Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

My Baby's Back is to My Back

What things can I do to try and turn the baby into a correct position? Right now my baby's back is to my back.

Answer:

This is a good question. The best position for a baby to be in as labor begins is with baby's back to your front, or slightly turned to the side.

This position makes it easiest for your baby to move into position to be born. It's completely possible to birth a posterior baby (when baby's back is to your back), however, it's good to take steps to get your baby anterior as it is easier on both of you during labor.

First, avoid slouching back in your chair. This has always been hard for me, because as pregnancy progresses you just start to feel tired of carrying all that weight around!

But slouching back encourages your baby to flip with his or her back facing yours because that's the heavier part of the baby settling against your back.

Sit up straight, or lie down on your side leaning slightly over towards your tummy. A birth ball is a really great thing to have around late in pregnancy because it causes you to sit in a good position for the baby, and it's supportive and comfortable.

You can also kneel down and lean forward slightly. Propping up on pillows, big stuffed animals, or an ottoman/footrest is a good idea.

Spending time on your hands and knees will also encourage your baby to turn. Let your belly hang down in front of you. Yoga poses on hands and knees are a good idea. The "cat stretch" is effect and feels good to you.

Walking and swimming are good exercises to do to help keep your body in a good position and encourage your baby to get into a good position. Swimming is especially effective.

Avoid lots of stair climbing and deep squatting until your baby is the position you want him or her to be in. These movements really open up your pelvis and encourage your baby to move down into the pelvis - that's something you want before birth but it's best to wait until your baby is in an anterior position. It's hard for your baby to turn when deep in your pelvis.