Get Baby in the Best Position!
Your baby has an active role in her birth.
She must rotate and tuck, hold and kick her body in certain ways to be born.
She needs your help to do this.
Babies who are lined up optimally for birth come out faster and easier than those who aren’t positioned perfectly.
Many cesareans happen because the baby is not able to get in the best position for birth.
There are a few different pelvic shapes or types. Some pelvic shapes require that the baby take a certain, optimal position, while others can accommodate a number of different ways out.
For many women, their babies can be born backwards (posterior), upside-down (breech), face first, or with with their head tilted a bit (ascynclitic), but it’s typically a harder or more complicated labor and birth.
Our babies and bodies birth best head-down, facing the mother’s back, crown first.
Modern life has us using our body in a way that confuses or restricts the baby’s movement.
Here is what you can do during pregnancy to provide for the best chance and good alignment and faster, easier birth.
- Sit with your knees below your hips.
Always sit with your belly leaning forward, back straight.
- This gives baby the most room and makes a nice hammock for the baby to fall into.
- Avoid the couch and recliner.
- Sit on the exercise ball.
- Sit on the floor.
- Kneel on the floor and lean onto a bean bag or big cushion.
- Sit backwards on a kitchen chair.
- Sit on a kitchen chair and lean on the table, knees apart, belly hanging.
- Adjust the car seat so that you are sitting more upright and forward.
- Consider using small pillows under your bum and at the small of your back to support good posture.
- Spend time on all fours.
Do various yoga poses.
Do pelvic tucks, crawling, hip circles.
Wash the floor on your hands and knees.
Crawl around with the kids for awhile.
- Spend time walking, preferably outside, every day.
The movement of your hips and all the ligaments and fascia inside when walking helps the baby settle into a good position for birth. Walking is healthy for both of you, body and soul.
- Lean forward during Braxton-Hicks and early labor contractions.
This increases their effectiveness and helps baby maneuver into the best position.
BONUS! See a chiropractor regularly in pregnancy, especially if you are having any pain or are concerned about position.
That’s four ways to help your baby take the best position for easiest birth. Give your baby a break!
- Always sit with your knees below your hips and belly leaning forward, back straight.
- Spend time on all fours.
- Take a walk every day.
- Lean forward during early contractions.
Optimal Fetal positioning takes stress off of you and your baby!
Happy Birth Day!
Got a breech baby? Want to help others with a breech baby?
