Spinning Those Babies

Babies fit best when they come out facing your back. Lately there has been a rush on “sunny side up” babies where they are pushing their bony little heads into that tailbone of yours. This can cause undo pain called “back labor”. There are a few reasons these babies are spinning out of control…

1. Mom’s are positioning themselves so that the heaviest part of baby (their head and spin) let gravity pull them toward the back instead of keeping them rounding that belly outwards. These positions are when you get home from work and want to put your feet up so you recline back. Or maybe your recliner has become your best friend to sleep in so that you aren’t suffering from the reflux from dinner…or lunch…or breakfast. Still in that back lying position, it encourages baby to spin its back toward the ground…ie your back. Amazingly, how we are created…just standing, our pelvis is tilted so that baby is encouraged in the right position. If you want to lie on your side, really pitch yourself forward so that gravity is still bringing baby’s back outward.
2. Happening in labor…the epidural. I have seen it time and time again….epidural = baby in asynclinic position (fancy name for not lined up right). Labor is longer, harder, and ultimately if baby doesn’t turn or come down….c-section or assisted delivery with vacuum or forceps. Positioning while having an epidural can help, but the relaxation of the pelvic floor that can happen with an epidural can sometimes just not allow the baby to that the ideal condition for them to be able to spin. They kinda sink into it and stay in whatever position they find. Usually facing forward or side.

Being aware of what you can do before labor and in labor if baby seems to be facing less than ideal directions is key. www.spinningbabies.com is a great site to check out for good info on this and other positioning ideas. Check it out and GET OFF YOUR BACKS!