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Midwifery, Pregnancy & Birth :: Positions for Birth

The Benefits of The Squatting Position vs. The Prone Position During Labor & Birth:

  • Tilts pelvis and uterus forward
  • Increases the strength of contractions
  • Works with gravity for smooth decent of the baby
  • Relieves back pressure
  • Encourages dilation of the cervix
  • Supports abdominal muscles by placing thigh pressure against the abdomen
  • Shortens birth canal depth
  • Relaxes and stretches evenly the pelvic floor muscles
  • Reduces need for episiotomy
  • Decreases need for forcep deliveries
  • Shortens second labor stage
The squatting position
The prone position

 

Did You Know? When a laboring woman squats, her pelvic outlet is 28 percent greater than in the lying-flat position! - from Birthing From Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz

 

"Using gravity and movement, midwives, nurses, and doulas can help mothers settle their babies into an ideal position for easier, shorter and less painful births..." -read more about positioning during pregnancy at the Spinning Babies website.