Turning an OP Baby: Spinning Babies Techniques for Optimal Fetal Positioning
Turning an OP Baby: Spinning Babies Techniques for Optimal Fetal Positioning When your baby is in the occiput posterior (OP) position, labor may take longer and feel more intense due to back labor or inefficient contractions. The OP position, where the baby's back is aligned with the mother's back, can make it harder for the baby to navigate the pelvis. Fortunately, Spinning Babies offers evidence-based techniques to encourage your baby to rotate into the optimal position for birth—occiput anterior (OA). Here are some key techniques recommended by Spinning Babies to help turn an OP baby: 1. The Forward-Leaning Inversion This technique helps to create room in the lower uterine segment, encouraging the baby to move into a more favorable position. To perform: Kneel on the edge of a sturdy surface (like a couch). Slowly lower your hands to the floor, keeping your knees on the surface and your hips higher than your head. Hold the position for 30 seconds to a minute, then c...