What Is the Miles Circuit and Why Should You Use It?
As a birth doula, I’ve seen time and time again how powerful simple, intentional body positioning—combined with emotional release and nourishment—can be in moving labor forward.
One of my favorite tools for this is the Miles Circuit.
I want to share a real client experience that beautifully illustrates why the Miles Circuit works, when to use it, and how it can help you move into active labor—especially if baby needs a little help finding a more optimal position.
A Real-Life Birth Story: From Early Labor to Active Labor
I recently supported a first-time mom who had been in early labor for 2.5 days.
She was exhausted.
She hadn’t been eating well.
Sleep had been minimal.
And emotionally, she was ready to be done being pregnant and finally meet her baby.
After 2.5 days of inconsistent contractions, I texted her and asked if I could come over.
Instead of immediately jumping into “do all the things,” I asked her something important:
“Would you like me to come make you a nourishing meal and have a ‘pow wow’?”
(Pow wows are what I lovingly call a heart-to-heart + game plan session.) I wanted to gauge where her and her husband were at before I made assumptions and gave her advice.
She said yes.
Why Rest, Food, and Emotional Release Matter in Labor
When I arrived, we focused on three foundational things first:
Nourishment – her body needed fuel
Emotional release – she needed space to process how long labor had been and how hard it had been thus far
A clear plan – so she could go all in, mentally and physically
She cried.
She shared her fears and frustrations.
She felt heard.
And then something shifted.
Once her body felt supported and her heart felt lighter, she was ready.
Before the Miles Circuit: Setting the Stage
Before starting the Miles Circuit, I recommended a few intentional steps:
Empty her bladder
Tie up any loose ends (shower, comfy clothes, final snacks)
Pump for 20 minutes (a natural way to stimulate oxytocin)
Journal her birth vision—in detail (I teach hypnobirthing and the power of visualization is incredible! Something I teach all my clients)
I asked her to write how she envisioned her birth unfolding:
How and where each phase unfolded.
How she felt.
How her body worked with her baby.
This step is so important. The mind and body are deeply connected in labor.
After the 20 minutes of pumping and journaling, I had her empty her bladder again—and then we started the Miles Circuit.
What Is the Miles Circuit?
The Miles Circuit is a series of maternal positions designed to:
Encourage labor to move from early labor to active labor
Help baby rotate into a more optimal position
Create space in the pelvis for baby to descend
It’s especially helpful if labor feels stalled, intense but unproductive, or very back-heavy.
Why Emptying the Bladder Matters During the Miles Circuit
Before every single position, I asked her to empty her bladder.
A full bladder can:
Take up space in the pelvis
Prevent baby from descending
Contribute to longer, more uncomfortable labors
Keeping the bladder empty creates more room for baby to move and rotate, which is crucial during positioning work like the Miles Circuit.
Running the Miles Circuit (Twice)
We moved through the Miles Circuit two full times and by the end of the second round, something incredible happened.
Her water broke.
And not too long after that, she had officially moved into active labor.
Signs of an OP Baby (Occiput Posterior)
She was showing signs since I had arrived (and even before that) that her baby had likely been OP, or Occiput Posterior.
What does OP mean?
An OP baby is positioned head down, but facing the mother’s abdomen instead of her back. This can lead to:
Long, intense contractions (lasting 2 minutes or longer)
Very little rest between contractions because they’re back to back
Intense pressure in the low back, tailbone, and bum
Back labor—both during and between contractions
This was exactly what she was experiencing.
Why the Miles Circuit Is So Helpful for OP Babies
The beauty of the Miles Circuit is that it doesn’t just help you go into labor—it helps baby find a better position.
Here’s why it works:
Creates balance in the pelvis, allowing baby to rotate
Encourages baby to move out of the back of the pelvis
Uses gravity and movement to guide baby into a more anterior position
Reduces unnecessary tension in the uterus and pelvic muscles
Creates more space for baby to move
For OP babies especially, creating space + movement can make all the difference.
When Should You Use the Miles Circuit?
The Miles Circuit can be helpful if:
You’ve been in early labor for days
Contractions are intense but not progressing as quickly as you’d like
You’re experiencing back labor
Baby hasn’t engaged or descended
You want to encourage labor naturally
It can be used:
At home
With doula support
Before heading to the hospital or birth center
At your birthing location
In early labor and/or active labor
Frequently Asked Questions About the Miles Circuit
Does the Miles Circuit really work to start active labor?
The Miles Circuit can be very effective for encouraging labor to move from early labor into active labor, especially when labor feels stalled or inconsistent. The positions are designed to create balance in the pelvis, reduce tension, and give baby the space needed to descend and rotate. While it doesn’t force labor, many parents notice stronger, more organized contractions after completing one or two rounds—particularly when paired with hydration, nourishment, emotional support, and rest.
Can the Miles Circuit help if my baby is OP (occiput posterior)?
Yes. The Miles Circuit is especially helpful for babies in an occiput posterior (OP) position, where baby is head down but facing the mother’s abdomen. OP positioning can lead to intense back labor and contractions that are long and close together. The Miles Circuit encourages baby to move out of the back of the pelvis and rotate into a more optimal position by using gravity, movement, and maternal positioning to create space and alignment.
When is the best time to use the Miles Circuit during labor?
The Miles Circuit is most commonly used during late pregnancy or early labor when contractions are irregular, unproductive, or when labor has lasted several days without progressing. It can also be helpful before heading to the hospital or birth center if you’re experiencing strong contractions but minimal cervical change. Many doulas recommend completing one full circuit and reassessing, with a second round if energy and circumstances allow.
Final Thoughts from an Orange County Birth Doula
This experience was such a beautiful reminder that birth is not just physical.
When we combine:
Nourishment
Emotional support
Mindset work
Intentional positioning
…the body often responds.
At Anointed Births, this is exactly how we support our clients—holistically, patiently, and intentionally.
If you’re pregnant and looking for:
A birth doula in Orange County
Support navigating long or early labor
Natural tools to help labor progress
Guidance on baby positioning and comfort measures
We would be honored to walk alongside you.
Looking for Support?
Learn more about birth doula services and hypnobirthing education in Orange County through Anointed Births, or reach out to see if we’re a good fit for your birth team!
Anything stated in this blog is not medical advice.
Additional resources
Stay Tuned…
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