Postures

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There are many different positions you can use to cope with your contractions and start pushing.

You’ll probably notice this on your own during labor, because staying in the same position for a long time is often quite uncomfortable. Many women will naturally change their positions during labor simply by listening to their bodies’ signals.

In addition, research has shown that if you change positions regularly, you’re better able to cope with the pain. As a result, you’ll need less pain medication. Research also shows that when you’re allowed to choose your own position, labor ultimately lasts shorter (both the dilation phase and the pushing phase), you look back on the process with a more positive feeling afterward, and there’s less need for medical interventions (episiotomies and the use of a vacuum extractor).

When you change positions regularly, you’re actually changing the shape of your pelvic inlet and outlet over and over again. This helps your baby turn and move deeper into the pelvis and has a positive effect on the process.

It is well known that when you stand upright, gravity works in your favor, which has a positive effect.

What positions can you try during labor? (Watch the video to see an accompanying image.)

• Standing, with your hands resting against the wall and, if you like, swaying your hips back and forth
• Leaning back against your partner, who is supporting you
• Leaning forward against your partner, who is supporting you
• Sit on a ball, leaning forward with your arms resting on a pillow placed on a bed or table. Or wrap your arms around the neck of your partner, who is sitting across from you.
• Sitting on a chair, with the backrest between your knees and your upper body resting against the backrest

What positions can you adopt both during dilation and while pushing?

• Standing, with your hands resting on the bed or the edge of the bed
• Get down on your knees, resting your forearms on a pillow on the floor.
• On your knees, with your upper body resting on an exercise ball
• In the side-lying position, where it's often comfortable to have a pillow between your legs. When pushing, you can then pull your top leg toward you.

What positions can you assume while pushing?

• Resting on your hands on the floor, alternating between arching and rounding your back
• Squatting, with support from your partner
• The birthing stool. In this position, your birth partner sits behind you so that you can lean back slightly between contractions. It may be comfortable to place a pillow between you and your birth partner.
• And the commonly known supine position, in which you bring both legs toward you while pushing.

You can also try different birthing positions in the shower. The warmth provides an additional way to relax.

One last option I’d like to mention is giving birth in the tub. In the tub, you can completely relax your body during the breaks between contractions. Because you’re weightless, you can assume different positions with little effort. It’s important that you’re entering the active phase of labor before you get into the tub. The warm water can be so relaxing that it may cause the contractions to subside somewhat. This is especially likely during the latent phase of labor. For a water birth, you’ll need a birthing tub. If you’re interested in this, you can contact our practice to rent a birthing tub.

For all positions, it can be helpful to try them out during your pregnancy so you can get a feel for them. The position that ultimately feels best during labor is different for everyone. Above all, listen to your body’s signals as you give birth!