 |
|
| After
you have completed your reading and browsing simply close this window or
click the button on the bottom of this page and you will return to your
previous page. |
|
| Letting Mother Nature and
Gravity help you may ease labor pain and allow you to cope with it using
your prepared childbirth techniques. |
|
| If you can tolerate movement
and the baby is healthy, you should move as much as possible while you're
in labor. Gravity and movement help nature. If your baby is
healthy and no problems have developed, it may be monitored only intermittantly. |
|
Different positions
may help with the pain
During the First
and Second Stage of Labor.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
LABOR
POSITIONS
| FIRST
STAGE |
ADVANTAGES
AND DISADVANTAGES
|
| STANDING |
Helps work with gravity;
contractions less painful; helps backache; may speed labor; aligns the
baby with the pelvic angle; could become tiring, but less tiring if you
lean forward supported by partner. |
| WALKING |
Same advantages as standing,
plus may encourage descent of the presenting part |
| SITTING |
Works with gravity; may
be able to rest; sitting cross-legged may open pelvic outlet; fetal monitoring
possible; can slow labor after a long period. |
| HANDS
AND KNEES |
Helps relieve back pain;
may rotate posterior baby; tiring for long periods |
KNEES,
CHEST
SUPPORTED |
Same as hands and knees,
but less strain on arms. |
| SEMI-SITTING |
Same as sitting; increases
back pain. |
| LYING
ON SIDE |
Lowers blood pressure;
excellent resting position; contractions may be longer. |
| LYING
ON BACK |
Least effective for progress
of labor; may become hypotensive and the baby may become distressed; may
increase backache; fetal monitoring can be done. |
| SECOND
STAGE |
|
FORTY-FIVE
DEGREE
ANGLE |
Widens pelvic outlet; uses
gravity to some extent; better for backache than lying down; (Legs pulled
up may work well with epidural; back and shoulders elevated) |
| LYING
ON SIDE |
Lowers blood pressure;
eases backache; easier to relax between pushes. |
| HANDS
AND KNEES |
Excellent for rotating
posterior baby; reduces backache. |
| SQUATING |
Uses gravity to help the
baby descend and rotate; partner can support your back and arms; widens
pelvic outlet. |
| LITHOTOMY |
Lying back with legs in
stirrups; good for forceps or vacuum, extensive episiotomy, delivery of
breech. |
| SEMI-LITHOTOMY |
Same as lithotomy, with
head and shoulders elevated |
|
|
|
| LABOR AND DELIVERY
IN WATER |
| Labor
in water may ease contractions and gentle delivery. It is not available
at all facilities. It has been found to be safe for the baby, and
may lower blood pressure in the mother. The usual position is semi-sitting
with your partner behind you, supporting you. |
|
To
Return to the Previous Pregnancy Menu,
Click
the Button and this Window Will Close
OR Visit Other Areas of
this Site by Clicking the Icons
|
|
|
© 1996-99: MJ
Bovo. All rights reserved under US Copyright Law.
|
|
| Excerpts from:
The Family
Pregnancy © 1995: MJ Bovo, The Family Pregnancy, Second Edition,
currently
in production, and Do You Have Any Questions? © 1995:
MJ Bovo, are contained within this page. Reprints are not permitted under
any circumstances. Please see Terms
of Use for full expanation. Violations of the Copyright Code
are taken seriously and appropriate action IS TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATERS. |
