Baby Positioning

Did you know there is an entire website and company dedicated to helping moms position their babies in the womb for optimal delivery? And they aren't just talking about babies that are breech or transverse. "When the baby's back is on the left and the baby's chin is tucked, the birth process is the smoothest and most straightforward." (www.spinningbabies.com). They think the very top of the head should be the part that crowns and will allow for the smoothest delivery.

They believe that many women have trouble with stalled or slow labors or are labeled "failure to progress" because the baby is simply in the wrong position. And that has become an increasing problem these days as c-section rates and deliveries by vacuum or forceps rise. Unfortunately, many doctors will tell women that their baby is simply too big or that their is something wrong with their pelvis - that it's too small. I don't believe this to be true. I believe that women's bodies are created for birth and that you are not going to create a baby that is too big for your body to birth. If that was the case, then how do women vaginally birth 12 lb babies?? Of course, there are exceptions, such as injuries, etc. But for most women, your body is more than capable.

Then why do we hear of so many of these "failure to progress" stories? One of the probelms (and there are others) is that the baby is not positioned correctly before labor even starts and then the mother is in a poor position in labor and the pushing stage which prevents the baby from turning correctly, making for a very hard labor and a very hard pushing stage.

Spinning babies recommends many things while you are pregnant to help baby into the correct position. THey blame many of the reclining chairs with these incorrectly positioned babies. The babies head and back are the heaviest parts of the baby. So, if you are in a constant reclined state, the baby's back will automatically turn to the back (so it's spine is resting on your spine). This causes the baby to become posterior and causes that dreaded back labor.

They recommend sitting with your knees lower than your hips and allowing your belly to go below your hips as well. So, sitting backwards in a kitchen chair is an excellent way to accomplish this. Or sitting on an exercise ball is wonderful as well (and very comfy). While you're sitting on it, make sure you do some hoola-hooping big circles. :)

So, if you are pregnant, avoid that recliner and those overstuffed comfy chairs and choose a chair that allows you to sit up straight and even lean forward. In fact, the best place is probably on the floor, sitting cross-legged. The website mentions many other options (emotional, chiropractic and even spiritual) to help the baby into the correct position.

How does this to relate to a Healthy Pregnancy? Well, I'm a big believer in natural birth (if you haven't already surmised) and believe that there can be long-lasting and short-term effects on both mother and baby for births that are medicated or surgical. So, I'm sure there is not one doctor or person who would disagree that the best way for a baby to come out is head-first, vaginally. And why not do everything in your power to make sure that happens?

Who would've thought pregnancy could be so complex?