Durting pregnancy, your midwife or care provider may tell you what position your baby is in and towards the end of pregnancy. You may hear 'head down' mentioned or talk of 'optimal position' of baby. What does this actually mean? Is it a problem if baby isn't in the 'optimal position'? Find out how osteopathy can help and what you can do today to help optimise your baby's position.

What is the 'optimal position' for baby during pregnancy?
Towards the end of pregnancy (around 36 weeks), the optimal position for babies in the womb is head down, with the back of their head facing a diagonal to your left hip in preparation for birth. This is called Left Occiput Anterior (LOA) and it simply refers to the bone at the base of baby's head and the direction it is facing. This is known as the optimal position for birth.
Why does optimal positioning Matter?
Babies are not passive during birth, they turn their heads and bodies to help them move through the pelvis in order to be born. These movements are natural and normal and all babies do this instinctively.
When a baby is in the optimum position (LOA) it is thought to help the length of time a woman is in labour for. This can be advantageous if you are birthing in the UK midwifery system as most hospital policies have time limitations on the differnet stages of labour. The more straight forward and faster your birth, the less likely you are to be offered interventions during labour.
Is it bad is babies are not in an optimal position?
In short, no.
Babies can be in many positions in the womb including a 'back to back' position with you or they may even be breech - these are all normal positions for babies to be in - Yes, you did read that right, even breech babies can be born vaginally - but that is a whole blog post of it's own!
The potential problem is that positions like the 'back to back' presentation may push the time limitations set by different hospital policies, as these babies may take longer to turn. They may even appear to not be decending through the pelvis at all, turn very quickly and then be born very quickly. Furthermore, many care providers may strongly suggest a c-section for a breech baby.
It is important to consider the type of birth you want and what you may or may not want during birth. Having a birth partner or doula to advocate for more time or to voice your wants or wishes is greatly important. This is a personal choice, but being fully equipped to make informed descions is vital. Hypnobirthing can be very beneficial with this decision making process.
Why might a baby not move into the optimum position for birth?
It is thought that tensions and restrictions in mum’s body that arise as a consequence of modern living can make it a challenge for baby to rotate.
Muscles like the psoas, pelvis floor and the posterior chain group (muscles and connective tissues running from your feet, back of your legs and spine) can become tight or imbalanced, creating asymmetry and making it harder for baby to get into the optimum position for birth.
Things like diriving, sitting for long periods, wearing heels, poor posture and even previous injuries may be contributing factors.
Osteopathy during pregnancy for optimal positioning
As an osteopath, I can assess and treat areas of tension and restriction in your body, supporting your own physiology to allow baby to turn on their own.
Osteopathy during pregnancy for optimal positioning incorporates gentle hands-on techniques to massage, stretch, mobilise and release tight muscles, ligaments or joints in your body.
After your treatment, I will make suggestions and lifestyle modifications, as well as demonstrating and giving you exercises, tools and techniques to help you support yourself outside of your treatment so you feel empowered moving forwards.
Osteopaths DO NOT turn babies, this is something only midwives and obstetricians are allowed to do.
If you would like more information on pregnancy and birth preparation, please feel free to get in touch with me today.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Take care,
Siân
bloomhypnobirthingandwellbeing
12 Welles Street,
Sandbach,
Cheshire
CW11 1GT
01270 767744
Comments