Post by SJ

Birthing Position That Makes Your Delivery Easy

Who says you have to deliver with the same birthing position throughout? If you feel uncomfortable, you can change your position to avoid cramps or straining of muscles. The catch is to reduce pain and make way for smooth delivery of the baby.

Let’s take a look at the different birthing positions and their comfort levels.

Standing

This position gives you the advantage of gravity. As the labor initiates, you can walk around a little to help it progress. Thereafter, stand with a support. This position dilates your cervix better and widens the opening of your pelvis. You get powerful contractions without much pain. The muscles of your uterus get ample oxygen and there’s less stress to the baby.

The only pitfall of standing during delivery is that your doctor finds it difficult to see the baby and has less control over the delivery process.

Standing On All Fours (Hands And Knees)

If you feel too tired to deliver by standing, you can try to get down on your hands and knees. It reduces contractions and eases back labor. (This happens when your baby’s head presses against the rear part of your pelvis.) Standing on all fours can avoid the need for episiotomy or laceration. Also, if the baby is large, this upright position is beneficial.

The only mild discomfort arises when the baby comes out. This is because it passes through the mother’s legs.

Kneeling

If you want to stay upright, but cannot stand, you can kneel on a pillow. Place your hands and knees on the bed. The knees should be apart according to comfort. This position eases the pain of contractions as well as backache. It helps when the baby exerts pressure on your spine. Also, it aids in rotation of the baby.

Semi-Sitting

This birthing position uses pillows under your arms, back, and knees. As you get contractions, you should wrap your hands around knees. Bring your knees near your shoulders. This position utilizes gravity effectively. It’s good for hospital beds. Doctors, too, can observe and access the perineum (area between rectum and vagina) easily.

Sitting

Sit with one knee relaxed and the other bent. Lean just a little to the back. Sitting helps your uterus to drop forward. This enhances blood circulation to your contracting muscles and lifts off pressure from your diaphragm. It also relaxes your perineum.

Sitting on the toilet seat might be painful though, as it exerts pressure.

Lying On One Side

This birthing position helps if you’ve high blood pressure, or are tired, or have opted for an epidural. It relaxes your perineum and lifts off pressure on your baby’s main blood supply. Besides this, giving birth while lying on your side hastens labor and makes way for easy contractions.

The pitfall is that it’s difficult to access fetal heart tone.

Squatting

This is perfect when you reach the second stage of labor. Squatting needs support. This position helps to open up your pelvis, turns gravity in your favor, and gives better control to you during delivery. It leads to fast passage of the baby and aids in its rotation. Your pelvis opens up 28% more than that in supine delivery position. Squatting can be tiring though.

Choose a birthing position you find most comfortable and turn your delivery into a pleasant experience.

SJ presents Birthing Position That Makes Your Delivery Easy posted at Pregnancy Info.