5 birthing positions: sitting, lying or standing?

Which birthing position is the right one?

Women giving birth today have a wide range of options for organizing their birth. Whether you give birth to your baby at home , in a birth center or in a clinic is up to you. You decide whether the birth takes place as an inpatient or an outpatient, and whether your partner should be presentor not and much more. You can also choose the birth position that is most comfortable for you. You can decide for yourself whether the birth takes place standing, sitting, kneeling or lying down. Once you have found a suitable position for you, you can remain in this position until the end of the birth. However, women often change positions during childbirth. Your midwife and your partner will support you. For example, if labor is taking a long time, changing positions can help set the baby on the right path.

Upright Birth Positions

Upright birthing positions include standing, crouching, kneeling, and seated births. It is important that you get supportive help with these birthing positions. For example, your partner can stand or sit behind you in these poses and support you. So he can also be actively involved in the birth. With an upright birthing position, the birth goes much faster because you can work much better. You can also breathe better and your mobility is hardly restricted. Gravity will also help your unborn child. In an upright birthing position, your pelvis is much more flexible. This makes it easier to turn your baby’s head. In addition, the pelvic outlet widens a little more in these positions, resulting in perineal injuriesoccur less frequently. Don’t worry, your baby won’t flop onto the floor beneath you. Once its head is born, your doctor and midwife will gently hold and support it until it is fully born. There are no disadvantages with upright birth positions. As long as you can support yourself sufficiently and you are given the opportunity to hold on, nothing can happen to you and your baby.

• Squat position : In the squat position, your pelvic outlet is expanded to the maximum. It is also an advantage that your feet have a firm resistance in this position. But your partner has to cooperate well so that you can hold on and support yourself.
• Sitting : The sitting birthing position is not as strenuous as standing and crouching. Therefore, a birthing stool is suitable for you if you have less strength. The position can also be taken in any birthing bed without any problems. Your partner sits behind you again in this position to support you.

Figure: birth positions

Horizontal Birth Positions

Horizontal birth positions are the supine, lateral and half-lateral position as well as the quadruped position.

• Lying down : Most women still have their baby while lying down. Between contractions , you can lie down and rest and relax a little. If you can support your feet and hands properly, you can give birth lying down without any problems.
• Half lateral position: The lateral position is particularly suitable for this. The disadvantage of the horizontal birthing positions is that the gravity of your unborn child cannot be used. The expulsion phase usually lasts longer than in upright birthing positions.
• Four- legged position: In this position, which is also called the knee-elbow position, you can breathe the contractions well. Back pain is also less severe in this position. It is therefore suitable for the opening and expulsion phase.

Your midwife will advise you!

Which birthing position you choose is entirely up to you. Many women also switch between birthing positions during the different stages of labor. Your midwife can certainly give you some helpful tips.