How To Naturally Turn A Posterior Baby

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One of the first things a pregnant woman learns is that the position of the baby is extremely important, when it comes to having a safe delivery. The infant must be positioned with its head downward in the womb if a successful natural delivery is to take place, and the failure of this can lead to C-section. However, there’s no need to panic just yet. There are a few natural ways in which you can turn a breech baby in the right position. Although it’s important to keep in mind that sometimes, despite the baby’s head positioned downward, there are other factors related to the fetal position that can compromise a natural delivery. And one such factor is called the posterior position. Although a vaginal birth is possible when your baby is in this position, it isn’t optimal and can lead to complications. If you want to know more about what goes into having and trying to turn a posterior baby, then read on!

What Is A Posterior Baby?

A posterior baby is medically known as a fetal occiput posterior. And what this means is that the spine of the baby is positioned up against the spine of the mother. These posterior babies are also popularly known as “sunny side up” babies. The best or ideal fetal position is known as occiput anterior which means that the baby is positioned facing the mother’s spine. This is when the baby’s head can emerge first through the mother’s dilated cervix. This way the chin slightly flexes towards the chest. This is important as it reduces the diameter of the part of the baby’s head that emerges first, which in turn allows the baby to fit optimally through the mother’s pelvic opening. Therefore a posterior baby increases your risk of longer labors, hemorrhage, labor augmentation and can worsen tearing.

Ways To Naturally Turn Your Posterior Baby

1. Use Gravity To Do The Job

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Keep in mind that your baby’s head and back form the thickest parts of their body. This means that making your belly into the shape of a hammock will assist you in turning the baby’s heavy back towards your front. A position where you lean forward can also make the womb larger and wider which can give the baby more room to rotate. There are a couple of positions you can use in order to help gravity slowly turn your baby into the right position.

• Getting on all fours limbs
• Standing in a forward lean, and resting the hands on a surface for support
• Straddling an armless chair facing backward and resting your head and arms on its back

2. Pelvic Rocking

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Pelvic rocking also known as the pelvic tilt uses gravity as well and can aid in rotating the baby’s back towards your front. All you need to do to execute the pelvic tilt is to get on the bed or the floor on all limbs. Start to slowly alternate between curving your back to the ceiling and then the ground. You can even try crawling on your knees and hands as this can mimic the pelvic movement, easing your baby into the right position.

3. Rebozo

Now, there aren’t any formal studies that claim that this method works but a rebozo or a shawl woven in a Mexican style has a long and rich history of being used to reposition a fetus in the womb. Besides, it may provide some much-needed comfort and physical relief during labor. If you don’t have a rebozo you can also use a big scarf or a bed sheet folded in half to do the job. However, there is a specific technique to employ while using it. Make sure the mother in labor is on all her limbs, in the child’s position or laying on her back. Based on the position, the rebozo will be used like a hammock or provide grip for her hips, buttocks or belly. It will aid in sifting, rocking or shimming in order to encourage the baby to rotate.

4. Relaxation

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Using relaxation techniques for the uterus and the pelvic floor may also help allow more space for your baby to turn in the womb. These repositioning and relaxation methods can include acupuncture and the Webster chiropractic care which can be quite effective when done by a professional.

Even if your baby refuses to rotate after employing all these techniques, don’t worry. They might just spontaneously turn during birth. The point is to keep trying and encouraging your baby to rotate well before the time for delivery is near so that you have a better chance of getting them in optimal position.

Sources

1. Persistent Occiput Posterior position – OUTcomes following manual rotation (POP-OUT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial, NCBI
2. Fetal Malpresentation and Malposition: Diagnosis and Management, NCBI
3. The fetal occiput posterior position: state of the science and a new perspective, NCBI
4. Rebozo Technique for Fetal Malposition in Labor, NCBI

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• Author

Kezia JohnBA

Kezia holds a deep interest in writing about women adapting to motherhood and childcare. She writes on several topics that help women navigate the joys and responsibilities of being a new mom and celebrate every stage of their baby's development. When she is not writing for MomJunction, she sings in a classical Western choir and reads endlessly.