The Benefits of OMP

OMP exercises, stretches, massage and gentle rebozo can be done by couples in pregnancy to provide relief from daily aches and pains and maintain dynamic equilibrium (alignment for birth) in mums body.

OMP positions and movements help couples work together in labour to maximise space in mums body for the progression of labour and provide focus, bonding and comfort.

Techniques relax and balance the pelvic floor, lengthen diaphragmatic muscles, relax ligaments connecting the uterus, pelvis, sacrum and hip flexors, change the orientation of the pelvis and open areas of the pelvis which create space for the baby to move down for normal vaginal birth.

OMP helps reduce tricky fetal positions such as Breech and Posterior (baby’s spine on mums spine) extended labours, inductions or cesarean section where babies are in positions that make birth difficult for mums. The mothers body and the way she moves in pregnancy and in labour impacts the birth. When you understand OMP you are able to work with your body to create the space within your pelvis to enable your baby’s cardinal movements which facilitates labour progress.

What about Optimal Fetal Positioning (OFP)?

There continues to be much discussion about optimal fetal positioning, and rightfully so because it is often the key to obtaining healthy vaginal births. The subject of ‘which way the baby is facing’ and how it can impact labour, has been documented in medical literature over the centuries by Midwives and Doctors alike.

When Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott wrote the book “Optimal Fetal Positioning’ based on compiled research of the position babies are in when they start off in labour, they found that the IDEAL fetal position is ultimately dependant on the shape of the mothers pelvis. So how the baby goes into and comes out is dependant on the shape of the mothers pelvis and how she moves in labour.

Bringing OFP + OMP together

Optimal Maternal Positioning (OMP) is an equally important concept which has a direct impact on Optimal Fetal Positioning (OFP). Creating a smooth path for the baby to navigate through the pelvis during labour and birth depends on the ability for the baby to work through the cardinal movements during the processes of descent and dilation. Because of this perspective, the teamwork between the mother and her baby will give her the best chance of a swifter easier birth. You can physically create a wider space in the inlet and outlet pelvis using OMP.