Optimal Maternal positioning (OMP)

Optimal Maternal Positioning (OMP)

Optimal Maternal positioning (OMP) is a system of exercises, movements, positions, stretches, massage tools, specific pressure applications, and other techniques that help create alignment and mobility within a mother’s pelvis, to ultimately facilitate cardinal movements of the baby. This enables and allows labour to progress. It creates space within your pelvis for a safer, easier, and more convenient birth.

There is a lot of discussion around the optimal foetal positioning and how it can affect labour. Throughout your pregnancy, your baby will move around in the uterus. It’s normal for your baby to be in a variety of positions during most of the pregnancy. Early on, the baby is small enough to move freely (you may have even felt this movement). As the baby grows bigger, movement will become more limited. Towards the end of the pregnancy, baby will start to move into position for birth. This typically involves flipping over so that the baby is head down in your womb. The baby will start to move down in your uterus, getting into position to travel down the birth path during childbirth.

The ideal birthing position is head-down, facing the mother’s back with the chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis. This position is called cephalic presentation.

The goal is to safely deliver your baby and ensure your well-being. If the baby is in a different position (not a cephalic presentation), this job becomes more challenging. Different fetal positions have a range of difficulties and the risks can vary depending on the position of your child.

This is where ‘Optimal Maternal Positioning’ (OMP) comes into play. OMP is an equally important concept which has a direct impact on optimal foetal positioning. The aim is to help facilitate room to create a smooth path for the baby to navigate through the pelvis during labour and birth.

OMP Online program is a really convenient way to learn at your own pace as you master the techniques and positions to give you the confidence for a safe and empowered birth experience. It also connects you into the OMP online Community. Find out more about Optimal Maternal Positioning HERE.

The content in the course is very complementary to our Hypnobirthing Australia/Hypnobubs programs – so we can recommend this course from personal experience.