A moving birth experience
Mobility during early stages of labour
Women in labour have many options beyond remaining immobile in a hospital bed. Documented advantages of movement during labour include shorter labours, less severe pain, less intervention, and a more satisfied birthing experience than women who labour in a recumbent position.1
There is clear and important evidence that walking and upright positions in the first stage of labour reduces the duration of labour, the risk of caesarean birth, the need for epidural, and does not seem to be associated with increased intervention or negative effects on mothers' and babies' wellbeing.2"
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 20
Standing and walking both provide a sense of control, and can reduce backache. During difficult contractions, the woman can lean against the wall or her partner. Some women also like to sway in rhythm to their breathing, or stand in a supported squat, which has been shown to realign the pelvis and increase opening by up to 15%.3
Standing and walking both provide a sense of control, and can reduce backache. During difficult contractions, the woman can lean against the wall or her partner. Some women also like to sway in rhythm to their breathing, or stand in a supported squat, which has been show to realign the pelvis and increase opening by up to 15%.3
Some women choose to kneel while leaning on a chair. Kneeling on all fours may offer relief from back pain and can help shift the baby’s position.
Leaning takes advantage of gravity while also supporting the woman’s body. She can lean against a wall, a bed, a partner, or even place one foot on a chair or footstool and lean into a lunge during contractions.
Leaning takes advantage of gravity while also supporting the woman’s body. She can lean against a wall, a bed, a partner, or even place one foot on a chair or footstool and lean into a lunge during contractions.
Squatting encourages foetal descent, allows the woman to shift her weight comfortably, and may increase pelvis diameter by up to 2 centimetres4 , making it easier for the baby to move through the pelvis. Squatting bars or birthing stools can be used to help support the woman’s weight, or the woman can be supported by her partner.
Many women find labouring in water to be relaxing. In addition, it creates buoyancy that can make changing positions easier.
Many women find laboring in water to be relaxing. In addition, it creates buoyancy that can make changing positions easier.
Women with high-risk pregnancies involving multiple births or high BMI are often confined to a bed so their baby can be monitored closely. This can cause pain and may even lengthen labour. However, cableless monitoring technology makes mobile labour possible, even in high-risk situations. View this brief video to learn how caregivers at Burnside Memorial Hospital use monitoring technology to offer mobility even to women with high-risk pregnancies.
Mobility is one of the most important factors in a natural labour, because it allows gravity to assist in engaging the head in the pelvis and it lessens pain.”
Karen Chandler, Consultant Obstetrician
Burnside War Memorial Hospital
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and the Heidelberg Women’s Hospital allow mothers to move freely during labour by using Philips Avalon CL cableless monitoring system. Watch this brief video to learn more.
There is evidence to show that mothers who are able to move around during labour have shorter labour lengths. Moreover, this mobility alleviates the work of the medical staff during birth and the handling of labour pains. Excellent monitoring is now possible without interfering cables.”
Christina Schneider
Senior Midwife, Heidelberg University Hospital
1. Ondeck, M. Healthy birth practice #2: walk, move around, and change positions throughout labor. J Perinat Educ. 2014 Fall;23(4):188-93. doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.23.4.188. 2. Lawrence A1, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Styles C. Maternal positions and mobility during first stage Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 20;(8):CD003934. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003934.pub3. 3. https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/position-statement 4. http://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/position-statement The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the website ("Content") are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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