Listen, when pregnancy reaches 39 weeks and beyond moms start getting a little crazy and pretty desperate to get labor started. For some maybe sooner. But what are some natural ways to induce labor in a safe way? One option is the Miles Circuit. It is a few simple exercises that will help position your baby to get labor going or reengage labor if it has stalled.
Now what late term mama doesn’t want to hear that. It’s honestly simple, and anyone can do it. So lets not waste anymore time, let’s get into it!
- What is the Miles Circuit?
- How can it help you?
- What are some other natural ways to induce labor?
Table of Contents
What is the Miles Circuit?
The Miles circuit was developed by a DONA Certified Doula and Lamaze Certified Child Birth Educator named Sharon Muza based out of Seattle, WA. She named it after her friend who was also a certified doula, named Megan Miles. They had been discussing some ideas about things that worked for their clients to improve their labor both pre-labor and during labor. it was so effective over and over again that she named it and now teaches it in her doula trainings, childbirth classes, and with her clients.
The circuit works as a natural way to get things going or “induce” labor, help to re-engage labor when it has stalled, and help position babies when they are not in the Left occiput anterior position (LOA). LOA is the most common labor position where the baby’s head is down, facing her back, with their back on the mother’s left side. This allows the baby to be in the smallest diameter to fit the pelvis. This allows them to more easily move through the pelvis during delivery.
When is it Recommended?
You can start practicing the Miles Circuit at 37 weeks. It can be hard in the beginning to hold each position for 30 minutes or you may not have the time just yet. So start with just 10 minutes in each position and pay attention to how you feel and how your baby responds. These positions can help you baby begin to get into position and get your body more prepared for labor.
Since this can help to “induce” labor you shouldn’t start using the miles circuit until 37 weeks or more. If you didn’t know about it until you were in labor or just before it’s not too late to reap the benefits.
How to Perform the Miles Circuit?
First off this takes some time and preparation. In total it will take you about 90 minutes so prep ahead of time. Grab several pillows, go to the bathroom and empty your bladder, grab a beverage and a straw, and put on some relaxing music.
Step One: Open-Knee Chest
You will stay in this position for 30 minutes. Start in a cat/cow position then dropping your chest as low as you can to the bed or to the floor keeping your bottom as high as you can in the air. Your knees should be positioned far apart and the angle between the torso/thighs should be wider than 90 degrees. Feel free to adjust yourself to find a comfortable way to get into this position. That means get some pillows and prop it around you, a yoga mat for the floor, or anything else you need to hold this position comfortably for 30 minutes. You should be able to relax in this position.
This position helps allow the baby to scoot out of your pelvis a little bit and gives them the room they need to rotate if needed.
If you need extra support you can use a rebozo under the belly with some gentle tension by a support person from behind to help you maintain the position for a full 30 minutes.
Step two: Exaggerated Left Side Lying
Roll onto your left side, bringing your top leg (right leg) as high as possible and keeping your bottom leg (left leg) straight. Roll forward as much as possible using pillows to support you and your top leg. Sink into the bed and relax for 30 minutes.
If you are in active labor you can switch between left and right sided positions.
Step Three: Moving and Lunges
This last step is much more active. You are going to have to get up and get moving. You are going to again spend about 30 minutes in any of the three suggested active movements.
- Cub Walking: Get outside with one foot on the curb and the other on the street you will walk allowing for the pelvis to open and help the baby move down into the pelvis.
- Side Lunges up the Stairs: Lung or walk up the stairs facing sideways 2 steps at a time. Take it slow so you don’t fall. Hold on to the railing as well to give you additional support. Do not lunge over your knee as that can close the pelvis. We are trying to open the pelvis to allow the baby to get down into position.
- Birthing Ball Hula: Sit upright on the birthing ball and rotate your hips in a circle just like you would if you were hula hooping. You might have to take yourself back to 8 years old to remember how to do this, but you can do it. This is a great option if the other options are too stressful for your body or you don’t feel comfortable doing them.
Check out the video below to understand how to get into these positions properly with visuals.
Can the Miles Circuit Induce Labor?
This is not a guaranteed way to induce labor, but yes it can induce labor. As with a lot of other natural ways to induce labor if your baby and your body aren’t ready for labor it’s probably not going to happen. This can help prepare your body if it is not yet ready or can give your body a push to start labor if your body and baby are ready.
What Does Your Body Need to Start Labor?
Your baby needs to be in position and engaged in the pelvis. That means the baby is dropped down into the pelvis and putting pressure on the cervix. This actually releases hormones that send messages to your brain that start the process. Meaning softening and ripening of the cervix and uterine contractions to dilate the cervix.
The Miles circuit is a natural way to open up your body to allow your baby to get into position and drop into your pelvis, which then allows those natural processes to occur.
What Can the Miles Circuit Not Do?
Although it can be very helpful it is not a magical fix. There are some things the miles circuit cannot do.
What it can do:
- Help position your baby into LOA
- Start Labor when the body is ready or reengage labor in a stalled labor
- Decrease the length of your labor
- Help you rest during contractions
What it cannot do:
- It may not work when trying to flip a breech baby
- Induce labor when the body is not ready for labor
Final Thoughts
Being in control of your labor is a powerful feeling. Sometimes it feels like we are just subject to what is happening, but using the miles circuit can help you feel like you have more control in preparing for labor and during the labor process. These are simple exercises that almost anyone can do. Always speak to your provider if you are a high risk pregnancy or have high blood pressure to ensure that these movements are safe for your particular situation.
Jess is a registered nurse with over 6+ years of critical care experience for patients young and old and is the mother of two small children. After having her own children she felt inspired to provide mothers with real actionable guidance and education to make informed decisions throughout their pregnancy and postpartum experience.
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