When you go into labour, there is an ideal position for your baby to be in to encourage a straightforward a birth as possible. This is known as ‘optimal fetal positioning’. Isabel Diaz is an experienced London osteopath with a special interest in pregnancy & midwifery.
The following information is for you and your partner to try and encourage the ideal position before you go into labour. If you are expecting only one baby (not suitable for multiple pregnancies) and the baby is coming head first, then from 34 weeks the following advise will encourage your baby to lie with it’s back to your left side/front.
Here’s the do’s.
- When sitting, sit upright or lean forward, allowing more space in the pelvis for the baby to turn.
- When you sleep /lie down for a rest, lie on your left side, with a pillow between your legs.
- When sitting, try and sit with your knees lower than your hips, with your back as straight as possible. Use cushions to make you comfortable.
- Sit facing the back of the chair with arms resting over the back.
- When watching TV, kneel, leaning over a large bean bag or cushions on the floor.
- Swimming is excellent for exercise in pregnancy and for obtaining optimal fetal positioning, but always swim breast/ front stroke.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BRAXTON HICKS MAY BE ENCOURAGED USING THE LEANING FORWARD POSTURES, HELPING THE BABY MOVE INTO THE OPTIMUM POSITION.
Here’s the do not’s.
- When relaxing do not have your knees higher than your hips in the semi reclined position.
- Do not sit with legs crossed!
SOME USEFUL POSITIONS FOR LABOUR
Remain active as much as possible standing leaning forward and rocking your hips side to side, very effective during a contraction.
For comfort lean forward over a bean bag in between contractions.
Use your partner to find a comfortable position hang from his neck allowing your body to sag, let your knees turn outwards.
With your partner sitting on a chair, squat in between his legs and rest your arms on his thighs.
Use all fours position.