OMP Guide to Labor Progress: Inlet Pelvis

OMP guide to labor progress: inlet pelvis

1. Where is this baby & what is this baby trying to do?

   Inlet Pelvis & Engagement; Descend; Flexion

2. Is there a road block?

   If you suspect that labor is not progressing normally or you suspect malpositioning and/or malpresentation, please proceed to OMP Reversing Protocols. If not, please proceed to the next step of the OMP Guide to Labor Progress.

3. Has the labouring mother used any OMP Pelvic Alignment Protocols to align her pelvis to increase pelvic mobility?

   If no, proceed to 'OMP Pelvic Alignment Protocols'

   She can use the entire sequence of OMP Pelvic Alignment Protocols from 1.1 to 1.6 and it is important to use the protocols in-between and during contractions for at least 3 contractions with each protocol.

   If the mother is not able to do the full sequence of the OMP Pelvic Alignment Protocols from 1.1 to 1.6 and/or if the birth partner or professional is intentional in utilizing a specific OMP Pelvic Alignment Protocol for a specific issue, they can go ‘straight into action’ instead of going through the entire sequence.

   If yes, proceed to step (4)

4. Has the labouring mother used any OMP Active Birth Positions and/or OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocols to CHANGE THE ORIENTATION of the pelvic openings?

   If no, proceed to:

   • OMP Active Birth Positions

   • OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocol: 2.0 Pelvic Transitions

   • Abdominal Lift & Tuck

   If yes, proceed to step (5)

5. Has the labouring mother used any OMP Active Birth Positions and/or OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocols and/orOMP Comfort Measures to MODIFY the pelvic openings?

   If no, proceed to:

   • OMP Active Birth Positions

   • OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocol: 2.1 Pelvic Tilts

   • OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocol: 2.2 Hip Extensions during Labor

   • OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocol: 2.2 Hip Flexion

   • OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocol: 2.3 Asymmetry of the Femur

   • OMP Pelvic Mobility Protocol: 2.4 External Rotation

   • OMP Comfort Measures: 3.1 Bottom of Sacrum

   • OMP Comfort Measures: 3.3 Front of Tubercles

   If yes and labour is still not progressing, repeat steps (2) to (5).

Some would ask what would be the difference when it comes to utilizing techniques when the baby is in greater pelvis versus inlet pelvis - the difference is the (1.) frequency of the contractions; and (2.) the intensity of the contractions.

With every contraction that the mother experiences, both her organs and her baby move upwards during inhalation - taking the pressure off the cervix. When she exhales, both her organs and her baby move downwards - putting pressure on the cervix. So if we were to use techniques such as Abdominal Lift & Tucks and/or Hip Extensions when the contractions are still spaced apart, it will not be as effective as if we were to use it when contractions are closer together, so some techniques are therefore better to use when the baby is in the inlet pelvis as compared to the greater pelvis.

By the time the mother is at (3) onwards, you will find that whilst all these exercises are very comfortable and manageable during pregnancy, its relatively uncomfortable when utilised during labor and birth, so often steps (3), (4) and (5) are not done in a linear fashion, and are inter-exchangeable instead, depending on what the mother is able to do.

It is important to note that when using (3), (4) and (5) during labor and birth, that these have to be done during contractions in order for it to be effective and used for 5-10 consecutive contractions to ensure they are enabling labor to progress.