Posture in Pregnancy; Rest Smart

Gravity-friendly maternal posture is the 2nd Principle of Spinning Babies. Here are some Rest Smart suggestions for pregnancy. These postures can also be used in labor. Think of your belly as a hammock and let the baby lie with his or her back settling into the hammock. Pass the flashlight test.

 

Jean Sutton, co-author of Understanding and Teaching Optimal Foetal Positioning, recommends we sit with our:

    * Knees lower than the level of our hips
    * Belly lower than your hips
    * Let your belly be a hammock for your baby.
     * Let your lower back sway forward as you stand and walk


      Sit on a kitchen chair - backwards! 

Jean Sutton suggests the Swedish chair be put on rockers. 

When using an exercise ball make sure your hips are not lower than your knees! 

Keep a straight back (the drawing is showing leaning forward).

 

Katy Says on her Facebook called Aligned and Well

"I've said this before, but it can't be said too many times: Posture does not equal alignment. Posture is how something looks. Alignment is how something works. "Good posture" is cultural and is typically horrible alignment."

Katy Bowman is always catching us on phrases and words we use too loosely. She's got a lot to say and you may learn A LOT from visiting www.AlignedandWell.com 

 

"Rest Smart" Nap or sleep in positions that let your baby's back settle in your "hammock."

While resting or while on bed rest, make a little pillow nest to lay nearly on your tummy. Pillows hold your weight off the baby. Use your breastfeeding pillow, curve your body pillow, or semi-inflate a swim doughnut to dip your belly in the "nest." It's so comfy.

Sometimes you may want to just lay on either side. One hip is directly over the other, like a right angle. Don't lean back, at least not for long. Leaning back without support can give you a muscle cramp. Change sides frequently for comfort and to help the uterus be a little  more symmetrical.

 

Changing positions is good for the baby in general. If your care provider asks you to avoid a position, ask them why. It may be that monitoring of the baby's heartbeat or your blood pressure shows that a particular position is not good for you at that time. In general though, switching sides during the night is helpful for you and the baby.

 

Computer posture in pregnancy

 

Sit on a Swedish chair or exercise ball for a straight back. Let the abdomen become the hammock for the baby.

Elbows and knees are at a 45 degree angle and wrists float above the keyboard.

A ball helps your hip keep moving. Get up and move around frequently.