Labour positions (2024)

FAQs

Labour positions? ›

Walking and standing. Kneeling – you can rest by leaning forward between contractions. Sitting – you can sit astride a chair and lean forward resting on a cushion or pillow, sit on a birthing ball or a beanbag. Use a birthing ball.

Head down, face down

This the most common position for a baby to be born in. With the face down and turned slightly to the side, the smallest part of the baby's head leads the way through the birth canal. It is the easiest way for a baby to be born.

Squatting is a great way to give birth, as it enlarges the pelvic opening and gives gravity an opportunity to help the process. In order to squat during childbirth, keep your knees wide and feet flat and parallel to each other. Use your partner, care team, doula or a birthing bar to support you as you push.

The ideal fetal position for labor is when the fetus is head down, facing your back, with its chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter your pelvis. This is called cephalic or occiput anterior presentation. Most fetuses settle into this position by the 36th week of pregnancy.

Head Down, Facing Down (Cephalic Presentation)

In the cephalic presentation, the baby is head down, chin tucked to chest, facing their mother's back. This position typically allows for the smoothest delivery, as baby's head can easily move down the birth canal and under the pubic bone during childbirth.

To give yourself a rest in the first stage of labor, lie on your side. Keep one or both knees bent. Place a pillow between your knees for comfort. You also might put a pillow under your belly.

Certain upright positions such as squatting position and sitting position, may correlate with perineal trauma and greater blood loss. Lithotomy and supine position should be avoided for the possible increased risk of severe perineal trauma, comparatively longer labor, greater pain, and more fetal heart rate patterns.

Sitting upright — in bed, in your partner's arms or on a birthing ball or stool — can ease the pain of contractions and allow gravity to assist in bringing your baby down into the birth canal.

Side-lying

Lying on your side while giving birth works well, even if you're receiving an epidural. It's also Stiltner's favorite birthing position because it: Allows you to push with your knees closed, which helps open your lower pelvis. Takes pressure off the perineum and causes less tearing.

UPRIGHT POSITIONING

Standing, kneeling, and squatting take advantage of gravity to help the baby move down into the pelvis. In addition, squatting increases the size of the pelvis (Johnson, Johnson, & Gupta, 1991; Simkin & Ancheta, 2011), providing more room for the baby to maneuver and descend.

What is childbirth pain equivalent to? ›

You may also experience a dull backache, feelings of pressure in the abdomen and pelvis, and sensations similar to those of intense menstrual cramping.

The Benefits of Upright Labor Positions

As a result, dilation tends to occur more quickly. "Lying on your side, standing, sitting, walking, rocking—anything that keeps you active can help decrease pain and speed up labor," says Dawley.

If your cervix has opened up to at least 2-3 centimetres dilated and the baby's head is well engaged (low down in your pelvis), your waters will be broken (see below under Artifical Rupture of Membranes). If it is not possible to break your waters a second Propess pessary may be inserted if appropriate.

Stretching the pelvic floor helps your body relax, says Green, who recommends spending up to five minutes a day doing squats once baby is in the head down position. (Don't worry, you don't have to set your stopwatch—you can break up the five minutes into several intervals throughout the day.)

Changing up how you sleep might not induce labor, but it may help your body and your baby get in the right position to make labor a little easier and ready to go. The progression of labor may be impacted by the position of your baby, and sleeping in new positions can help guide their head toward your pelvis.

Side-lying

Lying on your side while giving birth works well, even if you're receiving an epidural. It's also Stiltner's favorite birthing position because it: Allows you to push with your knees closed, which helps open your lower pelvis. Takes pressure off the perineum and causes less tearing.

Push from Your Bottom

Relax your body and focus on pushing out of the lower half of your body—not whether you'll empty your bowels when delivering your baby. Because it's super common (and even indicative that you're pushing correctly), your care team expects it, and it's your job to get that baby out.

The Benefits of Upright Labor Positions

This is because when you're in labor, remaining upright and leaning forward reduces pressure while allowing the baby's head to bear down on your cervix. As a result, dilation tends to occur more quickly.