Between now and 32 weeks, most babies turn so they are head-down and bottom-up. By 34 weeks, your care provider expects baby to be head-down. That’s because once baby’s head is heavy enough, gravity brings it down into a symmetrical womb.
Some babies stay bottom-down (breech) or sideways (transverse). But why is that? Sometimes a placenta is below the baby, blocking baby from getting head-down. Often, there is a simple need for balance — the first principle of Spinning Babies®. Uterine ligaments and muscles may be either too tight, asymmetrical (twisted or torqued), or too loose. The SI joints or the symphysis pubis may be out of alignment, as well.
This is not your fault. We simply live in an era where a slight twist in the pelvis is common. Think of those repetitive actions like pressing the gas pedal, crossing your legs, or carrying a toddler on your hip. Pelvic asymmetry could also be caused by a sports injury or a sudden stop from a fender bender.
Don’t worry! You can work to align the pelvis and relax tight uterine ligaments. Start by finding a Chiropractor who knows the Webster Technique and who specializes in working with pregnant people. Even better if the chiropractor or bodyworker is a Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner (your can find one near you in our searchable directory here).
Regarding breech, some doctors don’t make suggestions for turning a breech until 36 weeks since many babies turn on their own. Frankly, many providers don’t realize that body balancing gives baby an increased chance of turning on their own. For this reason, we’ve put together a handy 6-day program for parents who are 30 weeks pregnant or more with a breech baby. We find it is easier for babies to turn now because there is a higher water-to-baby ratio than in future weeks.
