Why Movement Matters in Labor 🩷 From Your Homesteading Doula 🌻🌼

Labor is not something your body does wrong when it takes time.
It’s something your body does well — in rhythm, in waves, and with wisdom.

One of the most powerful ways to support this process is simple: movement.

When you move your body during labor — even in small ways — you’re helping your baby find their way through the birth canal. You're creating space, shifting tension, and encouraging descent. And it’s not just “move around a bit” — the type of movement matters, especially at different stages of labor.

Change Position Every 5 Contractions

A good general rhythm for labor is this:
change position every 5 contractions.

Why? Because it helps prevent things from stalling. Staying in one place too long can allow baby to settle into a less-than-ideal position. Gentle movement — rotating hips, shifting weight, leaning forward, or changing sides in bed — helps keep labor progressing and supports optimal fetal positioning.

It doesn’t need to be dramatic. Even small movements or re-adjustments make a difference. You can use this simple rhythm as a gentle check-in during labor:

“Has it been five contractions? Okay, time to shift.”

The Pelvis Has Three Levels — and Each Needs Something Different

Your pelvis isn’t just one fixed space. It has three parts that your baby moves through, and each opens best in different ways.

Here’s what helps — and when — for each part:

1. Pelvic Inlet

Where baby enters the pelvis — early labor and early active labor

Goal: Help baby get engaged in the pelvis.
Try:

• Hands and knees

• Sitting on a birth ball, leaning forward

• Standing and swaying

• Forward-leaning positions like leaning on a counter or bed

🕒 When to use:
Early labor and early active labor — when contractions are regular but baby hasn’t fully dropped yet.

2. Midpelvis

The narrowest part — where rotation matters

Goal: Help baby rotate and navigate the tightest part of the pelvis.
Try:

• Asymmetrical positions (like lunges or one leg up on a stool)

• Side-lying with a peanut ball between the legs

• Stair walking

• Standing hip circles

• Kneeling with one leg forward (“Captain Morgan” pose)

🕒 When to use:
Mid-to-late active labor, especially if things slow down or contractions become irregular.

3. Pelvic Outlet

Where baby exits — transition and pushing stage

Goal: Help baby descend under the pubic bone and out.
Try:

• Deep squat with support

• Kneeling with knees wide and chest upright

• Hands and knees with bum slightly elevated

• Side-lying with knees lower than hips

🕒 When to use:
Transition and second stage (pushing). These positions open the outlet and support gentle descent.

What About the Peanut Ball?

If you’re laboring in bed (especially with an epidural), movement can feel limited. But there’s a beautiful tool that helps: the peanut ball.

A peanut ball is a firm, peanut-shaped cushion placed between the knees or ankles. It gently opens the pelvis, supports asymmetry, and helps baby rotate and move down. It’s especially helpful in:

• Side-lying positions

• Semi-reclined or “open knee” positions

• Use in rotation every 30–60 minutes

Research shows peanut ball use can shorten labor and lower the risk of cesarean, especially for first-time mothers.

Keep Moving, Keep Listening

Birth doesn’t happen in a straight line.
Sometimes things pause, shift, or circle back. That’s okay.

Let your body lead. Trust the signs.
Move often. Change positions. Open the way.
Every small shift is a quiet reminder to your baby:
“This way, little one.”