Expert Tips: Getting Baby Into Position for Birth
Expert Tips: Getting Baby
Into Position for Birth
Key Highlights
One of the best positions for a baby is head-down and facing the mother's back, with the chin down toward the chest.
This is called the occiput anterior (OA) position. It allows the baby's head to move more easily through the birth canal than other positions.
You can use different techniques and exercises to help your baby get into a better position for birth.
Good posture, prenatal yoga, seeing a chiropractor, and other exercises can help with proper fetal positioning.
Introduction
As your pregnancy moves into the third trimester, you'll probably hear more talk about where your baby is positioned and how it affects labor and delivery.
One of the best positions for birth is when the baby is head-down and facing your back so that their back is towards the front of your tummy. This position helps make the birthing experience easier. While babies often find this position on their own, there are ways you can help them get there.
Understanding Optimal Birth Position
One of the best fetal birth positions is the occiput anterior (OA) position. In this position, the baby's head faces the mother's back with the chin close to the chest. This helps the smallest part of the baby's head move through the birth canal better.
The occiput anterior position is beneficial in several ways:
It lets the baby's head put the correct pressure on the cervix, helping it open by triggering the Ferguson Reflex.
It helps the baby turn through the curves of the birth canal more easily.
It lowers the chances of difficulties during labor, possibly reducing the number of needed interventions.
Suppose the baby is in the occiput posterior (OP) position (sunny side up) or a breech position (with feet or butt down). In that case, it can cause longer labor, back pain, and a higher chance of needing help with forceps or a cesarean section.
While some of this increased difficulty is physiological, some of it also stems from a lack of the practitioners' knowledge and experience in delivering babies in a "less-than-optimal" birth position.
It's important to know babies can be safely born in many positions! However, there are also increased risks associated with less-than-optimal positions.
While interventions may be necessary, some of the current intervention rates and worry about less-than-optimal positions seem to stem more from a lack of experience rather than solely from physiological impossibility.
For those who like peer-reviewed studies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9284475/
Common Birth Positions and Their Impact on Delivery
While there is an ideal fetal position for birth, babies can be in a variety of positions before birth. These positions can affect how they are born.
The breech presentation is when the baby's buttocks or feet come out first. This happens in about 3-4% of pregnancies nationally, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Unfortunately, sometimes birth professionals today are not appropriately trained to deliver a breech baby, so a cesarean delivery is usually recommended. However, there are an increasing number of practitioners, mostly midwives, who are experienced and comfortable delivering a breech baby vaginally and do not believe it carries a greater risk than a planned cesarean.
Hopefully, more research will be done, and more knowledge will be acquired on this very important topic!
Other positions, like transverse, where the baby is sideways, or left occiput posterior, where the baby is facing up, can make vaginal delivery harder. It might lead to needing help or a cesarean delivery. Remember, each case is different, and your healthcare provider will help you based on your specific situation.
If you've been told that your baby is in the occiput posterior (OP) position, the hands-and-knees labor position can be particularly helpful, as found in this study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17943750
Techniques to Encourage Optimal Positioning
While there's no guarantee that the baby will flip into the correct position, some of these techniques have been found to be helpful.
These techniques include certain exercises and stretches.
For the best possible results, it's recommended to apply these techniques regularly.
As always, you should also talk to your care provider before starting any of these techniques during your pregnancy.
Exercises to Promote Proper Fetal Alignment
Specific exercises can help the baby move into a better position by making more room in the uterus.
One way is to take a prenatal yoga class! Prenatal yoga is also a great way to help the baby move into an optimal position. Many movements help you relax and open up the abdomen, giving the baby more room to turn. If you're local to Rockland County, NY, a great place to go is Playful Yogi Space in Nyack!
Some specific exercises to add to your routine might be:
Pelvic Tilts: This exercise moves the pelvis forward to create more space in the lower part of the uterus.
Cat-Cow Pose: This yoga pose helps spinal movement and encourages the baby to turn to the anterior position.
Forward-Leaning Inversions: Doing these exercises against a wall or off a couch with help can encourage a baby to turn from breech to a head-down position.
Always talk to your doctor or a qualified prenatal coach before starting new exercises during pregnancy.
Another wonderful resource for all things fetal position is Spinning Babies! Spinning Babies was founded by midwife Gail Tully. The methods used are for professionals and parents to help move baby into a more optimal birth position.
You can find more information on exercises to help encourage baby to move at https://spinningbabies.com/ or on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/user/spinningbabieslady
The Role of Prenatal Yoga in Fetal Positioning
Prenatal yoga is an excellent practice for pregnant women. It offers many benefits during pregnancy, like helping the baby get into the best position. By using gentle movements and special stretches, prenatal yoga encourages the baby to move into a healthy position for labor.
Some postures in prenatal yoga, like cat-cow, downward-facing dog, and pelvic tilts, work to create space in the pelvis. They also help improve circulation and relax the muscles around the uterus. This gives the baby more freedom to move and find the best head-down position.
Additionally, prenatal yoga teaches deep breathing techniques. This helps with relaxation and reduces stress. A calm and comfortable environment is good for the baby.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Better Fetal Positioning
Making simple changes in your daily life can help put your baby in the best position before birth.
These changes focus on maintaining good posture, creating a comfortable space for your baby, and developing habits that help you feel good physically and emotionally during your pregnancy.
Importance of Posture in
Encouraging Optimal Birth Position
Maintaining good posture is important for helping your baby get into the best birth position. Sitting or standing correctly gives your baby more room to move down into your pelvis.
For example, if you slouch or lean back, your baby may settle in the posterior position because your baby will curve against the curve of your spine while slouching. This will cause the back of your baby's head to face your spine. This position can cause back pain during labor and make pushing take longer.
On the other hand, sitting straight, standing tall, and using your core muscles can help the baby move into the anterior position, leading to easier labor.
The Miles Circuit
The Miles Circuit is a powerful tool for helping get your baby into an optimal position for birth.
It’s a series of three simple positions designed to open the pelvis and create space for baby to rotate into a better position for birth.
Step 1: Open Knee Chest
Step 2: Exaggerated Side Lying Position
Step 3: Get Up and Moving & Asymmetric
Find out more here: https://www.milescircuit.com/the-circuit.html
Or in this pdf Miles Circuit
This circuit can be used anytime, but it’s particularly helpful if labor seems to be a little touch-and-go.
Regularly spending time in these positions can make a huge difference in easing labor progress!
Interventions for Repositioning: What You Need to Know
In some cases, if your baby hasn't settled into the optimal birth position as your due date approaches, your care provider might suggest interventions to encourage repositioning.
Interventions
External Cephalic Version (ECV)
This is a procedure in which a qualified care professional attempts to manually turn your baby. Note that his procedure can be uncomfortable or painful.
Chiropractic Care
Specific techniques may help align the pelvis and create space for the baby to move. Be sure they are trained in the Webster Technique!
One of my favorite chiropractors in my area, Dr. Lynn Friedman, adjusted me throughout my second pregnancy! If you're local, definitely give her a call!
Acupuncture
May help relax muscles and improve blood flow to the uterus
These interventions should always be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare provider, considering the risks, benefits, and alternatives based on your individual pregnancy.
Conclusion
Encouraging your baby to be in the best position for birth can make a difference in your labor. This can help make delivery easier. You can do different exercises, practice prenatal yoga, and change some habits to help your baby engage in the pelvis in the most optimal position. Pay attention to how your baby moves and ask a doctor for help if you need it. Your baby's health comes first, so don't be afraid to ask a professional if you have questions. Taking steps for fetal positioning can lead to a more comfortable and safe birth.
Contact your doula or care provider for tips to help adjust babies' position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if my baby is in the optimal birth position?
A: Feeling the baby's back and using belly mapping can help give you hints about the baby's position. However, only a healthcare professional can tell if your baby is in the best position for birth. They can do this through a physical exam or an ultrasound.
Q: What are the best exercises to encourage my baby to get into the correct position for birth?
A: Gentle exercises such as prenatal yoga and pelvic tilts can be helpful. However, you should always talk to your care provider or a qualified prenatal fitness instructor before starting any new exercises during your third trimester.
