baby positioning.... I think I read too much...

[kethry]

Ok, I have read everything there is about baby positioning.... and I think I have freaked myself out for nothing.... so I am looking for reassurance.

This is my first babe and I am 39 weeks. Last week she was riding along just fine at LOA and I was fat and happy because I had read that it was a good position for labor. Overnight one night - she flipped to ALMOST OA but more on the right hand side- so I guess technically ROA....

So I am freaked by the possibility of her flipping posterior. She is starting to settle down into things and since all the stuff that I have read says that our bodies like to turn things clockwise.... I am worried...
Should I be?
Should I be on my hands and knees all the time encouraging babe to stay in the middle or flip more to the left?
Has anyone had a good result with an ROA baby? What has been your experience?
I am sure my body knows what to do - this happened after my BH kicked way up and seemed to want to turn the babe - but with all this information out there, it is SO easy to overthink things and worry about something that is probably not worth worrying about.... :
Help!
-Sarah

[xelakann]

I'm with you on this question... I can't wait to hear the responses you get.

[lotus.blossom]

I did everything that I could at the end of my pregnancy to keep a good position(sitting upright, pelvic tilts, chiropractic adjustments), but the instant I went into labor I had a posterior baby I could feel the change with my first contraction.

I pulled up some threads here recently about pelvic shape and the incidence of posterior babies. I can't remember where but you could do a search. I'm not saying that you should slouch on the couch all day but ultimately don't drive yourself nuts and make yourself uncomfortable!

[JamieCatheryn]

Sleep on your left side and relax during the day leaning forward a bit, like cross legged (what's the PC term now, criss cross applesauce? hehe) on the floor if that's comfortable enough. My son was ROA and it made for a long labor, but apart from that everything went well.

[maman_a_deux]

I had an ROA baby for my first vaginal delivery and it went super fast. 5cm to born in less than 30 min. What I've learned as a Doula and basic birth junkie (also from my homebirth midwife) is not to stress too much on the whole issue. LOA & ROA are both good, LOA being prefereable. However, the one I'm due with in a week went postier after being ROA for a month. I got in with a Chiro. (who knows about adjusting for optimal positioning, ask if they do the Webster technique) and my sacrum was locked up and I had some tight tendons. Since I've been seeing her baby has been moving into better positons, but not staying there yet full time.

Basically, if you are sitting correctly and you are well adjusted so you know your sacrum and ligaments are in good shape, don't sweat it. Babies can turn in labor (all but 3 percent do by delivery in mom's without an epidural). I have had to stop fretting and just trust that this baby will know what to do when the time comes
Erin

[kethry]

Originally Posted by maman_a_deux

I had an ROA baby for my first vaginal delivery and it went super fast. 5cm to born in less than 30 min. ...

Wow! That's encouraging. While I know it would be disorienting.... It seems nice to think about getting it over and done with quickly!

I have had to stop fretting and just trust that this baby will know what to do when the time comes
Erin

Thank you so much. Sometimes I think all of the information out there can make a mama think TOO much and lose trust. Thanks for sharing your experience. I just keep telling myself that babe will know what to do. I always knew these big hips would be good for something....
-Sarah

[tanyalynn]

My first was ROA for labor (I write that because she was swiveling around like mad for the final few weeks), and I don't think it really affected anything. It was pretty much a normal, first-time mom labor. My midwife (for my 1st) wasn't worried, and when I asked more questions to my new midwife (for my 2nd) she said that in her experience, ROA and LOA are pretty similar.

[phoebemommy]

I was like you -- obsessing over the ROA/LOA thing, because I was doing everything right but my baby simply liked ROA better. I honestly have no idea what he did during labor, though, because it was fast and furious -- 4 hours start to finish with 10 minutes of pushing. And, he came out face down with no problems whatsoever.