Upright Birth: Why it Matters

Abstract

You only have to watch television or film to see how birth is portrayed to women and the position shown to give birth in. You will mostly see women on a bed, reclined in a semi-recumbent position, relaying the message that women this is the optimum position when in labour. However, women and birth partners should be informed of the benefits of staying upright and mobile during labour; it encourages optimal fetal positioning, aids gravity and enables the baby to move through the birth canal more effectively (Gupta et al 2017). Being upright also removes pressure from the sacrum, therefore allowing better blood flow through the vena cava and to the fetus (DiFranco & Curl 2014).