Q about best baby position for birthing and labouring positions

KateLouise

So I know that ideally baby should be head down and facing your spine to be birthed.

And I know that there are things you can do during pregnancy to try and encourage this position.

My question is during labour does your positioning affect baby's position that much.

I ask this because last time I enjoyed being in the tub and largely reclining on my back. But my understanding is that leaning backwards can make baby swing around to face your front.

So at what point is baby locked and loaded, so to speak and position won't change that much. Does it really matter once your in labour, in that it's more important to just do whatever feels most comfortable at the time. (I spent a lot of labour up to and through transition in the shower, leaning forward and squatting through contractions) 

I suppose I'm just curious. 

iris427

I would just do what feels good in labor.  The vast majority of babies that start labor in OP position will rotate on their own.  I do think there is some evidence that hands and knees can help turn an OP baby.  Personally I wouldn't stress about it much before you are in labor (and I say this as someone who had a c/s for OP position).

happyhoopla

Once you're in labor, I say go with whatever position feels most comfortable for you. Keep in mind, too, that as the baby descends, (s)he'll "corkscrew" down and out.

ArcadianDreams

From what I have read, try not to worry too much about whether the baby is posterior or anterior before labor. Statistically the majority of posterior babies turn, and a large percentage of babies born posterior were actually anterior before labor.

But yes, you can encourage baby to be anterior with postures, mainly by avoiding postures that lean backwards. Doesn't always work though, this LO has been determined to sit posterior for a few weeks now.

tokenhoser

I spent hours on my hands and knees while in labour, and my OP baby never turned.

So in my case, I don't think it helped... but it was what felt the best and allowed my doula and husband to help me the best (counterpressure and hip squeezes).

I'm hoping next time I have a better positioned baby that doesn't take 2 hours of pushing!

pinksweetpea2

Lily was in the OP most of my labor and although we did take measures to encourage her to turn, I spent the last several hours floating on my back in the aquadoula-- and she still turned.