Positions for labor and birth

Standing

• Standing takes advantage of gravity during and between contractions.
• It makes contractions feel less painful and be more productive.
• It helps your baby line up with the angle of your pelvis.
• Standing may increase your urge to push in the second stage of labor.

Walking

• Walking has the same advantages as standing.
• The movement causes changes in the pelvic joints, helping your baby move through the birth canal.

Standing and leaning forward on partner, bed, birthing ball

• This position has the same advantages as standing.
• It is a good position for a backrub.
• It may feel more restful than standing.

Slow dancing

• Stand with your arms around your partner's neck or at your side, head resting on their chest or shoulder, with their hands rubbing your lower back.
• Sway to music and breathe in rhythm if it helps.
• It has the same advantages as walking.
• Back pressure helps relieve back pain.
• Rhythm and music help you relax and provide comfort.

The lunge

• Stand facing a straight chair.
• Place one foot on the seat with your knee and foot to the side.
• Bending raised knee and hip, lunge sideways repeatedly during a contraction, holding each lunge for five seconds.
• Have your partner hold the chair and help with balance.
• You'll feel a stretch in your inner thighs.
• This position widens one side of the pelvis (the side toward which you lunge).
• It encourages rotation of baby.
• It can also be done in a kneeling position.

Sitting upright

• This position is good for resting.
• It has more gravity advantage than lying down.

Sitting on toilet or commode

• This position has the same advantages as sitting upright.
• It may help relax the perineum for effective bearing down.

Rocking in a chair

• This position has the same advantages as sitting upright.
• Rhythmic rocking movements can be relaxing.

Sitting, leaning forward with support

• This position has the same advantages as sitting upright.
• It is a good position for back rubs.

Kneeling on all fours

This position:

• helps relieve backache
• assists rotation of baby in posterior position
• allows for pelvic rocking and body movement
• takes pressure off hemorrhoids
• is sometimes preferred as a pushing position by pregnant people with back labor

Kneeling, leaning forward with support on a chair seat, the raised head of the bed, or on a birthing ball

This position:

• has the same advantages as all fours position
• puts less strain on the wrists and hands

Side lying

This position:

• is very good for resting
• is convenient for many kinds of medical interventions
• helps lower elevated blood pressure
• is useful to slow a very rapid second stage
• takes pressure off hemorrhoids
• facilitates relaxation between contractions

Squatting and supported squat

This position:

• may relieve backache
• takes advantage of gravity
• requires less bearing down effort
• widens pelvic outlet
• may help baby turn and move down in a difficult birth
• helps if you do not feel an urge to push
• allows freedom to shift weight for comfort
• offers an advantage when pushing, since upper trunk presses on the top of the uterus

Squatting can also be done in front of a chair, using your partner's legs for support.