Positioning Your Baby For Birth
Positioning Your Baby For Birth
Positioning Your Baby For Birth
The baby's position in the womb is very important when it comes to the birth. The ideal position is called 'Occiput Anterior' this is when the baby is head down, facing your back, with bub's back on one side to the front of your tummy. In this position the head is easily flexed and so the smallest part of the head is positioned on the cervix. The unfavourable position is called 'Occiput Posterior' this means the head is down but facing your tummy. Babies in this position are more likely to cause a long and painful labour. In the last few decades the rate of posterior babies has increased which has been greatly influenced by our changing lifestyle. Sitting in car seats, leaning back on comfortable sofas and less physical work can all contribute to a posterior baby.
What position is your baby in? You can find out your baby's position by feeling for yourself or asking your midwife to point out what it is you can be on the lookout for. When the baby is anterior you'll feel a smooth rounded bulge to one side of your tummy this is the babies back and you'll normally feel kicks under your ribs. Your belly button may stick out and the area around it feels firm. If your baby is posterior your tummy may look flatter and feel softer. You'll normally feel the kicks on the front towards the middle of your tummy. When the baby starts to move try to figure out which part of the baby is moving it may take some time to work it out but it's a lot of fun trying and a bit of a laugh! How can I turn my baby or make him/her stay in the correct position? The baby's back is the heaviest part of their body so you'll have to get some gravity thoughts happening! This means the more you lean forward the more likely it is for the baby's back to roll and face your tummy. If your baby is already in the anterior position now all you have to do is keep them there!
Tips to keeping or getting a baby into an anterior position
Try to stay active but don't overdo it you will need to rest there is still much happen to your body, when you do rest lay on your side.
Avoid positions that encourage your baby to spin to your back the main culprits are armchairs, sofas, car seat and anything that positions your knees higher than your pelvis. Try putting a wedge cushion on your seat the car and keep the seat upright.
Spend your time kneeling up right or sitting upright, or on your hands and knees, when you sit on a chair make sure your knees are lower than your pelvis and your trunk should be slightly tilted forward.
Watch TV while kneeling on the floor over a beanbag or cushions or sit on a dining chair or try leaning over the back of a dining chair.
Use the yoga position while, resting reading or watching TV, tailor pose sitting with your back upright and the soles of your feet together, knees out to the side.
Birthing ball can encourage a good position before and during labour.
Swimming with your belly down and use goggles to keep your head down too. Don't do backstroke or the leg movements that open up for the baby to settle the baby downwards
If your baby is posterior....
Don't cross your legs, this reduces the space at the front of your pelvis and opens the back up.
Until you know your baby is in the correct position avoid deep squatting which opens up the pelvis and encourages the baby to move down
Exercises wiggle your hips from side to side or arching your back like a cat followed by down spine drop.
These positions help the baby to drop into the pelvis, so if the baby is posterior you don't want them to drop too early it will make the birth more difficult. If your baby is already anterior then go ahead with all of the tips especially if you are have passed the 37 week mark this is when your baby is considered full term.
Don't get too caught up in making sure you are always in these positions but keep in mind the more you lean forward the better the position your baby will be in for birth. Continue to go to your doctor or midwife appointments and they should be able to keep you up to date with your baby's position.
http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/positioning-your-baby-for-birth-3720015.html
How to Arrange Comfortable First Few Months with Baby Bassinets? A Few Tips on Convertible Cribs for Babies Baby Shower Ideas – Decorating It Green! Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Cribs Keyshia Cole Baby Number Two - Rumors? Cutest Baby Photo Contest Review Infant Baby Cribs and Mattress – Issues for Consideration Best Accessories Ensuring Safe Play for Your Baby Babysitters & Nanny Services Canada – How to Find a Nanny or Babysitter Conceive a baby with the gender of your choice-How to choose the gender of your baby Protect Your Baby from Dangerous Yard Panes What Variety of Available Baby Cradles Makes Safe Play for Babies? Shed Post Baby Weight - Lose Pregnancy Weight Fast