Spinning Babies® A Game Changing Approach for Expectant Mothers

As a birth doula serving the Philadelphia area, I've seen countless transformative techniques that can make childbirth more manageable and empowering. One approach that consistently benefits my clients is the Spinning Babies® method.

What is Spinning Babies?

Spinning Babies® is a childbirth approach developed by Gail Tully. It focuses on the idea that the baby is an active participant in the birth process. By encouraging optimal fetal positioning, Spinning Babies helps reduce common labor challenges.

Why Baby’s Position Matters

When your baby is in the best position for birth, labor is often:

• Shorter

• More comfortable

• Less likely to require medical interventions

• Less likely to result in a cesarean birth

  
  

If the baby is not in an ideal position, labor can take longer, feel more intense, and involve complications. That’s where Spinning Babies comes in. It gives your baby more space to navigate the pelvis. It involves a series of gentle, strategic movements and positions designed to, balance the mother's pelvis and soft tissues, encourage the baby to move into the most favorable birth position.

3 Spinning Babies Techniques to Try

While working with a trained doula is ideal, here are three simple techniques you can explore:

1. Forward-Leaning Inversion

   • Uses gravity to create more space in the pelvis.

   • Helps reposition the baby if they’re not aligned for an easy descent.

2. Side-Lying Release

   • A gentle stretch that balances pelvic muscles and ligaments.

   • Promotes relaxation and encourages the baby to shift into a better position.

3. Belly Mapping

   • A hands-on way to track your baby’s position.

   • Helps you identify where your baby is in the womb and adjust movements accordingly.

     
     

You can begin using Spinning Babies techniques as early as 20 weeks into pregnancy, though it’s especially helpful between weeks 30-34. You can also use these movements during labor if your baby needs help getting into position.

How Spinning Babies is Similar to the Miles Circuit

Both Spinning Babies® and the Miles Circuit are incredible tools for helping babies find the best position for birth. They share the goal of optimizing the baby’s alignment in the pelvis, which can lead to shorter, smoother labors and fewer interventions. Many of their techniques overlap. For example, the Forward-Leaning Inversion in Spinning Babies is similar to the Open-Knee Chest Position in the Miles Circuit, and the Side-Lying Release mirrors the Rest Position. Both approaches are practical, accessible, and can be done at home during pregnancy or in labor to address issues like slow progress or malpositioning. If you’d like to explore these methods further, I’ve created a YouTube video and blog post that walk you through how each one works and how they can complement your birth plan.

If you're an expectant mother in Philadelphia or curious about Spinning Babies, I'd love to chat, fill out this contact form or email julia@motherbirth.net. A consultation can help you understand how these techniques might support your specific pregnancy and birth goals.