In early labor now? Or baby is just not in the ideal position?

For low backache or slow to progress labor, use the Miles Circuit

1. Open knee-chest
In early labor, use this for 4-5 contractions to allow baby to slide out of the pelvis, allowing for better head positioning. Follow with pretzel position as shown below. Partner: Add gentle hip jiggling to enhance.

Stay in this position for 30 minutes, starting cat/cow, then drop your chest as low as you can to the bed or the floor and your bottom as high as you can.

Knees should be fairly wide apart, and the angle between the torso/thighs should be wider than 90 degrees.

Wiggle around, prop with lots of pillows and use this time to get totally relaxed. This position allows the baby to scoot out of the pelvis a bit and gives them room to rotate, shift their head position, etc.

If the pregnant person finds it helpful, careful positioning with a rebozo under the belly, with gentle tension from a support person behind can help maintain this position for the full 30 minutes.

©TheMilesCircuitwww.milescircuit.com

2. Pretzel (Semi-Prone, Exaggerated Sims)
Following open knee-chest lie as close to on your belly as comfortable. Lower leg should be straight and back. Upper leg should be bent with knee hiked up on at least 2 pillows. Lower arm is back behind your ear, holding your pillow. Upper arm cradling another pillow for comfort. Partner: Add gentle hip jiggling to enhance.

Remember to trade sides every 4-5 contractions for body balance. We’re stretching soft tissues.

This is a WONDERFUL way to sleep during the final weeks of pregnancy. Change sides after each bathroom break!

Roll to your left side, bringing your top leg as high as possible and keeping your bottom leg straight.

Roll forward as much as possible, again using a lot of pillows.

Sink into the bed and relax some more.

If you fall asleep, that's totally okay and you can stay there!

If not, stay here for at least another half an hour.

Try and get your top right leg up towards your head and get as rolled over on to your belly as much as possible. If you repeat the circuit during labor, try alternating left and right sides.

3. Get Up & Get Active
Once contractions are now felt only in the front, secure baby's position with side lunges. Your feet should be at 90 degree angles with one another. Lean toward your raised foot, rocking the pelvis. Be sure to repeat on the other side for balance.

Lunge, walk stairs facing sideways on at a time, curb walk, circle on your ball, hula-anything that’s upright and putting your pelvis in open, asymmetrical positions. Spend at least 30” doing this one as well to give your baby a chance to move down.

The key with the lunge is that the toe of the higher leg and mom’s belly should be at right angles. Do not lunge over your knee – that closes the pelvis.