Wednesday 13th of January 2021
Thank you for the information. I have had 3 natural births in the hospital and am choosing to have my 4th in a birthing center. Needless to say, a little different. I feel like it's my first all over. All I have ever known is on my back in the hospital bed until it's time to push. So this gives me the confidence to be more present during my labor. Writing it down on a cheat sheet for my husband in case he needs a refresher during :)
Thursday 21st of January 2021
You're welcome!
Thursday 24th of September 2020
[…] I’ve discovered about decreasing labor pains. Some of it is more obvious information, like changing laboring positions is a great comfort during childbirth. And some of it is less known and obvious. For example, […]
Monday 21st of September 2020
[…] Another benefit of the pain of labor is that it encourages moms to move their bodies and pelvis to find a more comfortable laboring position. […]
Saturday 28th of March 2020
[…] mom to dilate = therefore allowing for a less painful and shorter labor. When a woman instinctually changes birthing positions throughout labor she will likely choose positions that encourage labor progress but that also decrease her […]
Thursday 19th of December 2019
[…] see, birthing positions that take pressure off the sacrum like kneeling, standing, all‐fours, side-lying, and on a […]
Choosing the best birthing positions can 1) encourage baby to rotate and 2) mom to dilate = therefore allowing for a less painful and shorter labor.
Who doesn’t want less pain? Don’t we all want shorter labors? Let’s get started!
The Goals of Labor
The first stage of labor has two main goals.
The most ideal position for a baby to be in is head down, but also facing its mother’s back. This is called occiput anterior.
If a baby is not in this position, labor will sometimes drag out since the work of each contraction is focused on rotating the baby into the best position. (OR baby will come through in the less than ideal position, which can work, but will likely just take a bit longer. Ever heard of a sunny side up baby?)
Once labor has encouraged an optimal fetal rotation, labor will continue to progress. By using birthing positions that encourage an optimal fetal position, less time will be spent on “spinning” the baby and more on dilation and descent.
TIP: For information about things to do during pregnancy to encourage optimal fetal positioning and body balancing you MUST check out Spinning Babies’ Daily Essentials DVD.
5 Popular Birthing Positions for Reduced Pain and Length
When a woman instinctually changes birthing positions throughout labor she will likely choose positions that encourage labor progress but that also decrease her pain. The following are 5 popular birthing positions for reduced pain and length.
NOTE: EveryBODY and every birth are different. Just like you, your birth will be unique! There is no one “right way” to give birth. As I say in my childbirth classes, whatever you have to do to get your baby out – do it! That being said, the following birthing positions, on average, aid for a less painful and shorter birth. However, you may find something else that works better for you. If so, do it! You are awesome and an amazing birth warrior!
Standing, Rocking and Leaning
First on the list of the best birthing positions for a less painful and faster birthing is standing, rocking and leaning.
Sitting and Rocking on a Birthing Ball
Next on the list of the best birthing positions for a less painful and faster birthing is sitting and rocking on a birthing ball.
TIP: A birth ball isn’t anything fancy, it’s just a regular exercise ball you would find at the gym. When buying a birthing ball, please make sure you buy the right size. Your hips need to be higher than your knees. (see photo below)
Hands and Knees or Kneeling
The third position on the list of the best birthing positions for a less painful and faster birthing is hands and knees or kneeling.
Kneeling or the hands and knees is a great position to give birth in especially in the hospital! (To read about Mercy’s birth in the hospital head on over here!)
Sitting on the Toilet
The next birthing position for a less painful and faster birthing is the toilet.
(Thanks, LF for the photos! You were a rockstar!)
Side-Lying
Finally, another one of the most popular birthing positions is the side-lying position.
(Thanks HF for the photo, you were a birthing warrior!)
5 Popular Birthing Positions for Reduced Pain and Length
Choose the most popular birthing positions to encourage dilation and an optimal fetal position therefore allowing for a shorter and less painful labor. Just to recap, these are the top five birthing positions for a natural birth.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Penny Simkin’s popular book The Birth Partner is an excellent read for pregnancy but also to use during labor. There are many illustrations of various birthing positions. I often bring it to my childbirth classes I like it so much! It’s also an excellent book for book for dads wishing to be a very “hands on” birth partner.
Leave me a comment and let me know what birthing positions you preferred and how it was helpful. Thank you!