Labor Positions for Your Birth
At Willow Midwife Center, it’s important to us that you have the freedom to choose to labor wherever you want and however you feel most comfortable.
Trying out different positions may help you feel more comfortable and help you labor more effectively without exhausting yourself.
Since most people aren’t too familiar with the various positions available to them during labor, here are a few different positions to try:
Kneeling with a birthing ball
Kneeling during the initial stages of labor helps take off some of the pressure on your lower back, relieving some of the pain that you might be feeling.
A birthing ball supports you when kneeling while keeping you comfortable since it’s more flexible.
Kneeling can also help align your back and pelvis, allowing them to open and expand more. This helps your labor progress better, decreasing the possibility of needing interventions.
Squatting
Squatting while using a table or chair for support may help some women during the first stage of labor. It opens up your pelvis, giving your baby more room to drop down into the birth canal more smoothly.
It also takes off some pressure from your lower spine which may make you feel better by alleviating pain and discomfort that you may be feeling due to the pressure.
On hands and knees
Getting on all fours may sound weird, but it’s super effective when it comes to making the mother feel more comfortable and opening up the pelvis.
Sometimes, it may also help improve the baby’s oxygen supply, especially if they’re not in an ideal position.
Lying on your side
Lying on your side during the initial stages of labor is a great way to help the baby move more effectively through the birth canal. Some health providers recommend moving side to side after a while so the baby’s movements can be encouraged.
Lying on your side may also make it easier for you to handle contractions.
Remember, there is no right or wrong position to labor in! The end goal is to keep yourself comfortable to improve labor and relieve pain and discomfort. So try a bunch of different options until you find one that works for you! If you need any help, let us know and we’ll assist you with positioning!