BPrincess (and anyone else with naughty breech or back-to-back babies), you might be interested in this advice, which I've taken from a hand-out from our NCT class:
OPTIMAL POSITIONING
This information is to encourage your baby to go into the ideal position for birth before labour begins. If your baby is coming head first and a single baby (not multiple pregnancies), then from 34 weeks onwards this advice is given to encourage your baby to lie with his or her back to your left side/front, encouraging your baby to engage, thereby enjoying as normal and straightforward a birth as possible.
Please note this advice is only meant to complement your antenatal care, and may not be suitable for all women or all pregnancies. Always consult your childbirth/health professionals.
DO:
-Regularly use upright and forward leaning postures. This allows more available space in the pelvis for your baby to turn.
-Sit with knees lower than hips, with back straight as possible. Use pillows or cushions under the bottom and in the small of the back.
-Sit to read on a dining chair with elbows resting on dining table, knees apart, leaning slightly forward. (Similar posture used when sitting on the loo!)
-Sit facing chair back and resting arms on back of dining chair.
-Kneel on the floor leaning over a large beanbag or floor cushion to watch T.V.
-Use an office stool or Pregnancy Comfort Rocker. Make sure knee pad is wider than seat to allow knees to be kept wide apart and hips to turn outwards.
-Put a wedge cushion under bottom when driving.
-Swim with abdomen forward.
-When resting/ sleeping, lie on your side, preferably left, with a pillow between the legs, the top knee resting on the bed.
IT IS IDEAL TO USE FORWARD LEANING POSTURES WHEN HAVING BRAXTON HICKS (PRACTICE CONTRACTIONS) AS THIS INCREASES THEIR EFFECTIVENESS WITH REGARD TO HELPING THE BABY MANOEUVER HIMSELF INTO THE OPTIMUM POSITION.
DON?T:
-Relax in semi-reclining positions that have your knees higher than your hips.
-Take long trips in cars with bucket seats. If you must, use wedge cushion as above.
-Sit with legs crossed.
-Use squatting as an exercise in late pregnancy as this may force the baby?s head into the pelvis before it is in the correct position.
USEFUL POSITIONS DURING LABOUR (SOME CAN WORK WELL IN A BIRTHING POOL)
-If possible stay on your feet, leaning forward and rocking hips side to side/ up and down with each contraction.
-Keep your bottom wiggling during contractions!
-Lean forwards over a beanbag.
-Hang onto something with arms well above waist height (eg partner?s neck!) and let your body sag, turning knees outward.
-Sit your partner on a chair, kneel on the floor knees apart, and lean on his thighs. (This is great because he can rub your back. at the same time!)
-Get on all fours either on bed or floor, whichever you prefer.
-If you are on the bed, lie on your side. Preferably left.
TRY TO AVOID LYING ON YOUR BACK IN A RECLINING POSITION IN BED.
N.B. - Effective labour has only begun when your tummy changes shape with each contraction.