CONTRADICTIONS IN BIRTH EDUCATION

The “Don’t Recline” Rule

🚩 Let’s talk about one of the most overstated recommendations in late pregnancy 👇

“Avoid reclining.”

Prolonged reclining for hours or days without variation can limit your pelvic ability to tilt, rotate, and create opportunities for baby to find their best position, same as IN labor. When the pelvis stays fixed too long, it loses mobility and balance. Movement matters. Alignment matters.

‼️ But Here’s the Contradiction

Telling women to avoid any reclining at all is counterintuitive and often counterproductive.

A relaxed mother creates a relaxed uterus.

Babies find their best positions in a body that’s mobile, spacious, and at ease, not one that’s tense or forced forward all the time.

Did you recline at the end of pregnancy? Share in the comments

Who Should avoid the "Don't Recline" Rule:

⚠️ Mothers with:

Pendulous Abdomen

SPD

Induction

Prodromal labor

Failure to progress

For mamas with a pendulous abdomen, being told to “sit up straight” or “lean forward” can actually make engagement harder. Sitting tall on your sitz bones pulls baby over the pubic bone, reducing inlet alignment.

Reclining slightly actually opens space between the upper abdomen and pelvis, encouraging baby to settle naturally.

The Truth About Space

Reclining isn’t the enemy, restriction is:

•Less space between your belly + thighs = less space for baby.

•More space between your belly + thighs = more room for baby to engage.

Reclining is a mild extension that opens space.

Birth wisdom was never meant to be a checklist, it’s about discernment.

Ask yourself:

Does this bring my body peace?

Does this create space?

Does this feel aligned with the wisdom God built into me?

Sometimes… leaning back is the most forward move you can make.