How to do an inversion

An inversion is a technique for relaxing the lower uterine ligaments. It also helps a breech baby flip upside down. I learned the technique from Carol Phillips, a skilled chiropractor and craniosacral therapist who is knowledgable in the birthing process.

The Spinning Babies Website lists a number of reasons a pregnant woman might do an inversion. See "Using the inversion in late pregnancy." This blog tells you how.

Do the inversion if you feel athletic enough. Don't do it if you have trouble breathing, with asthma, for instance. Ask your caregiver if there is any medical reason you shouldn't do this. Don't do it right after your breech baby has turned head down.

1. Have a helper to brace your shoulders so you don't come down from the couch too fast.
2. Have your knees on the edge of the couch.
3. Come down slowly.
4. Brace yourself on your forearms.
5. Relax your belly.
6. Relax your neck and head.
7. Hold the pose for 30 seconds for a head down, posterior baby, or a minute for a breech or transverse baby, if you can. Start with shorter times in the pose and work up to 30 seconds.
8. Crawl forward, bringing one knee down to the floor and then the other.
9. Come to your hands and knees.
10. Sit up, on your heels and catch your breath.
Crawl around the room helping the weight of the womb settle forward.

Watch a 2 minute movie:

Emily and Ludvig are 36 weeks pregnant (8 months) and their baby has turned sideways -- into a transverse lie. See a photo of the transverse lie fetal position earlier on this blog. Emily uses the inversion to help relax her cervical ligaments that may be tight and twisting her lower uterus. There are other reasons that a baby may lie sideways in the womb, but this is a common reason, and one that Emily can do something about. She is also seeing a chiropractor and a midwife. She may also visit a craniosacral therapist or Maya massage therapist. She'd like to have a natural birth, so it is important that the baby turn head down.