Few couples are aware of the importance of encouraging their unborn baby to move into an ideal position within the uterus, prior to birth. Having experienced five very different births, let me share with you why this is a winning formula!!
In order for a baby to navigate their way into the world with the least amount of medical interference, we must ensure that the mother’s pelvis will in fact allow the baby to move down into the ideal birthing position. If a mother’s pelvis is sitting out of alignment, then it will be difficult for her baby, during the third trimester (when they are sizeable residents!), to turn and make their way into what is considered the most straightforward position to be born.
What do I mean by straightforward position?
Okay, let’s get specific. When embarking on labour, we want our baby to have:
- — their head down;
- — their bum up;
- — their back or spine against the mother’s belly button;
- — both arms tucked down and against their body;
- — and MOST IMPORTANTLY, their chin tucked under.*
*We need the baby’s neck to flex under like this so that the widest part of their head applies even pressure onto the cervix (the very top part of the vagina), thus promoting a steady labour. One of the reasons that labour fails to progress is due to uneven pressure on the cervix, or simply, not enough pressure.
Visualising the ideal position is an important exercise for a mother, as is having her spine and pelvis checked by a chiropractor. By assessing the alignment of her pelvis, a chiropractor can make certain that the baby has the opportunity to move into the ideal birthing position. A chiropractor will also check the mother’s nervous system, ensuring that the communication channels that govern uterine function are open and clear.
This too promotes a more straightforward labour.
Women who discover that their baby is in a breech or transverse position can use chiropractic techniques to assist with releasing the intra-uterine constraint, whereby the baby is forced to hold an awkward position in the pelvis. Breech and transverse positions may eventuate due to a number of reasons, and chiropractors work to re-balance pelvic muscles, ligaments and joint alignment, encouraging babies to move down into the birth canal.
More and more pregnant women are seeking chiropractic adjustments throughout their pregnancy in order to strengthen their health and help their bodies prepare for labour and any challenges that may arise, post birth.
Sometimes newborn babies experience breathing difficulties, neurological defects, irritability, colic, difficulty with feeding or attachment and sleeping problems. At the core of these issues may be an interruption to the infant’s nerve messages (their communication channels) as a result of:
- – the baby’s position during pregnancy within the uterus;
- – the baby’s birth presentation (e.g. posterior, breech or with their head tilted backwards);
- – birth trauma for the newborn due to assisted deliveries, including vacuum extraction, forceps and caesarean, as well as natural vaginal deliveries.
Chiropractors are highly skilled health professionals trained to care for the spine and nervous system.
Chiropractic offers a distinct, drug-free approach to health that promotes natural function and potential, and chiropractors are always delighted to work with mothers and babies. All children deserve a healthy start to life!!
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For more information about Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond,
please refer to Well Adjusted Babies — which includes
Jennifer’s well-researched, easy-to-read information about…
For more information about Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond, Improving Fertility Self-Care During Pregnancy Meeting Your Physical/Emotional Needs Techniques to Ease the Pain of Labour How to Have a Safe, Natural Birth Breastfeeding, Formulas and Colic First Foods for Babies |
Tips for partners and birth teams Minimising Harmful Toxins Alternatives to Pharmaceutical Drugs The Benefits of Chiropractic How to Guide Your Child’s Development Wholesome dietary habits for the Family And MUCH More… |
Take a look at Well Adjusted Babies here.
