‘Your baby is in the WRONG position’
This phrase is particularly chosen when the baby is in the back to back position (otherwise known as the posterior position).
A phrase no one expecting a baby ever wants to hear! It massively predisposes failure and it hikes up any pre-existing anxiety levels. I have had too many women come to me in class in tears believing that ‘that’s it game over’. Such a shame. IT IS NOT ‘GAME OVER’.
Let me tell you that up to 32% of babies are in the posterior position. I would personally say prior to 36 weeks most babies at some point in pregnancy have been in this position – news flash babies MOVE! At what point do we recognise that this position is incredibly common? Perhaps it is not ‘wrong’, instead it is just different but, NORMAL.
Another fact about these babies we know well is that a whopping 87% will turn by birth. What does that tell you?
YOUR BABY IS TRYING TO TURN!
So help them!
Get into better positions to aid rotation. Your baby’s spine is heavy so get gravity on your side. Don’t slouch back instead, lean forwards and open your pelvis this will also give your baby space in your pelvis to move. You can get into some great positions using a birthing ball. If changing position is difficult for you consider using a birthing pool – you will feel weightless and have much more freedom to move about. When you need to rest in labour try to stick to your left side.
I have to stress knowing your baby is back to back now doesn’t mean you won’t have a natural birth. You just need to tweak a few things to help your baby move.
I recommend that EVERY expectant parent (regardless of their baby’s position!) educates themselves with common interventions, why they exist. You need to know you are in safe hands should you or your baby require support. This isn’t something to learn in labour. Join a Talking Babies course today and empower yourself with knowledge. Click here.
For more ideas check out SPINNING BABIES – so many great ideas to help.