3 reasons why optimising baby’s position in pregnancy and labour is as a good idea

A woman’s posture and a baby’s position matter in pregnancy, labour, and birth, very much so! And there are specific maternal positions and body balancing techniques that a women can do with her body to assist her baby find the optimal position for birth. 

The good news is you can do these safely in pregnancy and in labour. It is a good idea to get professional support from a registered prenatal yoga teacher or a certified spinning babies practitioner to assist you and it is absolutely paramount that your birth partner learns how to do these too so they can support you in the throes of labour.

Here are three reasons why optimising your maternal posture and baby’s position in pregnancy is a good idea:

1.     A baby that is in an optimal position before birth may increase the chances of going into spontaneous labour

When a mother has been consciously moving her body with intention to improve her maternal posture and optimise baby’s position. For example, she has committed to a regular prenatal yoga or pilates practice in pregnancy she has an increased chance of having a more balanced and symmetrical womb. This helps the baby get into a better position for birth with the head pressing down on the cervix. The science suggests that this pressure helps promote the release of oxytocin, the hormone that stimulates birth.

2.     A baby that is in an optimal position before birth may improve the chance of less complications in birth.

An anterior or posterior baby coming from the mother’s left side is when a baby’s back comes from left. An anterior baby coming from the left is the most desirable position. A baby coming from this side of the womb can curl and tuck their chins more easily. This makes a baby head measure smaller and aligns baby better into pelvis which helps for a more efficient birth. The labour usually progresses normally, however if there is a stall, try negotiating with your caregivers on using maternal positioning and body balancing techniques to promote labour as the first measure (as opposed to going directly for medicine to augment labour).

Depending on where the baby’s head is in the pelvis these exercises including the Side Lying Release, Forward Leaning Inversion & Jiggle (otherwise traditionally referred to as the rebozo). You can find further explanations of these techniques here. We can also help mother get into positions during labour that are going to open up the top of the pelvis to engage baby and to also relax and release fascia, pelvic floor muscle and ligaments. Some examples include: the Abominal Lift and Tuck, the Flying Cowgirl and Shaking the Apple Tree

3.     Optimising baby’s position in pregnancy can improve the comfort of the mother.

Prenatal yoga sequences are designed to create space and balance in the body which assists the baby rotate into an optimal position. This helps to create balance in the pelvis and its surrounding structures including the womb which can help alleviate back ache or pelvic girdle pain. We can also use the exercises referred to above during pregnancy to help babies move into a head down, left side position. The techniques help to untwist, stretch, open, and soften the mummy’s anatomy giving baby a chance to find the optimal birth position. Some examples of prenatal yoga poses include rocking meditation, cat cow pelvic tilts, downward facing dog, child’s pose and half-moon pose with wall support.

What happens if I cannot get my baby into an optimal position for birth?

The number one thing to do is not to panic or worry. 

Most babies rotate in labour and sometimes babies position themselves in the womb for a reason (e.g. it is normal for your body). With that said, babies coming from the right side (anterior or posterior) usually have chin up and a straighter back due to the right obliquity of the uterus (where the uterus is steeper i.e. not as curved). 

This can result in delayed engagement, descent, and later moulding to pelvis – aka the labour may be longer and little more complicated. Before medical interventions are applied and assuming the baby is coping with the contractions, the women can use the specific maternal positions changes and techniques referred to earlier to help avoid the need for an instrumental birth or a caesarean.   It is important that her birth partner, doula or midwife assist her change positions and techniques regularly as well as provide gentle encouragement – as the process of doing this can be challenging for her.

I have been told many stories from birth professionals using these practices on women during pregnancy, labour and birth and in scenarios where labour stalled with incredible results! They not only assisted to alleviate pain and discomfort but turned intense and traumatic situations around with physiological adjustments enabling the mother to deliver baby vaginally without the need for medical intervention.

For more information visit Spinning Babies, they are incredibly generous with sharing this knowledge and have most of these practices and techniques available on their website.  

If you want professional guidance in this, book your free consultation with me to learn how you can give your baby the best chance to rotating into the optimal birth position.