Understanding where baby is in the pelvis during labor can be more empowering for a mom than knowing her state of cervical dilation.
When you know where baby is sitting in the pelvis, or the baby's station, then you can adjust your labor positioning and techniques to help baby descend.
In this blog I will explain what station means and different labor techniques you can use to help progress your labor based on that knowledge.
I would like to credit spinning babies for this information and photos, and if you are wanting more in-depth understanding of these concepts, please check out their website and consider signing up for their courses.
Where Is Baby
Baby's position could be high in the pelvis, mid level, or low.
A baby who is high in the pelvis is considered at a negative "station," which may be the terminology your provider uses when describing where your baby is.
A baby who is in the middle of the pelvis might be at a "zero station," and a baby who is low in the pelvis is at a "positive station."
Knowing where your baby is in the pelvis will help you determine what position to get in to help your baby progress down and out of the pelvis.
Babies that are High in the Pelvis
Babies that are high in the pelvis need space at the top of the pelvis in order to help them descend down to the middle.
In order to assist in this, you can use the spinning babies tuck and lift technique during labor to help open the top of the pelvis.
This technique is performed by wrapping your hands under your belly and tucking your bum under as you lift your belly up. You can do this by yourself or have a doula or partner stand behind you to assist.
Babies in the Middle of the Pelvis
Babies are that in the middle of the pelvis need space in the the middle to descend down to the bottom of the pelvis and make their final exit.
Rocking and side lunging can be helpful activities to help open up the middle of the pelvis.
You can perform these in kneeling with or without a ball for support.
Babies at the Bottom of the Pelvis
Babies who are low in the pelvis and getting ready for exit need you to help lift the tailbone and open up the sit bones.
Keeping the knees closer together and turning the feet out can help open up the base of the pelvis and allow for baby to have more space to exit.
Keep in mind that an open and relaxed pelvic floor is also very important to help open the base of the pelvis.
You be in hands and knees or leaning over a tub, birth ball, chair or partner in a kneeling position to help open up the bottom of the pelvis.
You can also lie on your side with knees together and one foot up on a birth ball.
Conclusion
Understanding where baby is during labor and how you can assist by changing your pelvic position in very empowering.
A baby's position in the pelvis can increase your risk for undergoing a c-section or more interventions such as vacuum suction to help baby descend.
Knowing how to assist your babies course through the pelvis can help avoid these interventions, decrease your labor pain, and hopeful help to alleviate very long labors.
At Holistic Pelvic Health, we go through all of this positioning with our pregnant clients as well as help them to tune into and relax their pelvic floor for optimal birth outcomes.
If you are wondering if you are a good fit for pelvic floor physical therapy, make sure you check out this post on the Ultimate Guide to Knowing if Pelvic Floor PT is for You.
Make sure you book your Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy session today!
Commentaires