[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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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 wellbeing
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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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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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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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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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
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Birthing Positions, by Penny Simkin