As we come close to our ‘due date’ we become quite conscious of the position of our baby inutero. Is there an ‘Optimal position’ for the baby to be in?  Yes there is. Preferably we want the baby’s head to be down and bottom up (known as ‘cephalic’). Labour is generally quicker and easier too if the back of the baby’s head is towards the front of your belly.  We also look for the head to become ‘fully engaged’ by the time you are in labour (meaning, it has dropped right down into the pelvis). When the baby is in the optimal position, labour generally progresses quite well.

If your baby is not in the optimal position, there are several things you can do to move it to a better position.  These can include:

• Leaning forward or on all fours as often as possible to move it around to the front.
• Belly dancing can be a terrific way to help the baby move into the right position or to help it move through the pelvis with ease.
• Communicating with your baby and ‘asking’ it to move
• Gentle regular massage to the belly in the direction that you want bub to turn
• Reflexology, shiatsu, acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathics etc. There are many different types of natural therapies that can be used, depending on your preferences.  Always seek the advice of a professional practitioner though when using any of these modalities during pregnancy

There are many other things you can try.  I suggest  doing a google search.  A fantastic website to visit for this is:

www.spinningbabies.com

Also a great book to read on this topic, if you can find a copy, is ‘Understanding and Teaching Optimal Foetal Positioning’ by Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott.

I am often asked this question by women, who have been told by their caregivers that because they are over 35 years old, they are ‘high risk’ and unlikely to be able to birth naturally!

Firstly, let me say…35 is not old!  Neither is 40!   I can say this because I’m older!! 

But it totally depends on the individual and their health and flexibility. There is supposedly a higher ‘risk’ of having a baby with ‘Down’s Syndrome’ which they usually test for early in pregnancy, but this shouldn’t affect your body’s ability to birth. So, if you are fit and healthy, don’t have any medical problems or complications and the pregnancy is going well, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t be able to birth naturally! Admittedly our bodies ain’t what they used to be when we were 20, but there’s no reason why you can’t prepare yourself well ahead of time by staying active, joining a pregnancy yoga class, having regular massages (partners listen up) and generally gather knowledge and educate yourself. Almost all the women I have known to birth beyond their 35 years, has labored and birthed beautifully. So…YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!

There are a number of relaxation techniques available. Yoga is particularly advantageous during pregnancy as it also helps stretch and strengthen the muscles to assist in labour and childbirth. Many people find meditation helpful and again this can also provide a benefit during labour.

Relaxation breathing is a very simple technique which can take 2 to 20 minutes and can be practiced anywhere – lying down, sitting up or even in the car. Preferably sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Think about your breathing, concentrate on breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Busy people often take short, shallow breaths with their chest. Focus on using long, deep breathes in through the nose and down into the abdomen. Let your muscles in your lungs and ribcage fill your abdomen and concentrate on it swelling and then contracting as you breathe out. As you improve, and as time permits, increase your relaxation breathing to 20 minutes.

Progressive muscular relaxation is a method which enables you to relax the large muscles of your body. It is also a wonderful technique to put you off to sleep at night as it works on the theory that a relaxed body means a relaxed mind.

Progressive Muscular Relaxation Technique:

• Simply lie down, close your eyes and breathe naturally.
• Begin by clenching your fists tightly and then tense your arms.
• As you breathe out release the tension in your arms all the way down to your fingertips.
• Say the word ‘relax’ to yourself.
• Imagine the weight in your arms being drawn by gravity into the bed (or floor, or whatever you’re lying on).
• Next do the same with your feet and calf muscles and in turn with your thighs, bottom, stomach, back and head.
• Try tensing the muscles of your face last and as you breathe out saying the word ‘relax’ to yourself your entire body should feel heavy and relaxed.
• As you improve try imagining a peaceful scene and put yourself there. It may be a boat on a calm ocean or a beautiful clearing in the bush.
• Let yourself stay there for a while.

Whichever relaxation technique you decide works best for you try to do it as a regular routine.

Prevention of stress is better than a cure.