- Home
- Advice Hub
- Pregnancy
- Labour & Birth
- Labour And Birthing Positions
Labour and Birthing Positions: Finding Your Movement
Discover how different labour and birthing positions can improve comfort and support the birth process, with clear guidance for mums-to-be.
Every birth journey is unique, and we know that one size most certainly does not fit all. However, we also know that by adopting certain positions during labour and birth, it can go a long way to improving our comfort levels and supporting the birth process. The primary goal of this article is to provide mums to be with simple, easy to understand information on the various labour and birth positions which will support your journey throughout labour and birth.
Why Position Matters in Labour
The positions you adopt during labour and birth can be a game-changer in terms of managing pain and how smoothly the journey goes. Once you have an understanding of how and why different positions can help the baby transition through the birth canal with ease and help you cope with pain, you will be so much better equipped to make informed choices.
Harnessing gravity: Any upright position is brilliant for helping gravity do its work, this could be standing, walking, squatting or kneeling. These positions will help your baby move down into the pelvis and through the birth canal with greater ease. Upright positions can help your cervix dilate and generally enhance the progress of your labour and birth.
Pelvis opening and alignment: By adopting certain positions and movements, we can increase the space in the pelvis, making it far easier for the baby to rotate into the right position and come through. Examples include: sitting, the hands and knees (all fours) position, and squatting.
Supporting comfort and pain management: Being able to move about during labour and birth is fantastic for reducing pressure on both your back and the perineum, and reducing muscle stiffness. This, in turn can be a very effective form of pain relief.
Which positions help during labour?
There is no one perfect position for labour and birth. The best position for birthing is only known by trying out the different positions. This trial-and-error approach will help you to see which one or ones are going to work best for you.
Each position (discussed below) will have distinct advantages for both you and your baby.
Upright positions
Examples of upright positions can include standing, leaning over a bed, leaning against a wall, or walking but really, they are any position that doesn't involve lying on the flat of your back.
These positions involve the use of gravity, which will help with the efficiency of contractions and will help your baby move down into the pelvis and through the birth canal with ease.
Hand and knees / all fours
The hands and knees position is also known as the “all fours” position.
This position can be especially beneficial if you have backache or are experiencing a 'back labour'. ‘Back labour’ is caused when your baby's back is lying on your back, sometimes called Occipital Posterior presentation, ‘sunny side up’ or ‘face to pubes’.
Kneeling on all fours can help with the pressure this places on your spine and encourage your baby to rotate around into the OA presentation, which is a face down presentation and the optimal position for birth. You can place a pillow or cushion under your knees and rest your head and arms on a birthing ball or on the side of a bed or chair to help you feel more comfortable.
Sitting and squatting positions
You can use a birthing ball to sit on whilst gently rocking or swaying. This can be incredibly calming and soothing while also increasing the space for your baby to move down into the pelvis.
Supported squats are excellent for increasing the pelvic opening. To do these, make sure to have something you can lean on to help you balance, this can be a bed, a chair or even your partner.
Side lying positions
The side lying position is a fantastic choice for preserving your energy levels and relaxing, especially between contractions, without slowing things down.
Your midwife or doctor will always recommend lying on your left side, where possible, as this supports optimal blood flow and oxygen supply to your baby.
Tips for using positions effectively
Keep Moving Regularly: Moving little and often, every 30 - 60 minutes, will help reduce discomfort, prevent your joints from becoming stiff and support your baby’s passage through the birth canal. Make sure to take advantage of any props you can, such as chairs, walls, beds, tables, mats and pillows to help with balance, support your weight and to help you be as comfortable as you possibly can.
When to check with professionals
Midwives and doctors are well rehearsed in guiding and supporting women on their birth journeys. There may be times where they suggest adapting your position according to the stage of labour and the requirements of both you and your baby. It's worth noting that while certain medical interventions such as an epidural can limit your choices around movement, there are still options available that can help with increasing the pelvic outlet, such as lying on your side with a peanut ball resting between your legs.
Conclusion
Labour is an ever evolving journey and figuring out how best to navigate it is a very personal experience. There is no ‘perfect’ way to labour. I would encourage you to listen to your body, feel your way around the different positions and stick with the ones that you find work best for you.
FAQs around labour positions
There is no one position that will guarantee your waters breaking. However, adopting any upright position which will increase the pressure of the baby’s head on the cervix can encourage your waters to break.
Lying flat on your back can compress the major blood vessels that transport oxygen and blood to the baby, it is therefore best to avoid doing this and stick with upright or side lying positions.
The really great thing about birthing pools is you have so much choice when it comes to positions, you can kneel, squat, lean against the side of the pool or go on all fours.
When you have an epidural, mobility is greatly limited. The side lying position is possible with an epidural and it is a great choice for encouraging the progress of labour, delivery of optimal oxygen and blood flow to your baby and allowing you to rest.
