Biomechanics for birth - helpful techniques for pregnancy and labour

Sep 27, 2026

Biomechanics for birth provides home-based movement and soft-tissue techniques from the third trimester to support pelvic positioning during pregnancy and labour. It explains when and why each technique can be used, including options depending on whether the baby is at the opening, mid-pelvis, lower pelvis, back-to-back, or off to the side. The guide also includes relaxation and breathing methods before trying techniques and emphasizes informed consent and safety, recommending that discomfort or pain be avoided and concerns be discussed with a midwife.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Preparing for techniques

Relax, breathe

Golden thread breath

Biomechanics techniques

The Jiggle

Side lying release (SLR)

Abdominal sifting (using the Rebozo)

Biomechanics for birth – helpful techniques for pregnancy and labour During pregnancy and in childbirth, changing your position and using specific techniques can create movement in the pelvis and encourage your baby into the best position. This is called biomechanics for birth. This guide has been created to help you try these techniques at home from your third trimester onwards. It will explain when, how and why each technique can be used. If you have any questions, please speak to your midwife. Why would we suggest trying biomechanics? If labour is progressing as expected and there are no concerns, then these techniques may not all be necessary, but can help achieve and maintain the best position for your baby. Sometimes labour might be slow, delayed or not progressing because of your baby’s position. The midwife may know this after feeling for your baby’s position through your bump or during a vaginal examination. These techniques can help relieve discomfort and help your baby to get in the best position for labour and birth to progress smoothly, and may reduce the chance of needing interventions, for example , a birth assisted by forceps. Most peoples’ bodies have a dominant side, and day to day activities such as carrying bags, driving a car, and how we sit can cause tightness in our ligaments and muscles. Soft tissue biomechanics techniques, such as ‘side lying release’, ‘jiggle’ and rebozo, can also be comforting and relaxing and can help ligaments and muscles to work as best as possible for birth. Anyone performing these techniques for you should have your full informed consent. You should be comfortable, and these techniques should never cause pain or discomfort. Where is your baby located in the pelvis? Your midwife can assess how high or low your baby is in your pelvis. Different positions and techniques can support your baby’s position, depending on whether your baby’s head is in the opening of the pelvis, mid pelvis or in the lower pelvis. | Baby is at the opening of the pelvis:
• Abdominal lift and tuck
• Knees apart, soles together | | --- | | • Baby is mid-pelvis:
• Side-lying release
• Forward leaning inversion
• Open knee chest
• Lunge | | Baby is in the lower pelvis:
• Knees in, soles out – you can also use peanut ball
• Side-lying release early in second stage | | --- | | • Baby is ‘back-to-back’:
• Side-lying release
• Dip the hip
• Abdominal lift and tuck (mid pelvis to inlet)
• Lunge (mid pelvis)
• Forward leaning inversion | | Baby is off to one side (OT) :
• Forward leaning inversion
• Side-lying release
• Lunge
• Squatting
• Resting in upright/forward position | RELAX, BREATHE – preparing for the techniques Before beginning any of the biomechanics techniques described in this leaflet, breathing techniques can relax your muscles and bring a sense of calm. Resting breath • As you breathe in, slowly count 1, 2, 3. As you take a longer breath out, count 1, 2, 3, 4. • As you get comfortable doing this, your breath might become longer and deeper. You can count more slowly, calming your nervous system. • You might find that words help you focus on the breath. As you breathe in, think “Breathing in, I am calm. Breathing out, I am calm, I am relaxed”. You might not feel calm at the beginning but using the words will help you focus on that possibility. • Repeat as many times as is helpful. Golden thread breath • Breathe in through your nose. Breathe out through your mouth, with the lips and jaw relaxed. Imagine lots of golden threads, moving with your breath, out of the mouth to slowly fill the whole room. • Rather than pursing the lips like you are blowing out a candle, let your face be as relaxed as possible. Yawning is good as it relaxes the jaw muscles. Imagine the lower jaw becoming heavy. • Repeat as many times as is helpful. Biomechanics techniques THE JIGGLE – improving rotation and descent of your baby

FAQs

What is biomechanics for birth and who is it for?

It is a set of position-changing and soft tissue techniques used during pregnancy and childbirth. This guide is intended for trying techniques at home from the third trimester onwards to support the baby’s best position.

How do I choose the right technique based on the baby’s position?

Your midwife assesses whether the baby is at the opening, mid-pelvis, or lower pelvis. Different techniques are suggested for each location, including options for back-to-back positioning and being off to one side (OT).

What should I do before starting the biomechanics techniques?

Use the leaflet’s breathing methods first to relax muscles and promote calm, such as resting breath and golden thread breath. Ensure you have comfort, give informed consent for anyone touching you, and avoid any pain or discomfort during techniques.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery