Optimal Fetal Positioning
Why it's important and what you need to know
LOA
The ideal position for your baby is with it's back against your the left side of your belly with it's head down. In most cases, this is the easiest position for a baby to navigate the pelvis, rotating down and out of the mother's body.
This position is called LOA - Left Occiput Anterior.
Sitting on your sit bones will help keep the pelvis in a neutral position. When the back is not slouched and curved it stops acting like a hammock for the baby to fall into and the baby's back will more easily gravitate towards the mother's belly. These techniques will help achieve a more neutral position with proper posture:
Do not do
KEGELS
Do
SQUATS
instead
Here's Why:
How to Squat:
-
Roll up a small towel for your heels if your tendons are tight
-
The weight should be in your heels and your toes should be free for wiggling so that your knees will be safe
-
Engage your glutes and entire bottom as you lower yourself down as far as you feel comfortable
-
Hold onto someone strong or to the door knobs from the side of the door for support
-
Keeping the feet parallel while going down into your squat may help to keep your pelvis open
When properly done, SQUATS engage the entire set of birthing muscles. KEGELS only engage some of them and may imbalance the pelvic floor. BALANCE is important because we want the baby to descend evenly and easily through the mother's pelvis with no resistance.
Muscles that are strong are also elastic and elastic muscles will easily yield, like an accordion or a rubber band. They will hold no unneccisary resistasnce.
How Often:
It helps to anchor it into your day in a similar way to women throughout history. They would have squatted down each time they needed to relieve themselves. It's a very natural rhythm for doing your squats. On your way out of the bathroom take a moment to grab the door handles for support if you need to and go down into a squat with the weight in your heels. Relax there for a short time, as your comfort level allows, then engage your entire pelvic floor and glutes to bring yourself back up.
You can also squat to get anything that you need from the floor. The more you squat the more you will benefit!