Posterior Baby??

OPTIMAL BABY POSITIONING
Adapted from "Sit Up and Take Notice" by Pauline Scott

A baby's position can have a major influence on the kind of labor a woman experiences and the way her baby is born. Encouraging a baby to lie in the most effective position for his journey through his mother's pelvis increases chances of a spontaneous and straightforward childbirth, something that every woman hopes and prays for. And what's more, unborn babies instinctively want to move into the most effective position for birth too!

What position is my baby in?
Anterior Position
Your baby's back is facing your front. The anterior position is the most common position and the most effective one for your baby's journey through the pelvis. The baby is either on the left or right side. Most babies prefer lying on the left side, which is the path of least resistance. Babies on the right side should be encouraged to move to the left.
• Your baby's movements feel like a rolling sensation at the top of your belly with some kicks in your right or left rib.
• Your belly button may stick out.
• Your belly is slung low.
• When the midwife listens to the heartbeat it is easily heard.

Posterior Position
Your baby's back will be facing towards your spine. Once again the baby will be either more on the left or right side. For posterior babies, the right side is the most common. The baby in the posterior position may meet more resistance. The journey through the pelvis may be slower than the anterior baby because most posterior babies have to rotate 180? as they move through the pelvis. If there is enough room in the pelvis, the baby may not need to rotate and will be born face up or "sunny side" up.
• You feel a lot of small parts in the front. There is a lot of movement down the middle of the belly.
• Your belly button may be more concave (saucer shape).
• Your belly appears high and flat on top.
• You feel like you pass urine more frequently. This may be because your baby's brow is pressing on your bladder.
• When the midwife feels the baby she has more difficulty finding the back.
• When the midwife listens to the heartbeat it may be more difficult to detect. Not always.

What I can do to encourage my baby into the most optimal position prior to labor.
If your baby is in the anterior position and lying on the left side, you have achieved optimal baby positioning. Babies that are anterior but lying on the right side typically turn posterior during labor, therefore it is recommended to encourage the baby to move to the left side during pregnancy. If you baby is posterior or anterior but lying on the right side, here are some ways during the pregnancy you can achieve optimal a baby positioning.
• Adopt into your daily life forward leaning positions. When watching TV or reading a book lean over the birth ball or piled up cushions.
• When sitting, make sure your back is straight and your knees are below your hips.
• When resting or sleeping, assume a left lying position to encourage your baby to turn over. Add pillows behind your back for support and place your right leg forward over your left leg until your belly almost touches the mattress. This ensures that your belly is leaning forwards to create a "hammock" for your baby. Add a small pillow between your thighs for comfort.
• When traveling, place a thin pillow under your bottom and a rolled up towel behind your lower back to help rock your pelvis forward.
• Engage in exercises like swimming, walking, pelvic rocks and yoga (avoid deep squats).
• Use the birth ball to sit forward and rock your pelvis on.

If your baby is persistently posterior, here are some more tips!
• Pelvic rocking three times a day in sets of 20 minutes. Best done when baby is awake.
• Knee chest position three times a day for 20 minutes. Best done when baby is awake.
• Take warm baths. Gently massage and encourage your baby to roll over.
• Talk to your baby and visualize him or her in the position you want.
• Ask your midwife about practices such as acupuncture, homeopathy and/or acupuncture.

What I can do to encourage my baby into the most optimal position during labor.
• Change positions and movements to help the progress of labor and encourage your baby into a more effective position for birth.
• Utilize upright, forward leaning positions such as kneeling or hands and knees during the first and second stage of labor. Modified squatting or side lying can help.
• Marching on the spot, stepping on to a pile of books and/or stair climbing can help shift the baby's head.
• Use the birth ball to sit forward and rock your pelvis on.
Other general rules of engagement
• Be active. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Get out there and move your hips!
• Don't sit on your back or cross your legs. Sit up and take notice!
• Avoid deep squats until your baby is in optional position. Deep squats encourage engagement.