Preparing your Pelvis for Birth

Birth is a completely natural and normal process. In fact, a woman’s body has an innate intelligence that allows it to “know” how to birth a baby, much like a woman’s body knows how to breathe. However, sometimes you can run into challenges, such as “failure to progress,” which can lead to intervention.
The million dollar question is clear: if this is such a natural and normal process, why do some women experience issues progressing during birth? There are a wide range of answers to that question, but one reason is pelvic balance. This article will help you learn more about preparing your pelvis for a safe and happy birth experience.
The pelvis is made up of three bones, the sacrum (in the middle at the base of your spine) and the two ilia (the bones that make up the sides of your pelvis). The uterus sits above these bones in the lower abdominal area and held is up by ligaments.
Along with the help of a hormone called relaxin, these bones are meant to spread apart and allow baby to enter the world when it is ready. However, this doesn’t always happen easily for some women due to body issues that can result in difficulty during birth. Here are two important structural factors that can arise:
Intrauterine constraint:
This essentially means that the baby is “constrained” within the uterus due to some sort of external force. The uterus is held up in the pelvis by several ligament that are attached to bony structures, and any asymmetry in these ligamentous or bony structures from one side of the body to the other can result in this constraint.
Lack of proper movement or misalignment of the pelvic bones:
If the pelvic bones are not properly aligned or become “stuck,” they may not have the freedom to accommodate the baby as it makes its way through the birth canal.
There are several ways for you to ensure a balanced pelvis leading up to birth. In order for birth to progress properly, the uterus and pelvic bones have to be balanced and without constraint. Here are some tips to help you prepare your pelvis for an upcoming birth. It would be optimal to start implementing these tips prior to a pregnancy, but it is never too late to start!
Get to your Chiropractor:
Seeing a chiropractor during your pregnancy is an excellent way to ensure that your pelvis is balanced. One study published in the Journal of the International Chiropractic Association in 1994 showed that women who received chiropractic adjustments during their pregnancy experienced a significant reduction in the average length of time spent in labour. Data showed a nearly 25% reduction in the labour time for first time moms, and a 33% reduction in average labour time for women who had given birth in the past.
Back to Class:
Take a Bradley Method class to help you learn exercises that prepare your pelvis for birth.
Mat Time:
Do prenatal yoga to help encourage movement in your pelvic structures.
Stay Straight:
Avoid twisting yoga poses because any deep twisting in the spine, especially later on in pregnancy, can cause intrauterine constraint (see description above).
Snuggle Up:
Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to allow for a neutral pelvic position. This will reduce the chances of pelvic misalignment.
No Slouch:
Avoid sitting on a saggy couch because this position places unnecessary pressure on the sacrum and other pelvic structures.
Get Up and Go:
Avoid sitting for extended periods of time. Sitting can cause restriction in the pelvic bones leading up to birth. It’s best to move as much as you can in the time leading up to your baby’s birth.