• The best positions for labor and birth

    Date: 2010.07.27 | Category: Birth | Tags: ,,,,

    Who said that you have to give birth flat on your back? Perhaps that is how television portrays birth, and perhaps it is what is most convenient for doctors in hospitals. But the lithotomy position is hardly the most gentle birth position on the mother, as she is pushing against gravity and greatly increases a woman’s chances of tearing. The lithotomy position also impacts the baby naturally, and increases chances of fetal distress and a poor heart rate. What are the best positions for labor and birth, then? The best birthing position is, in the first place, the position in which the mother feels most comfortable. Sitting, standing or squatting positions all have their specific advantages, and giving birth in the water or on all fours positions the pelvic bones to give the baby the maximum amount of space to pass through the birth canal. Let’s have a quick look at positions that can be used during labor, and while you are pushing, and what their benefits are. Most of these laboring positions are suitable for homebirths, birth center births, or hospital births, though hospitals might place some restrictions on laboring mothers.

    Squatting

    Squatting positions can be achieved in various ways. Whether the woman is laboring in a birth tub, or leaning onto the side of her bed or something else, or is relying on the support of a birth partner, squatting during labor can put pressure onto the cervix and encourage labor to progress more quickly. While nobody is comfortable remain in a squat for their whole labor, it is also an excellent position for birth. Birthing in a squatting position minimizes mothers’ risk of tearing and allows the baby to be born easily – pushing optional!

    Hands and knees

    Hands and knees positions of various kinds are excellent for posterior babies, and are known to be able to turn some posterior babies anterior. Because hands and knees laboring positions open up the pelvis as much as possible, they are also great for large babies. Some women also find that hands and knees positions provide some pain relief. During my first birth, my midwife encouraged me to birth in this position, but I found that it was very uncomfortable. It’s all a matter of preference, at the end of the day!

    Standing

    Sure – standing up for your actual birth is possible, and it is the birthing position that is most comfortable for a few. Those who birth standing up obviously need someone to catch their baby, and I think that standing up for birth is best done in a birthing pool. Standing, and walking, is also excellent during labor. It helps the baby moves down, and makes the cervix dilate more quickly. For some women, walking around also makes labor less painful.

    Sitting

    Laboring in a lazy chair or recliner, or while sitting in a birthing pool, is a something that many women find very comfortable. I spent a large portion of both my labors on the toilet, and I have found out that I am not alone in that. During pushing, and for the birth itself, sitting upright with the legs held back is something that is encourages in some birth centers. Birthing stools also provide the possibility of being in a sitting position for birth.

    Lying down

    Some women find that lying down is the most comfortable, especially for portions of a long labor. Flat on your back is obviously not the only option here – lying on your side is gentle on your internal organs, and lessens the chance of umbilical cord problems because of this. Some midwives recommend this position during pushing, because it does not put pressure on the perineum.