Labour Positions
By: abelfischerTotal Views: 188, Word Count: 527,
Usually during labour women lie down on their backs and their legs akimbo for the birth process. But there are many alternate birthing positions in labour that are beneficial for both you and the baby. Changing position during labour helps change the size and shape of the pelvic opening, helps to get your baby into optimum position and facilitates the baby’s movement through the birth canal.
Some of the labour positions are:
- Standing up - Standing upright can be helpful in positioning the baby in the early stage of labour. Walking around or swaying your hips while standing can be helpful. Standing up will increase the dilation of the cervix and will help push down effectively and bear down.
- Sitting - Sitting upright on a chair or on a birthing ball or on a toilet seat will help you push down effectively while providing you some support. A birth ball allows you to rock comfortably that helps in progression of labour.
- Squatting - Squatting is a labour position that helps open up the pelvis and makes pushing through your contractions easier. This position is suitable during the later stages of labour in order for labour to progress more quickly. You can lean down with your back resting against a bed or chair.
- Kneeling - Kneeling position is ideal when you are experiencing very strong contractions allowing for more concentrated pushing with less exposure than the squatting position. You can kneel down on the bed or on a pile of pillows and cushions while taking support of your partner or a birthing ball.
- All fours - Going down on all fours is a good position to take if you are feeling tired and want to slow down the progression of labour. It is also a good position for women who have severe back pain. This is also a good position to deliver the baby’s head as it slows down the movement through the birth canal and also reduces the risk of tearing. You may be asked to take this position at some point during labour as it helps you resist the urge to push during labour.
- Lying down - This is the normal labour position that is used by most pregnant woman. This position good for the opening up of the pelvis and allows your baby to get more oxygen.
During labour it is vital that you adopt a position that makes you feel comfortable, relaxed, in control and supported. It is a good idea to practice these various labour positions with your partner along with the breathing and relaxation techniques and exercises for labour as you progress through your pregnancy. Practicing these exercises and positions will help you automatically take up these positions during the time of labour and delivery. If you are not aware of the various labour positions, speak with your obstetrician and ask him or her to advice on the various labour positions. Maybe you can also take up classes for various labour positions.
About the Author
Abel Fischer is a practicing gynecologist in Dassel, Germany and regularly contributes to women’s health issues and forums.
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