Birthing Positions

Today, they are now giving the mother-to-be the choice to decide many different things when it comes to labor and delivery, including where you desire to have your baby, the type of professional you wish to assist, and even the position you desire for birthing.

Along with these positions of course, are advantages and disadvantages, you will have to choose after you are educated on the various positions as to which one you would like. The various positions include standing, walking, sitting on the commode, sitting, semi-sitting, lying on your side, and Lithotomy.

The advantages for standing include the use of gravity, the baby receives more oxygen, contractions are not as painful, labor is faster, and helps with the pushing urges. Disadvantages include less control over delivery and it makes it hard for the professional to assist with delivery.

The advantages for walking include the use of gravity, contractions are not as painful, encourages contractions, helps the baby align properly in the pelvis, labor is faster, and backache is lessened. Disadvantages include not appropriate for mothers with high blood pressure and the use of electronic fetal monitoring is not possible.

The advantages for sitting on the commode include aids in relaxing the perineum and the use of gravity. Disadvantages include sitting on the commode can cause pressure pain from the seat itself.

The advantages for sitting include great position for relaxation, the use of gravity, and can use electronic fetal monitoring. Disadvantages include not appropriate for mothers with high blood pressure.

The advantages for semi-sitting include it is very comfortable for the mother, use of gravity, great position for relaxation, can be done in a hospital bed, mother and others can watch the birth, and great access to the fetal heart tones. Disadvantages include inadequate access to the perineum and more stress on the perineum.

The advantages for lying on your side include the baby receives more oxygen, great position for relaxation, good for mothers with high blood pressure, helpful if mother has had an epidural, contractions are not as painful, encourages contractions, great access to perineum. Disadvantages include assistance may have to support leg; access to fetal heart tones is poor and no help from gravity.

There are no real advantages noted with Lithotomy. This position is with mom on her back with legs raised. The disadvantages, however include the major vessels become compressed and no help from gravity.

As you can tell, there are several different birthing positions that you can choose from. The most important thing if for you to be comfortable and relaxed, no matter which position you decide on using.