Mamas, Make Labor Easier By Moving Around
We can help childbirth go more smoothly by just changing our perspective. Parents-to-be are often surprised to learn that the baby is not just a passive passenger 'along for the ride' during labor, but is an active participant in their own birth process. Laboring mothers greatly help themselves and their babies by moving around in labor. One of unhelpful things about birthing in a medical setting is the the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) message given to laboring women that their bed is the most normal place for them to be in the room.
“There is no reason to go to bed just because you’re in labor! In fact, there are many reasons to stay OUT of bed! You’re not sick, right?”
One primary key to having an efficient and effective labor is having the unborn baby well-positioned in mama's pelvis. This can be aided by enjoying ‘positive postures’ during the last month of pregnancy in particular, such as the Cat-Cow yoga pose to stretch and relax, a position which encourages the baby to roll it’s back towards your front which is helpful in it’s journey. Another proactive posture is to make a point to not sit slumped with a rounded bum in soft furniture, but to lay on your side or sit upright on your sit bones. Spinning Babies provides a good deal of information on baby positioning.
If during labor the baby’s position is appearing to be less than ideal,
Remember that to move the baby, move the mama! By understanding this general concept, anyone can effectively help their baby along in a way that fits their personality, their birth setting, and their labor circumstances.
As a midwife and doula, I've witnessed mothers work to shift the position of their unborn baby by
Duck-walking in the hospital corridor
Going up their basement stairs two at a time
Walking on the farm among their lamas
Slow dancing with their man
Making '8s' with their hips while sitting on their yoga ball
Going for bumpy car rides
Switching sides in the 'lunge' position with their epidural
Leaning on their horse
And kneeling with one knee on their preschooler’s play kitchen.
Below is a fun and short little series of video clips that I use to teach parents-to-be and new doulas about why moving around in labor can help the baby descend 'down and out' with less pain. By understanding this general concept, anyone can effectively help their baby along in a way that fits their personality, their birth setting, and the labor circumstances.
So here we go, sound on!
Video #1. Cardinal movements of the baby; notice the rotation of baby head. The baby actively participates in labor, even directs it. We act like it’s so much about the mom, but it’s really WAY more about the baby. Mom needs to be supported so she can allow the baby's work to happen, and accommodate them. Even though this is the older generation animation, I appreciate its simplicity. This is the inner journey of the baby.
NOTE: The orientation of the head in the extra window is from the prospective of mom laying down. If she’s on hands and knees, as mothers most often prefer if we don't get in their way, observers would see the face 'up', or facing towards mom's spine and butt. Sometimes we forget that our view varies depending on our orientation.
Video #2. The Dancing Skeletons (full screen provides excellent detail)
In this charming clip, belly dancers wear skeleton costumes so we can get a visual on how bones move while dancing. Watch these pelvises in particular, because moving the legs…moves the hips… which move the internal pelvis...…. GET IT? (Btw - Did you know that belly dancing was originally by the ladie, for the ladies, to celebrate and help with childbirth? THAT changes perspective, doesn’t it?)
Video #3. Laboring mom dancing in hospital corridor.
Who SAID labor can't be fun? Pick your favorite music, and MOVE IT!
As these clips illustrate, the baby has more room to move when their mother is moving also. It doesn't mean moms need to be always moving, mixing it up with rest is great too. Just remember that any asymmetrical position is a great option when progress in labor seems to stall or pain is unusually high. One other really effective position to help facilitate repositioning the baby in a positive way is the reset position. You can get more on that in the Reset Blog. Regardless of the setting or mom's physical abilities, she can be supported or positioned asymmetrically to adapt to the ever-changing birth situation.