Modified side-lying release
Anonymous submission, Midwife
Location: Ireland
Challenge: Labour dystocia – possible cesaerean section imminent
Solution: Modified side-lying release, one session, 10 minutes on each side
Place of birth: Delivery Suite
Midwives, Doulas, Antenatal teachers, Physios, Consultants - a place for anyone involved in helping women prepare for birth share their stories about their experience of applying their improved understanding of biomechanics to intrapartum care.
This section of the website is part of our effort to produce anecdotal evidence of how an improved understanding of the biomechanical processes of labour can help women have a better birth experience. If you have birth stories to share, negative or positive, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. We'd also appreciate a thumbnail image to add colour warmth and light to the page (flattery get you everywhere??)
These are the stories reflecting the experience, techniques and training of individual practitioners. they are not a practical guide. Please do not attempt to replicate anything described in them unless it is within your competence and scope of practice.
Jane Wallington
Jane Wallington, Doula at Breeze Birthing
Location: Cambridge, UK
Challenge: Posterior baby at 39 weeks with planned induction for gestational diabetes
Solution: Rebozo sifting, side-lying release and forward leaning inversion
Place of birth: Birth centre
Sophie Messager
Sophie Messager, Doula
Location: Cambridge, UK
Challenge: Uneven contractions and back pain
Solution: Rebozo sifting and shaking the apple tree
Place of birth: Hospital
Laura Muir
Laura Muir, Midwife
Location: Ayrshire
Challenge: Induction of labour, posterior cervix, slow second stage
Solution: Side-lying release and hip squeeze
Place of birth: Midwifery suite
Vanessa de Beer
Vanessa de Beer, Homebirth Midwife
Location: Potchefstroom, South Africa
Challenge: First baby with a deflexed head and total face presentation
Solution: Rebozo, forward leaning inversion and side-lying release
Place of birth: Home
Elly Copp
Elly Copp, Registered Midwife
Location: Somerset , UK
Challenge: Induction of labour, right occiput transverse presentation, delay in second stage at point of taking over care.
Solution: Rebozo – sifting and shaking the apple tree, counter pressure on sitz bones
Place of birth: Labour ward