By Dr Jess Michaels | Osteopath, Birth Doula, IBCLC and Founder of The Birth Sling®

For thousands of years, women across different cultures have used birth ropes, hammocks and other forms of suspended support to move, rest and find comfort during labour. Long before hospital beds became a central feature of modern maternity care, women were giving birth in upright positions, using gravity, movement and the support of those around them.

The Birth Sling® is a modern take on these ancient birthing tools, designed to support women throughout pregnancy, labour and birth.

Created by osteopath, birth doula and mum of two Dr Jess Michaels, The Birth Sling provides a simple, portable way to explore movement, relieve physical pressure and practise upright birth positions, whether you're planning a homebirth or hospital birth.

And one of its greatest benefits? You don't have to wait until labour begins to start using it.

What is The Birth Sling?

The Birth Sling is a supportive fabric sling that allows women to lean, squat, kneel, sway and explore different positions throughout pregnancy and labour.

Inspired by traditional birth ropes and hammocks, it has been reimagined for modern maternity care, with portable attachment options that make it suitable for use at home and in appropriate hospital environments.

Rather than restricting you to one position, The Birth Sling gives you something to hold on to, lean into and use for additional support as you move.

From around 20 weeks of pregnancy, you can begin incorporating it into your prenatal movement routine, exploring positions that feel comfortable in your changing body and becoming familiar with movements you may want to use during labour.

Why use The Birth Sling during pregnancy?

Birth preparation doesn't have to begin when contractions start.

During pregnancy, your posture, centre of gravity and the demands placed on your muscles and joints are constantly changing. As your baby grows, you may notice increasing tension through your lower back, hips and pelvis, or find that movements that once felt easy require a little more support.

The Birth Sling allows you to continue moving while providing additional stability and reducing some of the effort required to hold certain positions.

Maintain pelvic and hip mobility

Explore supported squats, gentle pelvic movements and stretches to maintain comfortable movement through your hips and pelvis as your pregnancy progresses.

Relieve pressure and tension

Supported forward leaning, rocking and swaying may help ease discomfort through your lower back and pelvis while giving your body an opportunity to relax.

Prepare for upright and active labour

Practise kneeling, squatting, forward leaning and asymmetrical positions before labour begins, discovering which movements feel comfortable and how to transition between them.

Regular, comfortable movement throughout pregnancy can also help maintain physical activity and confidence in your ability to move as your body changes.

Can The Birth Sling support optimal fetal positioning?

Your baby's position is influenced by many factors, and no particular exercise or birth tool can guarantee that your baby will settle into an optimal position for birth.

However, maintaining mobility and regularly changing positions during pregnancy allows you to explore a variety of movements rather than spending long periods in one position.

The Birth Sling makes it easier to incorporate supported forward leaning, asymmetrical movements, pelvic mobility exercises and upright positions into your daily routine.

The aim isn't to force your baby into a particular position. It's to support comfortable maternal movement, maintain mobility through your pelvis and give you opportunities to explore different positions as your baby grows.

Although these movements may be comfortable and useful for birth preparation, research has not established that using a birth sling during pregnancy prevents malposition or guarantees optimal fetal positioning.