Move, Breathe, Birth: The Power of Movement in Childbirth
Birth is more than a physical process—it’s a journey of body, mind, and spirit. One of the most impactful tools you can bring with you into that journey is movement. At Supported Serenity, we believe that movement is medicine. It creates space, reduces discomfort, and helps you feel connected and empowered. And when paired with Spinning Babies® techniques, it becomes a pathway for both you and your baby to find greater ease in the birthing process.
“Sometimes the smallest shifts in position create the biggest openings.”
A Story of Movement in Labor
I remember supporting a mom who had been laboring in bed for several hours. Her contractions were strong, but baby seemed hesitant to move down. Gently, we encouraged her to get on hands and knees and sway her hips in slow circles. Within an hour, her labor shifted—her contractions became more efficient, and baby rotated into a better position. She later told me, “That one change felt like a turning point.”
Stories like this remind us: movement is often the bridge between effort and flow.
Why Movement Matters
Helps baby find their way. Upright, forward-leaning positions make space in the pelvis, giving baby more room to tuck their chin and rotate as they move toward the front of their body in an effort to rotate through the pelvis.
Relieves discomfort. Gentle sways, lunges, or even standing and rocking can ease back pain and hip tension. Sometimes those initial movements can feel overwhelming, but once your body settles into the position you will notice the change as progression of labor continues.
Supports progress. Contractions often become more effective when gravity and movement are working with your body.
Encourages confidence. Movement gives you something active to do. Instead of feeling “stuck,” you’re participating in the process. When you can work alongside your body you will feel trust and the ability to surrender the process.
“When you can work alongside your body you will feel trust and the ability to surrender the process.”
Spinning Babies® Techniques That Bring Balance
Spinning Babies® offers practical ways to use movement before and during birth. A few favorites:
Forward-Leaning Inversion (FLI): Kneeling on a couch or bed and lowering your hands to the floor for 3 deep breaths (before labor) or the length of a contraction (during labor) to release ligaments and make more room for baby.
Side-lying Release: Lying on one side with your top leg supported with a focus on spinal alignment, allowing pelvic muscles to relax and lengthen—beautiful for late pregnancy or early labor.
Pelvic Tilts & Hip Circles: Gentle daily movements that balance the uterus and ease back tension. They are espically helpful in early labor to help baby engage in the pelvic inlet.
Jiggling: A partner uses a scarf or or their hands to soften tight muscles around the pelvis, lower back or upper thighs.
Another Story: Small Steps, Big Shifts
During a birth last summer, a baby was taking time to engage. Mom had been in labor most of the day, walking at Target and taking time for rest. She invited me into her home for support and I could see from the ease of her contrations that baby needed more encouragement to engage. We tried the Side-lying Release on a massage table they happened to have in their apartment. After a few contractions and an easy walk outside, her baby shifted—and she felt an immediate difference. Labor picked up steadily from there. Later, she shared, “That position is what clicked my labor into go time.”
Bringing Movement Into Your Birth
Begin practicing these gentle techniques in the weeks before your due date. A good time to take a Spinning babies Birth Preparation Class is between 20-30 weeks of pregnancy.
Use tools around you: a birth ball, a bed sheet, pillows, or a supportive wall.
Invite your partner into the process—they can steady you, offer counter-pressure, or help you change positions.
Rest when you need to—movement and rest work together beautifully and most of the time you need both in order for labor to progress.
The Heart of It All
Movement isn’t about “doing birth right.” It’s about giving yourself and your baby the gift of space, ease, and flow. With Spinning Babies®, you have simple, safe ways to encourage balance in your body and tools for you and your partner to use when or if you need it.
At Supported Serenity, we see movement as an opportunity to help your labor move through the dance of labor. Use the movement your feel in your body and pair them with intentional movements to bring your baby into the world.
