Ultimate Guide to Labor & Birth Positions
Labor & Birth Positions:
When it comes to positions for labor, my clients often here me say “act like you aren’t in labor- until you can’t deny it anymore!” Live life normally for as long as possible through early labor! If things start to happen at night, then take a warm bath or shower, eat a light snack and drink a glass of water. Then lay down and try to rest, breathing slowly and deeply when the contraction waves come over you. If labor starts during daytime hours, go about work or household duties normally. Eat a good meal, go walk on the beach with your family, enjoy what may be the last day before baby makes his/her arrival! Do these things until you just can’t do them anymore.
Once you can only focus on slow deep breaths, concentrate and relax your muscles, and prepare for the next pressure wave…. That is when you know you are in labor! The time frame looks different for everyone. Some women get down to business within an hour. Others may take a day or so. It is important to rest and hydrate during this early laboring phase. Once you know you are in labor, and even throughout the labor phase, it is best to use these positions. They are tangible ways to help keep you in relaxing resting positions in order to conserve energy for the road of birth ahead. Alternating them after a while can help keep the pelvis loose and aid best positioning for baby’s decent. As well as optimize the pain relief effects positioning changes can have.
Evidence based research shows us that meditation, relaxation and alternative comfort measures, as well as having a Doula present can help you in birth by supporting you to feel comforted safe and at peace. Which causes the body to release the endorphins it needs to manage pain levels and hormones it needs to continue the progression of labor & birth.
The importance of hydro therapy (water therapy) in labor and birth cannot go without mentioning! Research studies are showing great benefits from the use of hydro therapy in labor/birth-relieving pain, hydrating the perennial tissue to lower the risk of tearing at time of crowning. As well as helping to keep the laboring mother relaxed and calm so that the body is able to peacefully give birth. (Go here for details on renting your birth pool today!)
Take a look below. Examine it to see which positions you think would be most comforting to you. Evidence based research shows us that upright positioning uses gravity’s help to open and bring baby down. Which is proven to lessen the length of labor. States the ACOG/SB/EBB/NCBI/APA.
Labor Positions:
LAYING ON YOUR SIDE (WITH PILLOW BETWEEN LEGS):
Benefits: Stabilizes blood pressure, supports rest/relaxation, provider access/opens pelvis slightly more than laying on back
Risks/Cons: Can inhibit fetal position changes that are important for birth/no gravity to bring baby down, can slightly minimize oxygen to baby
Option for use: On bed With/without epidural…With pillow/peanut ball between legs
STANDING (WALKING, LEANING, SWAYING, DANCING)
Benefits: Good oxygenation, pens pelvis inlet, encourages good positioning for baby/gravity speeds labor/eases back pain
Risks/Cons: At times may hinder monitoring/ can be tiring if done too long/not for use with elevated BP/less provider access
Option for use: In shower,Next to bed or back of chair, Partner support in front, In the hall-Without epidural
HANDS & KNEES
Benefits: Repositions an OP baby/reduces back pain/can be good for “big baby”/can relieve low HR in baby
Risks/Cons: Can be tiring if not adequately supported/ provider may feel “upside-down” when it comes to access
Option for use: With/without labor ball, Bathtub/Bed/Partners lap -Without epidural ( unless you still have control of your legs)
SITTING (ROCKING, ROLLING, LEANING)
Benefits: Use of gravity, opens pelvis outlet allows for pelvic circles/rocks/can be relaxing/good for monitoring
Risks/Cons: Can cause swelling of the perineum if done for too long, CAN slightly hinder provider access
Option for use: Bed/toilet/Ball/Chair/Rocker/Tub/shower seat-With/without epidural
Birth Positions: (during FER/active pushing/crowning phase)
LAYING ON YOUR SIDE
Benefits: Less pressure on perineum/allows “tail bone” to flex during decent/Good for high BP/ between push resting
Risks/Cons: More painful in back/inhibits turning position for baby/no gravity assistance to bring baby down
Option for use: Bed-With/without epidural
STANDING (LEANING)
Benefits: Gravity/Low risk of trauma crowning/fetal position/opens inlet & outlet of pelvis
Risks/Cons: Provider has poor control over birth/ can be tiring if pushing in it for long
Option for use: Shower/Next to bed/chair-Without epidural
HANDS & KNEES
Benefits: Low risk of trauma at crowning/ good for fetal position/lessons back pain
Risks/Cons: No eye contact to provider/can be tiring if supported inadequately
Option for use: Bed/Tub-Without epidural (rarely w/epidural if you have control of your legs-only on bed)
SQUATTING
Benefits: Gravity/low-mod risk of trauma crowning/ fetal position/opens outlet of pelvis/top of uterus pressure helps decent
Risks/Cons: Some Pressure on perineum/can be very exhausting if pushing for more than a few minutes
Option for use: Bed/Tub/Shower-Without epidural (rarely w/epi on bed or semi/squat)
SITTING
Benefits: Use of gravity, opens pelvis outlet, supported well
Risks/Cons: Can cause swelling of the perineum if done for too long, Baby can be prevented from decent if OP(Facing Up) by the pubic bone (rare)
Option for use: Bed/birth stool/tub-with/without epidural