What a title for a blog. The art of fetal positioning. I would have raised an eyebrow too. But I'll tell you what. After years of treating women throughout pregnancy, this direction of upskilling, for me - it just made SENSE.
I’m proud to say that the majority of times that an expectant mother comes to see me, we’ve been able to work together to create long lasting relief. There have been times however, where between myself and other allied health providers, we’ve not quite been able to give the full relief both mother and practitioners desired. And now I know why. We may have simply been missing the most subtle clues AND PATTERNS, that only very distinct knowledge, experience, and practice can really bring.
With the help of an excellent course provider* I brushed up on my anatomy, learned unique (to manual therapists) abdominal palpations for baby + tension. I discovered how to look for clues and avoid commonly missed information that a woman's body and baby is (now obviously) trying to give. And experimented already known techniques + some new gentle, but highly effective releases for soft tissues and nervous systems. Through visual assessment and palpation of not only a mothers body but also how her baby sits within her, communicates to us the support they both need for a comfortable pregnancy and an empowered physiological birth.
Learning the skill and knowledge of understanding where the baby is, why the baby is in that position, and if they’re in a position that is most optimal, or one that is perhaps not as desired, was probably the game changer for me. I’d been looking at the mother only. And not really focusing on the baby. Reflecting back now, I can recall cases where this work could have helped. But I had no knowledge of this work until I came across a very talented midwife. Let alone know of anyone who did this kind of work to whom I could refer to. But now, through body work and nervous system support, we can quite possibly try to position mothers and their babies for a more comfortable pregnancy and a higher chance of no birth intervention. This work supports. It does not force.
I’m truly in awe again of my craft. How working on a specific muscle, ligament, fascial line, scars, adhesions. Breath. A woman's nervous system - her energy; can create so much impact. And that the skill isn’t in the release, it’s in the response. The response of the body under my hands + on my table.
Gosh we’re magical creatures. We have such intelligent bodies that always know what it needs. We only need to listen, interpret and respond. And spread this midwifery kind of knowledge, because all expectant mothers deserve access to BETTER informed, compassionate support in pregnancy. Support that helps them to feel more connected, seen + strong as they prepare for birth.
Adios.
Gracia x.
*Course mentioned:
The G.Lorri Fetal Positioning Method.
