Movement during labor is very important for the mother aiming for a natural childbirth. Considered as one of the comfort measures used during labor, movement and position changes can help a mom be more comfortable.
There are many ways to use movement during labor; here are some of them:
- To help speed labor up – particularly helpful if labor is stalled or slow-going
- To bring comfort and pain relief
- Harnessing gravity to encourage the baby to move down thus saving mom’s energy
- To encourage the mother that labor will not go on forever
- Changes the mood and environment
Don’t Just Lay There!
Lying down during childbirth can work against the laboring body. It is great for brief moments of rest and gives the mother a chance to catch her breath. But don’t stay flat for very long!
Upright Positions for Labor
Upright positions such as slow dancing, leaning onto a wall or chest-height piece of furniture can be helpful at just about any time during labor. Standing positions seems to encourage the descent of baby by using gravity and can speed up labor if mom has been lying down.
Walking encourages movement within the pelvis and helps contractions to be more productive in moving baby.
A gentle slow dance can do wonders for back discomfort during labor and can a comforting position for the woman. She should encircle her arms around her partner’s neck while the partner holds her firmly at her waist or low back. The pressure from the partner’s hands will help relieve back ache and this is a very nurturing and gentle position to assume for the couple.
The mother can also dance solo during labor using movements from prenatal belly dance classes or other forms of dance that encourage pelvic movement. This can be a beautiful way for the mother to express her love as she sways and rocks her baby into the world.
Squatting Positions for Childbirth
Don’t use this position until the birthing stage of pregnancy as it widens the lower portion of the pelvis but shrinks the upper portion. If baby is not low enough in the pelvis it will actually prevent his descent.
The mother can employ a squatting bar attached to a hospital bed, can hold her partner’s hands or be supported from behind with the partner’s hands under her arms. Practice a few squatting positions in advance to get a feel for them before labor starts.
A seated partner-supported squat can be set up using a chair – the partner sits on the counter or high bed with feet supported by chairs. The mother will stand between his legs resting her arms on the partner’s thighs and his arms reach around her torso to steady and support her. At the start of a contraction the mother will lower herself into a squat, still holding onto her partner’s thighs. The birth doula can also help in this position by assisting the mother as she lowers herself into a squat.
Seated Positions During Labor
There are many ways to find comfort in a seated position that employs gravity but also gives the mother a chance to rest. Here are some examples:
- A rocking chair – using a rocking chair the mother can sit and rock through contractions creating her own rhythm.
- A birth ball – sitting on an exercise ball is comforting for many women – the elasticity of the ball gently supports the pelvic floor and can be used to rock, gently bounce and roll through contractions.
- The toilet – for some women the toilet is a great place to sit during labor, but keep an eye on mom as some babies have been born in this position quite rapidly.
Use Your Intuition for Birth
Babies can be born in a variety of different positions that can be more comfortable for mother and work with gravity than a reclined position.
Ancient birthing ways used the power of gravity to bring a child into the world. It wasn’t until the royalty of England that women gave birth lying on their backs. While this position is highly convenient for the midwife or obstetrician to catch the baby it isn’t always ideal for the mother and baby.
Resources:
- The Birth Partner: Second Edition, by Penny Simkin, 2001 Harvard Common Press
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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