Birthing Positions

You may find you try many different positions during the different stages of labour. Every woman is different and some people find certain positions more comfortable than others; this is a matter of personal preference. You can try out different positions during your pregnancy and you will learn about different positions in antenatal classes; if you have any questions about birthing positions you can talk to your midwife or the person running your antenatal class.

Positions for labour

During the very early stages of labour you may feel very restless and you may toss and turn a lot, trying to get comfortable; try to stay as relaxed as possible during these early phases as the labour will lengthy and you need to conserve your energy for later. If you are in bed when you start going into labour, try to remain there and relax until the contractions get closer together and start to last for longer. If you up and walking around when you go into labour, it can be beneficial to stay standing, as this encourages the cervix to open up due to the weight of the baby pressing down on it; however, you may get tired so make sure you rest for suitable periods of time.

Getting through contractions

Once your contractions start to come more frequently and are getting stronger, you will be advised to breathe through them and push at certain times; at this stage you should try to find the most comfortable position to deal with the pain produced by contractions. Your midwife will help you to move around so that you can find the most comfortable position; it is advisable to stay fairly upright as this will help the labour to progress (many people assume labour can only take place when you are lying flat on your back because this is what is often seen on television and in films, but this is not true). Being upright will help you to manage the pain of contractions; if you need additional support you could lean on a surface or your birthing partner, sit on a chair, kneel or go onto all fours or lean on the bed. Being upright helps to encourage the baby to move with gravity and reduces the pain associated with contractions. You may also find it comforting if your birth partner rubs or massages your back.

If you feel more comfortable being on your back (many women feel embarrassed about being in other positions and this can make them feel uncomfortable) you may find it more comfortable to lie on your side; in this position, the midwife has a good view of what is going on and they can control the delivery of the head very effectively; consequently, the incidence of tearing is lower with this position than the traditional supine (flat on the back) positions.

Pushing

Once the labour has reached the stage when you need to push, it is advisable to be in an upright position; you can kneel up, raise your back using cushions and pillows or go onto all fours. Research has shown that women who give birth in an upright position are less likely to need the additional help of instruments, such as forceps, than those who give birth lying down.

What if I have had an epidural?

If you have had an epidural and it has made you lose sensation below your waist, you will have to stay in bed; try to make sure you are on your side rather than being flat on your back as this will help the labour to progress and you may feel more comfortable in this position; your midwife or birthing partner can help you to feel more comfortable by supporting you with cushions or pillows.

Changing positions

Don’t be afraid to try new positions and move around during the early stage of your labour; it is important to find the best position for you and your midwife will help to make you feel as comfortable as possible. If you need help moving around you can ask your birth partner or the midwife to help you.

What works for some people may not work for others, so don’t feel you have to get into positions you’ve heard about from other people or seen on the television. The best thing to do is to try out different positions during your pregnancy so you know what suits you; your antenatal classes will also help you to practice different positions.

If you start to get tired sitting upright, kneeling or standing you may want to lie on the bed; the best way is to lie on your side and support yourself with cushions and pillows; your midwife can help to make you comfortable and support your back and pelvis.

Helping back pain

If your baby is a posterior position (when the back of the baby’s head is pressed against your spine) you may experience back pain during labour, both during and between your contractions. In order to soothe this pain, you need to release the weight of the baby off your spine so you will need to change position; being on all fours helps to reduce pain and may encourage the baby to move into a more comfortable position; you can support yourself with pillows and make it more comfortable by placing cushions under your hands.

How do I know which position to choose?

This is not something you should worry or be concerned about; most women say they get into the position which their body tells them to. Remember that your midwife will be there to help you get into different positions; don’t be embarrassed to change position if you don’t feel comfortable and don’t feel self conscious about the position your body is in; remember than midwives see women in labour everyday and it takes a lot to shock them.

The best thing to do is to try out different positions during pregnancy, talk to your midwife and discuss positions with friends or relatives who have already had children. Your antenatal classes will also be helpful.