Birth Positions Continued

Common Birthing Positions Continued

Pros
  • More Comfortable
  • Makes good use of gravity
  • Allows you to rest easily
  • Easy to do in hospital beds
  • Good visibility for all present
  • Good for continuous electronic monitoring
Cons
  • Access to perineum can be poor, as well as mobility of coccyx is impaired
  • Places some stress on perineum
Lying On Your Side
Pros
  • Good for oxygen supply to baby
  • Easy resting position
  • Good if you have high blood pressure
  • Useful if mother has epidural
  • Can make contractions more effective
  • Can speed up labor
  • Easier to relax between contractions
  • Partner can assist in delivery
  • Lowers chance of need for episiotomy
  • Access to perineum is excellent
Cons
  • No help from gravity
  • Mother must support her leg under knee if no one is there to hold leg
  • Mother may feel too passive
Squatting
Pros
  • Uses gravity effectively
  • May increase rotation of baby
  • Excellent for access to the perineum
  • Excellent for fetal circulation
  • May increase pelvis diameter by as much as two centimeters
  • Requires less bearing-down effort
  • Thighs keep baby well-aligned
Cons
  • May be more tiring
  • May be hard for mother to assist in delivery
Birth Positions Continued

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