This is where your labor doula comes in handy! Once extension occurs, the face and head appear outside the body.Ĭontractions are doing most of the work here and staying comfortable is the best way to keep the mother focused and affirmed through the next few cardinal movements. Once the baby is fully rotated and descended, extension occurs when their head passes through the pelvis at the base of the neck. Standing upright and slightly bending the knees as the baby is rotating toward their optimal position in the pelvis will alleviate stress on the mother’s back and the uncomfortable weight of the baby’s descent. By the time the baby reaches the pelvic floor, their head is almost always fully rotated. This is a good opportunity to use birthing stools and balls to make squatting easier and more effective.Īs the baby’s head reaches the pelvic floor, it’s head will rotate to accommodate changes in the pelvis known as internal rotation. Squatting or sitting may help promote the baby’s descent and flexion and make labor a little more comfortable. This movement is the result of the baby’s head hitting the soft tissues of the pelvis, aligning their head with their chin toward their chest at they reach the depth of the pelvic cavity. Their little body has to begin it’s form to position correctly into the pelvis deep enough for traditional birth.įlexion and the descent go hand and hand. The baby doesn’t just have to get aligned with the mother’s pelvis, their head must descend deep into the pelvic cavity. To speed the engagement process along, sitting on a firm birthing ball moving your hips in a figure-8 motion or performing abdominal lifts during contractions may help. This is the start of the birthing process and the baby getting themselves into the position for birth. This stage is simply the diameter of the baby’s head into the mother’s pelvic cavity from ear to ear. The movements where the baby shifts themselves into position are known as the seven cardinal movements. In order to position correctly, a baby in the womb will try it’s best to shift into a direction that best facilitates birth. A baby’s position is important for birth to proceed naturally, allowing the smallest part of the baby to present first.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |