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Aligning Baby
Did you know that the position of you baby in the womb is a significant factor in your baby's birthing? When baby is well-positioned, he will head down, facing either the mother's right hip or the mother spine, the two positions generally encourage the baby to tuck his chin tightly against his chest, thereby allowing baby to move down the birth path with the smallest part of his head (known as the "occiput"). Keeping baby in a good position helps to avoid discomfort in your back, and can save you many unecessary hours of birthing. There are lots of ways that moms can encourage baby to be in a perfect birthing positions and, as your midwives, we strongly encourage you to take note of them, for they truly do make a difference for many babies. Rest assured, though, no matter what position your baby ultimately chooses, babies still find their way out!!!
Suggestions for the 3rd Trimester
- Always place a back support behind you while sitting to ensure that you are keeping excellent posture. Completely avoid positions that include reclining, lounging back, sitting in a "bucket-style" seat (found in many cars) with out support beneath you, and laying on your back.
- Spend a fair amount of time on your hands and knees or swimming belly-down in a pool to keep baby's occiput away from your posterior (baby's spine should typically want to follow the curve of your belly)
- If you feel that baby is not well-positioned late in pregnancy, consider doing a rebozo treatment, chiropractic, or acupuncture to maximize space for your baby to spin.
- Avoid deep squatting in daily activities or exercise routines
- Eat healthy, with lots of protein, greens, and water, minimizing whites such as sugar and flour
- Do visualization regularly, imagining baby in the perfect position to be born.
To better understand how positioning affects your baby's birth, read more:
- Positioning Overview
- Spinning Babies- This is the website of Gail Tully, a terrific midwife in MN that has trained Kelley and many other doulas on how to help babies get better positioned during birthing. Kelley's learned techniques included use of a rebozo and other general helpful tips for baby's that are posterior and/or asynclitic at the onset of birthing.
- Optimal Foetal Positioning Article
- Turning a Breech Baby - look under prenatal issues and click on breech baby- Also I will use the rebozo and do a HypnoBirthing breach script to help your baby turn
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