Specific Research or Quality Improvement Projects with Gail Tully’s Spinning Babies® Approach
When your colleague says, “Where’s the research?” share the link to this page.
Brewer, K., Leung, K., Forest, C., Gupta, A., Kliskey, E., Yeboah, T., … & Dumont, T. (2023). Racial disparities in birth satisfaction among nulliparous women. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 228(1), S348. This study looked at use of Spinning Babies® as a physiological support for birthing women of “racial and ethnic minorities”. Women with more challenging births had less satisfaction compared to women who didn’t rate their births as complicated; but other than such complicated birth, birth satisfaction didn’t seem to vary by race when supported with the Spinning Babies® approach. The use of our approach could be one intriguing way to equalize and promote physiological birth care among communities in the United States.
This research includes a partial application of concepts that Spinning Babies® propose in our approach. There will be a mention of Spinning Babies® but these are not research ON Spinning Babies®.
In Park’s pilot project nurses used a variety of comfort measures including techniques shared through Spinning Babies®. Gail Tully’s “Spinning Babies book” is cited, and very likely that book is Changing Birth on Earth, a book written for the Intrapartum nurse and midwife, since that was the main book available at the time this article was published.
3. Parkhideh, A. (2021). Radical Support: Understanding Doula Work as Resistance to Routinized Violence.
Ariana Parkhideh uses interviews and surveys to understand the perspectives of doulas on the Black maternal health crisis and the strategies they use to support clients. “Both Joy and Renie incorporate Spinning Babies®, a series of positioning, massage [massage isn’t actually a part of our approach though it’s lovely], and other techniques to facilitate easier childbirth by balancing the pelvis and potentially repositioning the fetus, into the services they provide to her birth clients… ”
Thank you, Joy and Renie, we are truly grateful to be included through your doula care to reduce violence against birth people and to be able to have something positive to offer Black Maternity.
4. Prata, J. A., Pamplona, N. D., Progianti, J. M., Mouta, R. J. O., Correia, L. M., & Pereira, A. L. D. F. (2021). Non-invasive care technologies used by obstetric nurses: therapeutics contributions. Escola Anna Nery, 26, e20210182.
5. Sanjaya, I. N. H., & Pemayun, C. I. M. (2023). Improving the quality of midwife services with gentle birth. Indonesian Journal of Perinatology, 4(1), 15-18. Includes Spinning Babies® as a method of gentle birthing.
1 (again, listed separately). Ueda, M. (2023). Implementing Nurse Education on Evidence-Based Birthing Positions for First and Second Stages of Labor to Promote Fetal Descent.
This is definitely not a study on Spinning Babies® but most nurses in this hospital were familiar with Spinning Babies®. Ueda interviewed nurses and asked what their confidence was with birth positions. “53.5% (n=23) of nurses had additional off-unit training for labor positions such as Spinning Babies®” Just less than half had no training in physiologic birth positions. The birth position posters shown the nurses to inspire position changes did not include Spinning Babies® recommended positions nor did they use our labor progress tracking approach. But it is important to note that half their staff was given at least one day of Spinning Babies® training. It is proposable to suggest that their project conclusions included a higher confidence in birth positioning with the added knowledge base that over half of their nurses had from self-obtained study with Spinning Babies®. They suggest that “The results of this project show that standardization of these labor positions is the next step to improving patient outcomes.” It would be wonderful to have Spinning Babies® birth positions poster inform more hospitals before assuming that birth positions are as basic as upright, on the back, or on the side.
6. Witkiewicz, M., Baranowska, B., Węgrzynowska, M., Kiersnowska, I., Karzel, K., Bączek, G., … & Tataj-Puzyna, U. (2024, April). Perinatal Outcomes and Level of Labour Difficulty in Deliveries with Right and Left Foetal Position—A Preliminary Study. In Healthcare (Vol. 12, No. 8, p. 864). MDPI. This study on fetal “starting” positions at the onset of labor or during the various phases of labor highly supports Gail Tully’s proposals. This study, however, is researching the effectiveness of the length of labor and outcomes that Jean Sutton talks about in Optimal Fetal Positioning.
Witkiewicz found: The distribution of individual initial positions of the head in the right foetal position was as follows: ROP 45.1%, ROT 35.4%, ROA 6.15%, and a position difficult to determine 13.35%. In the left position, it was as follows: LOA 28.6%, LOT 57.1%, LOP 4.3%, and a position difficult to determine 10%. And while LOA is often cited as Jean Sutton’s single optimal position, she said, and if you read all her material completely you’ll find it, that the left side is optimal, even rather the LOP. Spinning Babies® has based much emphasis on Jean Sutton’s affirmation that easier birth when baby begins on the left (which was first in 1800’s medical literature) and that VERY OFTEN But NOT ALWAYS a labor is more challenging when babies start labor on the right side before or at the time of engagement. Gail disagrees with Barth’s proposal not to take any measures to ease the ROP labor for those with a deeper AP inlet measurement. We propose “body balancing” for “all” and especially for those with a baby remaining on the right side, as well as other indicators, no matter inlet or pelvic shape, rather than a “wait and see” approach. We deeply appreciate the words of the authors to de-pathologize labors with babies on the right side of the uterus and emphasizing that physiology persists with any fetal position. That said, we take note when baby persists on the right side, whether in late pregnancy, labor onset, or any time during labor. We take note, we follow invitations to attend to physiology, but we don’t blame, shame, or defame us human beings or our birth process.
This article does not discuss recommendations of what to do and calls for more research (see studies in Section A. Research on Spinning Babies®). Congratulations to this research team for a very comprehensive observational report!
Here is research complementing Spinning Babies.® (Suggest more if you like an article that is not here.) These studies support the approach by showing the evidence of a concept or technique or birth position though they didn’t research our approach. These studies give credence to Spinning Babies® choices and beliefs. Some of the conclusions are not in sync with our conclusions, but the data shows important connections with our topics of discussion.
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Blanc-Petitjean, P., Le Ray, C., Lepleux, F., De La Calle, A., Dreyfus, M., & Chantry, A. A. (2018). Factors affecting rotation of occiput posterior position during the first stage of labor. Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction, 47(3), 119-125.
Bellussi, F., Livi, A., Cataneo, I., Salsi, G., Lenzi, J., & Pilu, G. (2020). Sonographic diagnosis of fetal head deflexion and the risk of cesarean delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 2(4), 100217.
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Broberg, J. C., & Caughey, A. B. (2021). A randomized controlled trial of prophylactic early manual rotation of the occiput posterior fetus at the beginning of the second stage vs expectant management. American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM, 3(2), 100327.
Bueno Lopez, V., Fuentelsaz Gallego, C., Casellas Caro, M., Falgueras Serrano, A. M., Crespo–Berros, S., Silvano-Cocinero, A. M., … &- Terré- -Rull, C. (2018). Efficiency of the modified Sims maternal position in the rotation of persistent occiput posterior position during labor: A randomized clinical trial. Birth.
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Dall’Asta, A., Rizzo, G., Masturzo, B., Eggebo, T., Flacco, M. E., Frusca, T., & Ghi, T. (2021). 480 Intrapartum sonographic features of cephalopelvic disproportion in non-occiput posterior fetuses: prospective multicenter study. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 224(2), S305-S306.
Elmore, C., McBroom, K., & Ellis, J. (2020). Digital and Manual Rotation of the Persistent Occiput Posterior Fetus. Journal of midwifery & women’s health, 65(3), 387-394.
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Ghi, T., Angeli, L., & Frusca, T. (2021). Fetal Head Rotation in Labor: Intrapartum Assessment at 2D and 3D Ultrasound. In Intrapartum Ultrasonography for Labor Management(pp. 275-283). Springer, Cham.
Gimovsky, A. C. (2021). The Role of Intrapartum Sonography in Persistent Occiput Posterior Position and Prolonged Labor. In Intrapartum Ultrasonography for Labor Management(pp. 183-191). Springer, Cham.
Guerby, P., Allouche, M., Simon-Toulza, C., Vayssiere, C., Parant, O., & Vidal, F. (2018). Management of persistent occiput posterior position: a substantial role of instrumental rotation in the setting of failed manual rotation. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 31(1), 80-86.
Hofmeyr, G. J., & Singata-Madliki, M. (2020). The second stage of labor. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 67, 53-64.
Lieberman, E., Davidson, K., Lee-Parritz, A., & Shearer, E. (2005). Changes in fetal position during labor and their association with epidural analgesia. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 105(5), 974-982. (Gail strongly disagrees with conclusion that fetal position change is random.)
Malai, S., Pichaiyongwongdee, S., & Sakulsriprasert, P. (2015). Immediate Effect of Hold-Relax Stretching of Iliopsoas Muscle on Transversus Abdominis Muscle Activation in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain with Lumbar Hyperlordosis.
Mercier, R. J., & Kwan, M. (2018). Impact of peanut ball device on the duration of active labor: a randomized control trial. American journal of perinatology, 35(10), 1006-1011.
Nakao, S. et al. (2019) Chronic Effects of a Static Stretching Program on Hamstring Strength. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research
Oleksy, Ł., Mika, A., Kielnar, R., Grzegorczyk, J., Marchewka, A., & Stolarczyk, A. (2019). The influence of pelvis reposition exercises on pelvic floor muscles asymmetry: A randomized prospective study. Medicine, 98(2).
Othenin-Girard, V., Boulvain, M., & Guittier, M. J. (2018). Occiput posterior presentation at delivery: Materno-foetal outcomes and predictive factors of rotation. Gynecologie, obstetrique, fertilite & senologie, 46(2), 93-98.
Sandhofer, M., Schauer, P., Pilsl, U., & Anderhuber, F. (2019). Fascia glutealis as mediator of musculocutaneous dynamics in the buttocks region. Journal für Ästhetische Chirurgie, 12(1), 6-13.
Siccardi, M., Valle, C., Di Matteo, F., & Angius, V. (2019). A postural approach to the pelvic diameters of obstetrics: the dynamic external pelvimetry test. Cureus, 11(11).
Tang, G., Chan, Y. V., & Lau, W. L. (2016). P17. 08: Can intrapartum ultrasound assessment of fetal spine and head position predict persistent occiput posterior position at delivery?. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 48(S1), 223-223.
Thomas, E., Bianco, A., Paoli, A., & Palma, A. (2018). The relation between stretching typology and stretching duration: The effects on range of motion. International journal of sports medicine.
Wasson, C., & Chon, T. (2018). A Case of Sciatica During Labor Due to an Occiput Posterior Fetus. Cureus, 10(1).
You, T., Yang, B., Zhang, X. T., Ren, S. Y., Bai, L., Jiao, F. J., … & Zhang, W. T. (2020). A possible prediction of dystocia at the time of cesarean delivery: Gluteal muscle contracture, a single center experience from China. Medicine, 99(7).
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LeRay, Camille, Marion Carayol, Sébastien Jaquemin, Alexandre Mignon, Dominique Cabrol, and François Goffinet. “Is Epidural Analgesia a Risk Factor for Occiput Posterior or Transverse Positions during Labour?” European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 123.1 (2005): 22-26. Web.
Lieberman, Ellice, Karen Davidson, Aviva Lee-Parritz, and Elizabeth Shearer. “Changes in Fetal Position During Labor and Their Association With Epidural Analgesia.” Obstetrics & Gynecology 105.5, Part 1 (2005): 974-82. Web.
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Tully, Gail. “Belly Mapping; Using Kicks and Wiggles to Predict Posterior Labor.” International Doula Fall 2004: Volume 12-Issue 4. Web.
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