Massage to Move the Baby
Various massage techniques have been suggested to encourage baby to move in a desired direction. Though they may not accomplish your desired positioning, gentle abdominal massage has little to no risks involved and can be attempted in the privacy of your own home.
During pregnancy, massage can be used to help a breech baby move into a head-down position. During labor, massage can be used to encourage a posterior baby to move into an anterior position. The basic technique is to use gentle strokes along the abdomen following the direction you want the baby to move. For example, you may start at the top of the belly and gently stroke down the left side to the pelvis. These massages are done for a few minutes to half an hour one or more times a day for several days.
Mexican midwives have used rebozo abdominal massage to help move babies before labor begins. The basic concept is the say – produce movement in the direction you want the baby to turn. However, because the midwife positions herself to support the mothers pelvis in the rebozo like a hammock, the mother is able to become more fully relaxed improving the chances the baby will turn. 
The basic movement is more like a rhythmic step than a swing. You are not swinging the mothers hips from side to side. Instead you are slightly lifting one end of the rebozo, then the other, back and forth rather quickly. This basic movement relaxes the mother. When she is relaxed you will give a strong tug on only one end of the rebozo. This causes a jerk to the baby which encourages movement to the desired position. For this type of massage, jerk the end of the rebozo so it jerks the baby in the direction you want the baby to move.
What would you like next?Learn comfort techniques for labor. Explore the process of labor. Find products to help you enjoy pregnancy and prepare to give birth.. Read research about birth options. Find natural birth resources in your area. |
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