Mile High Doula Services - Optimal Fetal Positioning

What is Optimal Fetal Positioning?
Optimal Foetal Positioning (OFP) is a theory developed by midwife, Jean Sutton and an
antenatal teacher Pauline Scott, who found that the mother's position and movement could
influence the way her baby lay in the womb in the final weeks of pregnancy. The theory has
not been thoroughly studied although it has shown that women who practice the positions
beginning at 34-36weeks and continue throughout the final weeks of pregnancy, have
shorter labors. A first time mom could possibly have a 6-8 hour labor and subsequent births
could have a 4-6 hour labor. Babies also tend to come closer to their due date because the
mom is encouraging the "optimal position," allowing the baby to engage and place
pressure on the cervix.
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I began teaching Optimal Fetal Positioning in October 2005. I was taught the techniques by
a wonderful doula who has spent many hours studying and teaching OFP. Prior to Oct 2005,
I had 10 births with the majority of them being induced due to being "overdue," many ended
in c-sections, and 50% of them were over 20 hours. Since then, I have supported over 30
private clients and have seen a drastic improvement in the length of labor and the
outcomes. There have been fewer inductions due to being "overdue" and only a handful of c-
sections.

What you will learn:

positions that encourage your baby to get or stay in the optimal position.
positions that are useful with an epidural or pain medication.
that the optimal position is more then being just head down.
the movements your baby has to go through in order to be born.
the reflexes that must be triggered in order for your baby to be born.
how to help your baby have less pain and an easier birth for him/her.
how to help yourself have a more satisfying birth experience.

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It is important to remain upright and active throughout your labor. If you choose pain
medication or an epidural there are things you can do in the bed to encourage your baby to
rotate and move into a better position for birth. While OFP works best during labor with a
mother who is laboring naturally (without pain medication), it is still very useful to mothers
who plan for pain medication during labor. The positions are beneficial during the last few
weeks of pregnancy and are extremely useful during labor before you receive pain
medication. Many women who are progressing steadily choose not to receive pain
medication.

This class is $45 per couple. If you would like to put on a class in your home with other
expectant parents, it is $30 per couple.

OFP is a theory and has not been studied thoroughly. These position MAY encourage baby into the
optimal position but there is no guarantee that you will have a shorter, easier, or less painful labor. The
positions are beneficial regardless of the position of your baby and will not hurt you or your baby. Please
consult your care provider if you are worried about the position of your baby.