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Christina Nikki Bergen | PILATES + PELVIC HEALTH
@thebellemethod

308,999 followers

We are often told it’s unsafe to lie or sleep on our back in pregnancy due to the pressure of baby on your vena cava - the main vein that brings blood back to your heart. It’s recommended to sleep on your side- ideally left. BUT when it comes to birth, the rules evidently change. Many providers require you to be on your back for pushing. You might be there for hours. Why? It’s more convenient for them. It’s how they were trained. Now, if you prefer to be on your back for pushing - all the power to you! It should be YOUR choice. 👌 We know evidence supports the benefits of “sacrum freeing” positions like hands and knees, squatting & side lying to speed up labour, reduce long term pelvic floor dysfunction like prolapse & incontinence, and open the pelvic outlet (see yesterday's post). So to summarize: We are scaring women about lying on their back during pregnancy, but then requiring them to push on their back despite evidence showing it’s WORSE for the pelvic floor and prolongs labour. Think about this critically for a hot second. I interviewed Dr Michael Klein for our @wegotherepodcast. He’s 84 and single-handedly responsible for ending the terribly misguided practice of routine episiotomies after his randomized control trial. He’s a freaking legend). His words, “Obstetric practice isn’t going to change from within the system. The only way change will happen is if women demand it.” Learning how to effectively self-advocate is a big component to our Prenatal Pilates & Push Prep Course. ✨ (Side note- please do not stress if you wake up and find yourself on your back. Get a good night sleep however you can. If there is venous compression you will feel slightly dizzy and roll over.) Were you told to push on your back? And also told to avoid being on your back in pregnancy?? #obstetrics #laboranddelivery #pregnancy #birthpreparation #thebellemethod #birthisbeautiful #midwives #birtheducation #doula #pushprep