[bellabirthing]

rebozo way

book, dvd, rebozos, and cards. should be in every doula's bag.

[forwomen]

Originally Posted by WombToBloom

What happens if the baby is face up in the birth canal?

When the baby is face up, it can make it more difficult for the baby to get through the pelvis. The face up position does not allow the baby's head to fit through the pelvis as easily. There are exercises that can be done before delivery and there are positions that can be used during labor to help the baby turn to a more favorable position. An epidural makes it more difficult to get into positions that help rotate the baby into a better position. When the baby is face up, there may be more pain in the lower back due to baby's head pressing on the spine.

[babylady]

wow! everyone's responses sound so scary! yes, it can cause labor to be longer, it can cause back pain, it can cause pushing to be harder. And yes there are things you can do to try to get baby to move but let me assure you that not all these things are absolutes. Some women's pelvis' are designed so that a posterior baby fits better, often what happens is these women start labor with a posterior baby and he sort of corkscrews through the pelvis turning anterior in the process. Sometimes he doesn't and the labor still goes well and is uneventful. I've attended several women who we all were a little surprised baby was still face up at delivery because it went so fast and effortlessly.
Please don't be scared by a posterior baby and don't allow the position of the baby to be the deciding factor on how you proceed with your care.

[First Daze]

My first child was born posterior - sunny-side up. I had intense back labor. Strong massage and pressure on points was essential. I did have a long labor. I didn't do the exercises to get my baby to flip but I would give it a go if I were you!

[midwifegail]

One of the reasons we have so many -c'sections is from posterior babies. So prevetion is a key, yes you can rotate a baby to spin around. There are many ways, one not mentioned - is knee/chest. better than just hands and knees, as this knee/chest postion pulls baby out of the pelvis,pulling the baby out of your pelvis makes it easier for the baby to swin around. and the baby will swing aound, as the belly becomes a hammock and the baby is more comfortable with his back in the hammock of your belly.Make sure that the butt is up, shoulders and face on the bed. Stay like that for 20-30 minutes.
Back to prevention-- avoid "couch potatoe slouch" Slouching back in a chair, or couch with back in a "c" postion. This then becomes the hammock and aids the baby in being face up.

Do many things leaning forward, hands and knees was a good floor washing postion, baby like the hammock and was face back, Today we do not do things that cause us to work forward. Sit on a birth ball instead of the couch. I ahve many ideas on this but too long to write them all.
Our lifestyles today - bad diets and bad physical habits cause a lot of problems. We can prevent most of them, if we choose.,not always but usually.
Midwife Gail

[First Daze]

Oh how I wish I had your advice 16 years ago!!! But the main point to get across is that it's not an all or nothing situation. Posterior doesn't = c-section. Many situations in birth and postpartum may be remedied when the mother is armed with the right knowledge.

[midwifegail]

Originally Posted by First Daze

Oh how I wish I had your advice 16 years ago!!! But the main point to get across is that it's not an all or nothing situation. Posterior doesn't = c-section. Many situations in birth and postpartum may be remedied when the mother is armed with the right knowledge.

Totally agree-. I have delivered babies - face up to many Moms. However, it is one of the leading causes in hospital births fir a c'section. With as you say Momethers with limited knowledge and epidurals,not allowing much movement and fetal monitors wired all over one's body. Happens a lot that this situation leads to domino troubles and c'section. So prevention is the best advice i can give.
Thanks for the comment
Gail

[Knoxville Doula]

Double hip squeeze is very useful, too! the best thing is to get up and GET OFF YOUR BACK!

[jinni]

his can be caused by the position of the baby before birth, or by 'moulding' of the head during birth. Moulding happens when pressure in the birth canal moves the skull bones a little so that the head moves through the birth canal more easily.

[johniori]

I have never heard of one of these! And welcome bones206! If you are a doula we highly value your expertise and I know moms will appreciate it as well.