Walcher's Position

 

Walcher's position is a technique used in labor to open the pelvic brim. It's a great position that can be held through 2-4 contractions for maximum effect.  This technique can do wonders for a baby that may be need a bit of assistance rotating and getting into the birth canal.

It is very helpful with a baby that is not coming into the pelvis such as an asynclitic presentation or in the OP (occiput posterior aka sunnyside up position) and may need to be held longer than 4 contractions for maximum effect.

It can easily be done with a woman with an epidural by dropping the feet of the bed and putted a rolled up blanket, sheet or mat under her hips just at the pelvic brim.  The woman should feel like she is arching her back.

Click here for some photos and more about Walcher's technique.

Occiput Posterior

The occiput posterior position, otherwise known as "OP" or "the baby is posterior" is when the baby head down but the face is looking up or facing the mother's pubis symphsis.  Another common term to describe the occiput posterior position is: the baby is "sunny-side up"
More commonly, when labor begins and the baby descends into the pelvis, the baby is facing the mother's spine and has his face looking at the mother's back.  This position is known as occiput anterior or OA.
These pictures to the right are examples of the baby descending in the occiput posterior position.
When a baby is posterior, this may envoke anxiety in a mother as she has heard stories about the difficulties this can bring on in labor.  However, often when the baby is posterior, there may be a reason: either the shape of the mother's pelvis, position of the placenta or umbilical cord, or size and gestation of the baby. This position may be the prefered position for some babies.

Turning a baby that is occiput posterior
Most babies that begin labor in the posterior postion will roate on their own to the favorable anterior position.  For some labors it can be advantageous to attempt to assist this rotation before labor begins or in early labor by:

• Remaining upright and walking/hiking
• Climbing stairs
• Doing squats and lunges
• Avoid recliner chairs or an excessively reclined position
• Do the cat/cow yoga pose 
• Acupuncture can assist in rotating the baby and getting the baby to engage into the pelvis
• Consult your OB provider about homeopathic remedies to ready the cervix & uterus
• Ask a provider to determine if the baby is right, left or center posterior and try different side-lying positions accordingly.

 
CAT COW POSITION
Always consult with your OB provider before attempting any exercise routine in pregnancy or labor.