Hammock or Lounge Chair?

If you are in your third trimester, you are probably thinking about where your baby is in your uterus.  Is that the bum?  Is that a foot?  As your due date nears you might also be worrying about optimal fetal positioning for birth.  Ideally, baby is head down with his back against your tummy.  So how can you encourage that position?

Getting down on your hands and knees is one of the easiest ways to encourage baby to hang out in that ideal position.  When you are on your hands and knees, your uterus is like a hammock  Baby wants to settle in.  Conversely, when you spend a lot of time seated, especially slouched or on an incline, baby is going to want to lie his back on your back like a lounge chair.

Since most of us are required to sit for long periods during the day, it is important to make time to get down on all fours each day during your third trimester.  It will also relieve your lower back and give you ideas for labouring positions.  If your wrists are bothering you, go on your elbows and knees instead.  You can also kneel and lean your upper body on a couch or fit ball.

Here are some ideas for exercises and stretches you can do on all fours:

Cat Stretch

Super Moms

Need more ideas?  Ask your local Fit 4 Two Instructor