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1 Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin
[Adapted from The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin. Copyright
2008, used by permission of The Harvard
Common Press.]
Takes advantage of gravity during and between contractions
Makes contractions shorter and more productive
Helps position the fetus to enter the pelvis
May speed labor if the woman has been laying down
May increase the urge to push in the second stage
Same as standing, plus:
Causes slight changes in the pelvic joints that encourage
rotation and descent
Mother can lean on the partner, the bed, or a birth ball
Same as standing, plus:
Relieves backache
Makes it easy for the partner or doula to give a back rub
May be more restful than standing upright
Can be used with an electronic fetal monitor (the mother must
stand by the bed unless wireless monitors are used)
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2 Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin
The mother leans against her partner, resting her head on his or
her chest or shoulder. The partners arms are under the mothers,
around her back, with fingers interlocked at her lock back. She can
tuck her thumbs into the partners waistband or belt loops for
comfort. They sway, perhaps to music, and breathe in rhythm.
Same as standing, plus:
Causes changes in the pelvic joints that encourage rotation and
descent
Being embraced by a loved one increases the mothers sense of
well-being
Rhythm and music add comfort
Pressure from the partners hands relieves back pain
Standing beside a chair and facing forward, the mother places
one foot on the chair seat, with her raised knee and foot turned
out. Bending her raised knee and hip, she lunges sideways
repeatedly during a contraction (either in the direction that is
more comfortable, or to the right for two or three contractions,
and then to the left). She holds the stretch for two to five
seconds at a time. She should feel the stretch in her inner thighs.
Secure the chair, and help her keep her balance.
Widens the side of the pelvis toward which the lunges
Gives room for the baby to change position, if necessary
May ease backache after trying this for a few contractions
Can also be done in a kneeling position
From starting position a, she bends her raised knee and hip and
lunges sideways (as in b) repeatedly during a contraction in the
direction that is more comfortable, or to the right for 2 or 3
contractions, then to the left for 2 or 3. She holds that stretch
for 2 to 5 seconds at a time. She should feel the stretch in her
inner thighs.
Same as standing lunge
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3 Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin
Gives the mother a rest between contractions
Uses gravity to help the baby descend
Can be used with an electronic fetal monitor
Same as sitting upright, plus:
May help relax the perineum for effective bearing down
Same as sitting upright, plus:
Makes a vaginal exam possible
Easy position to get into on a bed or delivery table
Can be done on a rocking chair or birth ball
Same as sitting upright, plus:
May speed labor
Helps relax the mothers trunk and perineum
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4 Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin
Same as sitting upright, plus:
Relieves backache
Makes it easy for the partner to give a back rub
Helps relieve backache
Assists the rotation of a baby in OP position
Allows for pelvic rocking and other body movements
Takes pressure off hemorrhoids
Can be done on a chair seat, the raised head of the bed, a birth
ball, or the side of a tub
Same as hands and knees, plus:
Puts less strain on wrists and hands
Relieves back pain very effectively when done in a large tub
The mother gets on hands and knees, then lowers her chest,
spreads her elbows, and rests her head on her hands. Make sure her
knees are back far enough to raise her buttocks higher than her
chest. You can support her by sitting on a chair, your feet about 9
inches apart. She puts her head between your shins, and leans her
shoulders against them.
May be helpful in pre or early labor
Uses gravity to move babys head (or buttocks) out of the pelvis,
which may be desirable in early labor if the mother has backache or
the baby is OP. Should be done for 30 to 45 minutes.
May reduce pressure on her cervix, which helps if it is
swollen.
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5 Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin
In the side-lying position, the mother lies on her side with
both knees flexed and a pillow between them (a). In the semiprone
position, she straightens her lower leg, rolls slightly toward her
front, flexes her top hip and knee, and rests the top knee on one
or two pillows (b). During the birthing stage, you can hold the
mothers top leg up as she pushes (c).
Gives the mother some rest
Makes interventions easy to perform
Helps lower elevated blood pressure
Safer than standing or the hands-and-knees position if pain
medications are used
May promote the progress of labor when alternated with
walking
Can slow a very rapid second stage (c)
Takes pressure off hemorrhoids
Allows relaxation between pushing efforts
Shifting between side-lying and semiprone positions, on both
sides, helps change the babys position
Works well with an epidural
The mother squats on the floor or bed, holding onto your hands
(a), a railing, or a squatting bar (b) attached to the bed. Or, if
you sit with your feet spread, she may stand between your knees
(facing away from you) and lower herself into a squat, with her
arms resting on your thighs for support (c).
May relieve backache
Uses gravity to help the baby descend
May aid the babys rotation
Widens the pelvic outlet
Provides the mechanical advantage of the upper trunk pressing on
the uterus
May help bring on the urge to push
Requires less bearing-down effort
Allows freedom to shift weight for comfort
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6 Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin
Sit on an armless straight chair. The mother sits on your lap
facing you, straddling your thighs. Embrace each other. When a
contraction begins, spread your thighs, allowing her buttocks to
sag between. Have a support person or doula stand behind you and
hold the mothers hands for safety. After the contraction, bring
your legs together so the mother is sitting up on your thighs
again.
Same benefits as squatting, plus:
Avoids the strain on the mothers knees and ankles
Allows for more support with less effort for an exhausted
mother
Enhances feelings of well-being, as the mother is held close
Hold the mother under her arms as she leans with her back
against you during contractions, and bear all her weight. Between
contractions, she stands.
Lengthens the mothers trunk, allowing more room for the baby to
maneuver into position.
Enhances pelvic joint mobility
Uses gravity to help the baby descend
Sit on the edge of a high bed or counter, with each foot
supported on a chair and your thighs spread. Standing, the mother
backs between your legs and places her flexed arms over your
thighs. During contractions she lowers herself. Grip her chest with
your thighs as she lowers. You support her full weight. Between
contractions, she stands.
Same as dangle with partner, plus:
Puts much less strain on the partner
The mother lies flat on her back and holds her knees apart and
draws them to her shoulders. She lowers her legs between
contractions.
Should not be used routinely as it is tiring and works against
gravity
May be helpful in prolonged second stage
Rotates pubic bone upward; may help if babys head is not
descending beneath the pubic bone, by moving pubic bone over the
babys head