Bouncing your way to labour and birth using biomechanics and fetal optimal positioning

Abstract

Background/Aims ‘Labour hopscotch’ is a visual tool that encourages activity during pregnancy and childbirth. It has been used in one advanced midwife practitioner service since 2017 and more widely across in Ireland since 2020. The biomechanics for birth toolkit was added to advanced midwife practitioner care in 2022. This study's aim was to ascertain if the biomechanics for birth toolkit impacted gestation of spontaneous onset of labour rates and birth outcomes. Methods A retrospective study of onset of labour and birth outcomes was conducted for women before (n=155) and after (n=154) the biomechanics for birth toolkit was incorporated into care. Results Before the toolkit was included, there was a 57.2% spontaneous onset of labour rate, with 33.2% birthing before 41 weeks. After the kit's inclusion, there was a 72.2% spontaneous onset of labour, with 91.8% birthing before 41 weeks. Induction rates dropped from 42.8% to 27.8%, with emergency caesarean section rates following induction dropping from 33.1% to 23.8%. Conclusions Using the biomechanics for birth toolkit alongside the labour hopscotch tool could increase spontaneous onset of labour rates, optimise physiological birth, reduce inductions and emergency caesarean section following induction.