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Written by Laurence
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Monday, 22 November 2010 00:00 |
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If you've had a standard hospital birth, you probably did so lying on your back with your feet in stirrups.
It's a fantastic position if you are a member of the medical staff as you can see everything. It's also absolutely vital if you've had an epidural as you won't be able to obtain any other position.
The Different Positions Available
The "on your back and feet up" position is great for doctors and nurses but pretty terrible for everyone else. It obstructs the birth channel, thus making the delivery more difficult for the baby and hence the mother too, who faces an increased risk of tearing and an episiotomy.
Alternatively, other positions such as the: vertical, croutched and walking help the baby be born in a way that is in harmony with the human body. Many women decide to use a large inflatable ball to relax during labour.
As for the baby, the croutched position offers many physiological advantages: the mother's body has evolved to deliver in this position.
It's not easy, however, for a woman that is not physically fit to give birth croutched. Ideally it requires some practice beforehand. There is however a derivative of this position where the woman is sat on a stool. The stool has no front and a hole in the seat, so the baby can be delivered in a sitting position. The baby's father can hold the mother whilst she is in labour and giving birth. What a wonderful experience!
Check out these different birthing positions.
Every woman is capable of choosing the position that she is most comfortable with. She has to have confidence in her body and its capacity to find the position that is most adapted for her.
For more insight into this topic, see these articles:
Come back soon to read these articles:
 | Childbirth Should be More Human! | |
 | A Natural Birth | |
 | Where will you give birth? | |
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 November 2010 08:15 |
