Photos and Descriptions of Various Birth Positions

Photo depicting a pioneer woman birthing in a seated position

I recently found this wonderful blog post about birthing positions:

Sage Beginnings: Positions for Birth

 I particularly like all the photos. I often hear about different birth positions, but it's really nice to have pictures of them all in one place to get a better idea of how it works.

With all four of my hospital births I was in the lithotomy position, but with my home birth I assumed a classic, semi-sitting position without being coached by anyone. I also found it felt right to stretch my body out as I pushed, rather than scrunching up like many doctors and midwives have women do in the hospital. I feel it's important for women to choose their own birthing positions based on what feels best for their body. As long as mom isn't affected by medications and listens to her instincts she will be able to find the best position for her.

Position Change and Movement During Labor

It's important to be active during childbirth. Change positions every 20 minutes, even if it's a small shift from one side to the other. These movements help the baby shift and descend into and through the birth canal, and they can even help give the laboring mother comfort during labor.

I found this great blog post on At Your Cervix (written by a Labor & Delivery Nurse):

Getting in position -- making changes to shake, rattle and roll

"Up. Move. Lean forward. Lie on your far left or right side. Squat. Walk. Dance. Hands and knees. Modified lunges. Sway from side to side."

The author discusses the common issue of back labor, which most often is a result of a posterior or otherwise malpositioned baby. She explains how position changes during labor can help move the baby into a favorable position, make labor less uncomfortable for the mother, shorten the duration of labor, and even avoid a c-section.

"Why so many posterior babies? Simply put - we're a reclining society. We sit back in our recliners, couches, office chairs, dining room chairs, rocking chairs and more. Our babies get into these funky positions from us lying back...This is why it is so very important to get up and move in labor"

She also explains that even with an epidural position changes during labor are possible, and important.

Please read the post.

Here are some more resources for information about positions during labor:

One With Child: Labor Positions

Positions for Labor and Birth

Doing the Labor Dance

How to get baby in the best position for childbirth - no back labor!

Non-pharmacological methods of pain relief for childbirth

I know I can post more than this. If you're interested in more information about positions during labor, please post a comment.

Birth in an Upright Position

I had a "lightbulb" thought recently, as I watched my baby change positions into a squat position as he pooped in his diaper.

That's when it struck me.

An upright position is instinctively better for birth!

We don't lie down on our back to have a bowel movement. Why would we even think to do that? It doesn't make sense. No one told my baby to squat, or had to explain to him that it would be easier and more comfortable for him that way, or help it come out faster. He instinctively knew what to do, and repositioned himself.

If it comes naturally to squat for such a normal bodily function that we do every day, why wouldn't it be just as natural to do so for the much bigger normal bodily function of birthing a baby?

I'm familiar with the concept of birthing in an upright position. I've blogged about it before:

Upright Position Shortens Birth Canal by 1/3

Doctor Oz interviewed midwife Pam England about normal birth on oprah.com radio:

"Lying on the back is convenient for physicians, but 'it's the worst thing for a woman,' Pam says. This position, while common, is more painful for the woman because it collapses the diameter of the pelvis up to an inch, making delivery more difficult. Instead, Pam recommends women stand upright, move around and squat—keeping their hips higher than their knees—until they find the positions that best suit them."

I've also read articles about how an upright birthing position can be optimal for birthing a breech baby.

I birthed 4 babies in the hospital. Each time I was instructed to lie down on my back in the bed, even when I had no medication to numb me or prevent me from being able to stand, sit or squat.

When I later learned about the physiological benefits of pushing in an upright position, I determined that's what I would do. When I told my midwife (at a prenatal visit during my 5th pregnancy) that I wanted to push in a squatting position, she smiled and said "you will birth in whatever position feels right and makes sense to you in that moment".

As it turned out, I pushed my breech baby out while in a semi-upright position in the birthing tub, stretching my body out as I pushed. It felt so right, and no one needed to tell me what to do.

What if hospitals were to stop instructing women to lie down on their backs to push, and instead to assume whatever position felt best? What position would a woman most likely choose?

What do you think?