Your body is perfectly designed to promote a healthy pregnancy
and childbirth. For the majority of healthy women, childbirth
progresses spontaneously without complications. However, there
are steps you can take to promote this normal progression, and
there are factors that can interfere with it. Many physical
factors can promote the progression of labor. The position of
your baby might play a role. Most babies navigate best through
the pelvis if they are head down, with their face toward your
spine. This is called an anterior position. During the last
weeks of pregnancy, try to promote this positioning of your
baby. Avoid lying on your back. When relaxing, choose forward
leaning positions such as sitting on a physical therapy ball
with your legs apart. When resting or sleeping, lay on your side
as far to your stomach as you comfortably can. As contractions
begin, choose positions of comfort. Freedom of movement and
frequent position changes can help the baby choose optimal
positions for birth. Upright positio