pelvic positions for stages of labor
Did you know we can help get baby into position during labor?
Our pelvis needs to open up first at the top, then in the middle and then at the bottom for labor to progress and for baby to exit out. Why not help facilitate those by performing certain exercises that encourage mobilty.
If you are between 0-6 cm dilated, we want to help facilitate the pelvis inlet (or the top of your pelvis) opening. We can do this by performing exercises when our knees are wide. Deep squatting either with or without assistance can help open up the top of your pelvis.
If you are 6-9.5 cm dilated, we want to help facilitate the middle of the pelvis to open. Doing rotational pelvic exercises can help open the middle of the pelvis.
If you are 10 cm dilated and in the active pushing phase, we want to open the bottom of our pelvis or the pelvis outlet. We can do this by creating more internal rotation at the pelvis. You want to think of knees closer and feet away from each other.
If you are on hands and knees or on your back, you want to think about ankles away from each other making them wider than your hips/knees.
If you are on your back bringing your knees a little closer together than hip width can help decrease tension at the perineum as well.
If you are on your side, the ankle of the leg that is on top should be slightly higher than your knee.
All of these help baby get into position working with the natural progression of labor. Other things to think about it trying to stay moving throughout labor versus just laying one position. Whether that is getting up and walking around the room, moving your pelvis on a ball and or mini squats. All of the movement will help get baby into position.
Want to learn more about how you can prepare your body to make delivery easier on your body? Check out all of the ways our expert prenatal pelvic floor physical therapists can help you!