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SugarTown Babies
Information Pages
Positions for Labour and Birth
Contrary the popular imagery of a woman lying down on
a bed to give birth this is not the most optimum position
to do so.
When women are given freedom of movement they
explore naturally positions that research shows assist in
their birth and abilities at coping with the sensations and challenges they face.
There are advantages to staying off the bed and keeping upright during the first stage of labour.
This could mean standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling or walking around and using a range of props, furniture and equipment help you. When compared with labour lying down the research found that staying up and moving about led tothe following
- less need for an epidural or painkilling injection
- a slightly shorter labour.
In later stages and progressed labour the advantages felt by women could include the following.
- you may feel more comfortable and have less pain
- it helps when you need to push and pushing is said to be easier
- there is less chance of having a suction cup (ventouse),forceps or caesarean delivery
- there is less chance of tearing the vagina or the skin between your vagina and anus (perineum)
- babies stand a better chance of breathing straightaway as soon as they are born
- there is more chance of your labour being shorter.
Whilst they found no disadvantages for upright and active birthing positions in the early stages of labour the only disadvantages for progressed labour and certain positions included.
- there is more chance that you could tear the lips around the vagina (labia).
- Women who use a birth chair or stool have been found to lose more blood (but not enough to cause a problem).This doesn’t seem to happen in other upright positions.
The reasons why upright and active birthing position may assist in the aforementioned ways include.
- Being upright emotional empowers when compare to the submissive nature of lying down.
- The ability to act instinctivly can further contribute to self confidance and self reassurance
- The coocyx or tail bone is not restricted by the surface of the bed as it is when lying down enabling more actual space for the baby to pass through
- the effect of gravity helps your baby to move down the birth passage more easily and more quickly
- there is less pressure on the blood vessels that go to your womb – these provide your baby’s oxygen supply
- your baby could be in a better position for passing through your pelvis
- your contractions could work better.This helps the cervix to open up more quickly and can make labour shorter
- when you squat or kneel,your pelvis may open wider and make
more room for the baby to come through.
