Hands and knees question

[GinnyMama]

I'd like to get this babe in a great position to be born in. I've read spinningbabies (uh... fearmongering much? lol) and I just have a question about being on hands and knees to position the baby properly.

Am I supposed to be using my core muscles to "hold in" my uterus? Or am I supposed to be letting it hang? HUGE difference, lol. The only thing I can find about positioning is that I shouldn't be doing a "sway back" thing. So I get that my spine needs to be straight, but what about my tummy? Hold it in or let it hang? It seems to me that the whole point of being in that position would be to let it hang... so the baby's back would arch and the back of the head applied to the cervix. Right? Argh.

[GinnyMama]

Well crap. Nobody else knows, either? :

[Right of Passage]

Let it hang (but don't hurt yourself) if baby is in a funky position then you need to allow as much room for baby to move. Letting it hang out would give the most space, then use your core muscles to hold baby in place throughout the day.

[fyrebloom]

Keep your back straight and let the baby hang. You want the muscles loose so bubs has the maximum amount of room to rotate.

[GinnyMama]

Okay, cool! Thanks! LOA baby, here I come.

[Epona]

Originally Posted by Right of Passage

then use your core muscles to hold baby in place throughout the day.

You make it sound so easy.

[zoebird]

when you make your back flat, you are using the 'right' amount of muscle while i nthe position just by making it flat.

when you're walking around, yeah, you have to use more strength from the pelvic floor and transverse abdominals to help stabilize the "hammock."

[Kidzaplenty]

:

[wetcement101]

I wasn't familiar with spinningbabies, but checked it out from your post to make sure I understood your question. I did most of my stage 2 labor on hands and knees supported by an gliding ottoman (part of a gliding rocking chair.) I found the balance ball too big and cumbersome, but the ottoman was flat and more supportive. Anyway, just writing to say in my case I let it all hang out and had a fast, easy birth. FYI- I did a LOT of ab work with pilates and yoga during pregnancy to keep my core strong.