PREGNANCY

All too often our image of labour is of a woman in bed. Here are some better ideas from doula and childbirth educator Jennifer Elliott.

Different positions in labour can make you a little more comfortable, encourage your baby to move into a better position for birth and even help your labour to progress. Experiment with different positions, as you move through labour, to find the ones where your body feels and works the best.

Why be upright?

One of your biggest allies is gravity. When you are upright — standing, sitting or kneeling — the weight of your baby presses on the cervix, encouraging it to open. An upright position may also help get your baby into the best position for birth.

The one position a labouring woman should not adopt is lying flat on her back, because the weight of the baby puts pressure on a major artery, restricting blood flow to the baby. Prevent this by putting a small pillow or wedge under one side of your back so you’re lying slightly to the side.

Originally published in Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth, Winter 2006