This page will be updated monthly to include information on a variety of birth and parenting topics.

Fun Facts from the Midwife...

One of the many important bits of information midwives hope to learn at prenatal appointments is the position in which the baby is presenting. Every one knows that they don't want a breech or posterior baby, but many don't know how to prevent such a presentation. I recently attended a wonderful conference in Boulder that addressed the issue, and offered several solutions.

Breech Recognizing the signs of a breech baby:

~Feeling kick in the cervical or vaginal region. ~A hard, round lump underneath the ribcage. ~A significant heavy feeling in the pelvis. ~Larger movements felt below the umbilicus and smaller movements above. ~Failure to "drop" towards the end of pregnancy. ~Soft round mass above the pubic bone. ~Hearing fetal heart tones in the upper region of the abdomen.

Posterior Recognizing the signs of a posterior baby:

~Lower back pain (either in labor or during pregnancy) ~Baby's movements felt in the front of the abdomen. ~Irregular shaped abdomen, with a bulge above the pubic bone and a depression above the umbilicus. ~Bulk of baby's body on the mother's right side. ~Failure to "engage" at term. ~Muffled fetal heart tones.

Fortunately, there are simple solutions which may help remedy either of these "mal-presentations". They are all safe during pregnancy, and are not contraindicated, even if your baby is not  breech or posterior. Consult your healthcare provider before enaging in any new activities.

A Chiropractic adjustment, by a skilled provider, can release pelvic torsion and allow the baby to turn. Body work (ie Massage, cranial sacral, or myofacial release) to relax the pelvic floor or psoas muscles. Daily inversions for 30-90 seconds (knees on a chair, shoulders to the floor). Avoiding low sitting couches, crossing legs, or squatting (if malposition/malpresentation is suspected).

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