All About Birthing Positions
Childbirth is a beautiful and natural experience, however often it is shown in the same way…ON YOUR BACK! While laboring and giving birth on your back is convenient for monitoring, it is only best if it is comfortable for you. Often we only see images of people giving birth on their backs, but believe it or not there are many other positions that you can try!
Reconsidering back-lying birth
Did you know that back lying during childbirth was highly popularized in 17th-century France by King Louis XIV. The king had 22 children and enjoyed seeing his wives and mistresses give birth lying down because it was easier to see the process take place. Now, back-lying is perhaps the most common position that people labor and give birth in. While this may be the case, many people are not aware of the benefits of changing positions during labor or their rights to birthing in other positions. Some things that you should consider when preparing for childbirth are the potential risks and benefits to different birthing positions. Lying on your back during labor and delivery keeps your pelvis in a narrow position, making less space for the baby to pass through. This may also cause labor to slow down or stall, which increases your chances of interventions as well as tearing and needing an episiotomy during delivery. Additionally, lying on your back for extended lengths of time puts you at an increased risk of your blood vessels being constricted, leading to decreased blood flow to the baby. On the other hand, moving around and changing positions helps to relieve pain and pressure on your tailbone. Upright positions also help the baby get into position and reduce the risk of fetal distress during labor and delivery. Ultimately, gravity is your best friend in labor! Being upright helps the baby drop down easier and more quickly, while lying solely on your back doesn’t allow gravity to help!
Stages of Labor
During early labor, dancing, swaying, and moving can reduce the pressure on your pelvis and help the baby get into position. During this stage contractions may begin getting stronger as you begin to dilate, so moving as much as possible can help you progress. Active labor occurs when you are around 3-10 centimeters and contractions become stronger and closer together. In this stage, upright positions help the baby move down, encourage labor to progress faster, take the pressure off of your back, help your pelvis to open, and reduce need for interventions. Finally, during the pushing and delivery stage, birthing in an upright position opens and tilts your pelvis, making it easier and more comfortable to push and gravity will help the baby come out more smoothly.
Positions
Laboring
- Kneeling, using a chair or birthing ball
- Standing and walking
- Swaying or rocking and holding your support person
- Standing in the shower or sitting or kneeling in a bathtub
- Squatting on a stool, ball or over the toilet
- Sitting and rocking on a chair or edge of the bed
- Sitting backwards on a chair, with arms resting on the chair-back
- Leaning forward over the bed, ball or chair while sitting
- Leaning forward over the bed, ball or chair while standing
- Kneeling on hands and knees to help reduce back pain
- Sitting up in bed with your knees bent or cross-legged
- Side-lying
- Side-lying lunge
- Standing lunge w/ one foot on a chair or stool
- Squatting while your support person holds you up
- Kneeling while hanging on to a tied sheet or bar
Pushing
- Squatting while using a squatting bar
- Sitting on a birthing stool
- Sitting on the toilet
- Kneeling on your hands and knees
- Side-lying w/ top leg bent
Know that there is no rule saying that you have to give birth on your back or even in the bed, but this may be medically necessary. In some cases the medical staff may need to monitor your baby or you may decide to get an epidural, and you will need to be in the bed. Please know that it is okay to labor or deliver on your back if this feels best for you. Talk to your providers about your plan and options! Ultimately, your birth experience is yours, so do what makes you feel comfortable!
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