You don’t have to take labor lying down anymore. No, literally!

Gone are the days of having to lie flat on your back the entire time. Despite what you see in films or on TV, lying prone is one of the least effective positions for delivery. The birthing mother gets no natural help from gravity and can suffer unnecessary physical pressure.

There are better ways. Unless you have a high-risk condition that keeps you in bed or prevents you from trying a certain birth position, expectant moms are encouraged to feel comfortable and change positions often.

There’s a reason we call it “labor” — the process of giving birth takes work. So finding ways to ease discomfort, move the baby through the pelvis, and encourage optimal fetal positioning is paramount for a mom-to-be. 

What Is the Best Birth Position?

There is no one right way to give birth. Ultimately, the best position is simply the one that makes the new mom the most comfortable. There are multiple recommended options to choose from, so feel free to mix them up while moving through the laboring process. Talking with your doula or midwife will help you decide which positions are the best for you, but it’s always a good idea to have a few different ones in mind before the time comes.

Standing or Walking

Gravity is your best friend during labor. It allows your pelvis to open and your baby to move down into your birth canal. This is why standing or even walking can be helpful options as labor begins. Once the contractions start coming more rapidly, walking might be too hard, but you can continue to take a standing position at any point during the laboring process. If standing straight is difficult, lean on a wall, your partner, or your doula for support.

Sitting

Whether you sit in bed, on a birthing ball, or in your partner’s arms, this birth position can help with your comfort level while easing the pain of contractions. Like standing, sitting allows gravity to open your pelvis and bring your baby down into the birth canal. Plus, you can choose a sitting position both early and late in labor.

Rocking

Here is yet another birth position designed to encourage your baby to descend properly. The more upright you are, the more that gravity can assist in the process. You can rock in a chair or simply sway back and forth while standing or sitting. If you choose to stand, again, you might want a wall, partner, or doula there for stability and physical support.

Leaning Over or Kneeling

If you are experiencing back labor, leaning forward over a stack of pillows on a bed or kneeling over a birthing ball or chair will encourage the baby to move forward and help take the pressure off your back. This can also feel good in general since moving positions and stretching helps relieve tension in your muscles.

Laying on Your Side

Laying on your side is a great option when you are too tired for standing, squatting, or sitting. It’s better than lying on your back, which can compress major veins in your body and compromise blood flow to your baby. Laying on your side can also be a useful delivery position to help slow down a too-fast birth.

Hands and Knees

Being on all fours is a very underrated birthing position, especially if you are experiencing back labor or you want to give your partner or doula access to your back for a massage and counter-pressure. You can also choose to deliver in this position, as it naturally opens up the pelvis and coaxes the baby down for an easier delivery. Being on your hands and knees can even decrease pressure on the umbilical cord.

Squatting

This birth position tends to be a favorite late in labor or during the delivery itself. Again, gravity is a great tool during labor, and this position makes the most of it. You will most likely be a little wobbly with prolonged squatting, so seek support from your partner or the birthing bar, which is usually attached to the birthing bed.

Will Any of These Birth Positions Make Childbirth Easier?

Whatever positions ease your pain and add to your comfort level will undoubtedly make childbirth easier for you. Discuss these positions and your concerns with your midwife or doula before heading into labor and delivery. You can give all the positions a trial run and come up with a plan, but you won’t know what will bring you the most relief until you are actually in labor. Your body will clue you in as to what is and isn’t working during the process. 

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), an analysis of medical studies shows that upright positions that invoke gravity, such as standing, walking, sitting, and squatting, may shorten the first stage of labor by one hour and 22 minutes. Women who are able to utilize these positions are also less likely to end up having to switch to a cesarean delivery.

Are There Risks Associated with Certain Labor Positions?

Contrary to popular belief, the worst position for labor and delivery is lying flat on your back. As previously mentioned, lying this way with a full-term baby in your uterus puts unnecessary pressure on important blood vessels and can end up compromising blood flow.

If you prefer to be in bed while you are in labor, sitting up or lying on your side can help reduce these risks while keeping your baby safe and keeping you comfortable.

The labor process is different for each individual, so your birthing team will help you monitor risks throughout the process. Sometimes, your doctor or midwife might notice certain positions causing changes to your baby’s heart rate. In that case, they may ask you to switch it up.

Are There Specific Positions for Specific Instances?

You can plan for endless possibilities of what can happen during labor and delivery, but until you’re experiencing it, you never really know how it’s going to go. This is one of the reasons having a doula as part of your team can help ease your mind. Doulas are trained to assess each situation and recommend solutions, including positions.

If You Have Back Labor

Back labor can occur when the baby is in the occiput posterior position, which means the head is down but facing your stomach instead of your back. Back labor can be extremely uncomfortable because it puts pressure on your tailbone; however, it is safe for your baby. Leaning over, kneeling, or getting on all fours are great positions for back labor pain relief. Other options are to have your doula or partner add heat or ice to your lower back, give you a back massage, or use counter-pressure techniques. 

If You Have an Epidural

On average, 71% of women choose to have an epidural during labor. Considering you’ll be numb from the waist down, you won’t be able to walk around, but you can still sit, rock, and lay on your side.

If You Are Being Continuously Monitored

Even if you are being monitored for fetal heart rate and contractions, you should still be able to squat, sit, rock, or lie on your side during labor.

If You Need to Get the Baby to Rotate

Laying on your side and using a peanut ball — an inflatable ball that fits snugly in between a woman’s legs to help with birthing posture — can help open the pelvic outlet and encourage fetal descent and rotation. This position is even more helpful for babies that are in the occiput posterior position.

If You Need to Speed Up or Slow Down Labor

Frequent position changes can improve a prolonged labor speed while also helping decrease pain and facilitate fetal descent into the pelvis. Changing positions about every 20-30 minutes is ideal, but you can gauge your comfort level and need to move at the moment.

If you are having too fast of a birth, lying on your side is the best position for you and your baby. Rotate from side to side to alleviate pressure and help with your comfort as much as possible.

2Me Healthcare

As if labor and delivery aren’t stressful enough, choosing a team to help you through the process of both prenatal and postpartum care can be complex. Let 2Me Healthcare alleviate some of your worries. 

In addition to our top-rated concierge care, we offer multiple packages and services to fit your needs and help keep your mind at ease. We work hand-in-hand with your doula, should you choose to have one, and the rest of your birthing team to help ensure your pregnancy and birth are a success.

Contact us today at 2MeHealthcare.com or at (833) 692-6342 to see how working with a dedicated and passionate hospital provider can make your pregnancy and birth that much better.

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