The lunge is a technique to rock open the mid-pelvis between the ischial spines. This makes the most narrow part of the pelvis and the outlet open as the laboring woman leans towards her foot.
This simple technique can be used by a laboring woman as long as she can stand up and put one foot on a stool or a chair.
The lunge helps when labor stalls and the baby is near the mid-pelvis at 0 station, give or take a centimeter. It can help a baby who is lower than that when the stall in labor is due to a narrow pelvic outlet. It may also help a transverse arrest (when the baby is stuck between the ischial spines while facing the side/hip).
The mother faces forward. The chair (or stool) is to her side, not in front. The mother hangs on to the back of the chair or a support person. The person can stand in front of the mom, giving her eye contact. Her foot is flat on the chair, and the chair is stable.
During a contraction, she rocks towards her knee and back to standing straight again. Repeat through contraction. Breath deeply and slowly when possible. Relax the belly, buttocks, shoulders, and neck. It is important that she does not extend her knee past her foot, as she could strain her knee ligaments.
Rock gently towards the knee and away, like a fencer lunging towards an opponent. It doesn’t work if the mother’s knee is directly in front of herself.
Between contractions, she can put her foot down, rest her knee, and move her legs for circulation. Repeat for 10-12 contractions, switching legs according to results. The mother may have a hunch which leg is the right one, or she can do 5-6 contractions with each leg.
Her partner, doula, or friend can hold her for balance and comfort.
Lifting one leg to open that side of the mid-pelvis makes more room between the ischial spines, or the narrowest part of the interior pelvic passage. Lifting one leg up on a chair opens the mid-pelvis even more, but any amount of lift can be a good thing.
The Lunge opens the mid-pelvis. It is a good technique to be used in labor during a contraction. Lunges help:
When labor is asymmetrical, make the pelvis asymmetrical!
Use when regular contractions are present (especially if the baby is at 0 station or near it). Fairly moderate or strong contractions seem to work best with the lunge. This is because of the “spinning” power of the contractions.
Once you get regular contractions, you will be able to move into the lunge position as the contraction begins. Put your foot down after the contraction finishes to relax your leg and prevent tired legs.
Make sure the baby is engaged first. Do the Side-lying Release to make the lunge more successful.
A complementary technique is the Abdominal Lift. It is effective during active labor contractions as well, and helps occiput posterior babies rotate. It can be used when the baby is higher in the pelvis, from the brim down to the mid-pelvis, as the lunge is more effective for babies at the mid-pelvis.
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