Posture question

498 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Lady Lilya, Mar 15, 2007

JanB

Discussion Starter · Mar 9, 2007

Okay, so I've read, and been told, that for the best chance of having a properly positioned baby, you should avoid sitting in positions where you are reclining or leaning back, in favor of positions where you are actually leaning forward somewhat, allowing your belly to be a "hammock" for the baby.

For about a week now, I've been making a concerted effort to never recline and to sit leaning forward when possible. For example right now instead of sitting in the comfortable armchair typing away at my laptop, I'm in a straight-backed chair at the kitchen table, leaning forward slightly and resting my weight on my forearms somewhat.

So here's my question: Why am I having increased lower back pain since I have been doing this? Yesterday my back was so bad that I wound up having to soak in the bathtub for 45 minutes to get some relief. This has seemed to coincide with trying to sit with proper baby posture. I thought this was supposed to help prevent back pain, not bring it on! Or am I doing something wrong? Advice?

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accountclosed3

· #2 · Mar 9, 2007

likely because you're over arching your back when you come forward.

but, lets back up a step.

as baby grows, we know that the back will curve a bit more to support thr weight, etc. but, what is common when people lean forward is to stick their butts back and stick their chests out and forward. this creates more of a curve than normal.

instead of this, draw your rib cage in a bit (back toward the back of the chair) as you lean forward. draw your head away from your shoulders, your shoulders down the back and then draw your hips toward the chair. you should feel your mid and lower back 'lengthen and open' rather than feeling more curvy.

this still provides the hammock, without the crunching of the lower back which leads to pain.

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RumiWithAView

· #3 · Mar 9, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoebird

instead of this, draw your rib cage in a bit (back toward the back of the chair) as you lean forward. draw your head away from your shoulders, your shoulders down the back and then draw your hips toward the chair. you should feel your mid and lower back 'lengthen and open' rather than feeling more curvy.

This feels amazing. Thanks for describing it!

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JanB

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 9, 2007

Thank you for the advice! It is definitely an improvement over how I was sitting before -- hopefully this solves the problem.

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meltf

· #5 · Mar 9, 2007

When baby #3 was breech at 36 weeks my chiro had me sitting on a yoga ball a lot (in addition to Webster) It felt so comfortable, much more so than sitting in the recliner or rocking chair like I had been before. I'm about ready to pull that Yoga ball back out. You can pick them up at Target for $10-$20

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Lady Lilya

· #6 · Mar 15, 2007

I have also heard that you should try to keep your knees lower than your pelvis while leaning forward.

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