceps and vacuum extraction, have their own sets of complicated and profound effects on the lives of those born through these methods. Needless to say, surgical birth cannot provide the infant with the same experience. Emotional and psychological effects follow a person throughout his or her life. Only some of the effects of a surgical birth can be corrected by cranial sacral pediatric work. The sooner the baby is worked on, the easier it is to make those changes and the less trauma is experienced. A child born with surgical assistance may grow up to need more touching and emotional support because he or she didn't receive the "stroking" of the vaginal canal. These individuals may show adult characteristics of being too goal oriented if born by C-section, or too dreamy if born with vacuum extraction. They may also have anger issues or difficulty inhabiting their own body or sexuality.

Pediatrics is the care of children from the moment of birth until they individuate, or become aware of their own being. Depending on development, this point is reached around 12 to 16 years of age. Many systems in the infant are still in the developing stage when they are born: kidney and urinary systems are not complete until two years of age; the medulla of the brain is not fully grown; nerves are not at their full development. The growth plates of the skeletal structure allow growth until the second decade of life. This lengthy maturation allows Pediatrics Cranial Sacral techniques a substantial period of time to correct some of the possible birth/uterine problems.

What are some normal developmental signs to look for in an infant or young child? What, as a parent, can you observe that will help you identify potential dangers and maximize your baby's future? Shortly after birth and before the end of the first four months of life, the parent might check some reflexes, if the midwife or pediatrician hasnšt already done so. Here are a few simple tests:

Once it is established that the baby is responding well to all the reflex tests, a cranial sacral practitioner can work to correct possible birth trauma. The areas to check are where the bones have overlapped to allow birth: the parietals, or top of the head; the frontal or forehead; and especially the occiput at the back of the head. The occiput may be one of the most important bones in the skull. All the membranes that extend down the body are "hung" from the occiput. In the natural process of birth and development, the occiput unrolls. If it does not follow its normal pattern, the child will have balance and muscular/skeletal problems, showing up in crawling and walking. The visceral system, the organs and their connective tissues, are greatly influenced by the occipital position and mobility. In all Pediatric Cranial Sacral work, the body's visceral balance must also be restored.

I have seen absolutely astounding changes in infants and children. I have witnessed visible outward cosmetic changes in the shape of heads and faces. I have seen character changes from fussy, head banging, or chronically crying babies to peaceful and happy babies. Infants with chronic ear infections respond favorably to Cranial Sacral correction of the angle of the sphenoid and inner ear canal. In children (even up to pre-teenage years) who have not had the benefit of early work, it is still possible to change the course of their development. Cranial Sacral therapy can be effective with autism, retardation, emotional problems, lethargy, attention deficit syndrome, sleeplessness, clubfoot, sinus problems, asthma, and sunken chest.

Though birth may be an intense, sometimes painful and huge event, it is a natural process. The forces exerted on mother and child are normal, expected, even required. After birth, the act of nursing helps some in correcting skull shape. A gentle, non-invasive Cranial Sacral checkup will accomplish the rest. All mothers believe their babies are perfect. Pediatric Cranial Sacral ensures they will grow up to be the best they can be.