Helpful labour and birth positions

These positions may be useful during pregnancy to help move your baby into the right position for labour and during delivery. All positions recommended below for the first and second stages of labour use gravity to assist in delivering your baby.

In the first stage, walking between contractions may assist in reducing duration of labour. Use the positions that give you the greatest comfort and control in the first stage of labour.

Throughout your labour and delivery, it is important to listen to your body and your midwife for position options.

First stage of labour

During the first stages of labour, the cervix (opening of the womb) dilates (widens) from zero (0) to 10 cm.

When you first start to feel contractions, your midwife may suggest the following positions.

A pregnant woman stands with her feet hip width apart and her hands on her hips. Her knees are bent slightly.
       A pregnant woman stands her feet hip width apart and with one foot in front of the other. She has her hands on her hips and her front leg is bent at the knee in a lunging position.
       A pregnant woman leans into a wall in front of her, with her forearms raised to head height to support her
        A pregnant woman stands in front of another woman and leans towards her from the waist. She has her arms around the other woman's shoulders.

Squats

   Lunges   Pelvic rocking   Rocking with a partner

 

 A pregnant woman sits on a fitball facing the side of a a bed. Her folded arms rest on the mattress. Behind the woman sits another person, also on a fitball.    A pregnant woman kneels on a bed on which the bed head has been raised
Train position
   Kneeling over bed

Managing the premature urge to push

When your cervix is 7–8 cm dilated, you may have an overwhelming urge to push.

It is important that you don’t push during this stage. Your midwife can guide you through this stage and you can try the following positions to ease this urge:

A pregnant woman lies on her side on a hospital ed. A pillow is placed between her legs.       A pregnant woman kneels on a bed, supporting herself with her knees and forearms.

Side lying

 Head down, bottom up

Second stage of labour

Once your cervix is 10 cm dilated it is time to push. Your midwife can guide you through this stage and the following positions may be helpful:

A pregnant woman resting on her knees on a bed leans into a beanbag that is supported by the raised head of the bed.
       A fully clothed pregnant woman sits on a bed with her legs wide apart in a supported sitting position for labour. A female health processional stands beside her feet on each side of the bed.
       A pregnant woman lies on her side on a hospital ed. A pillow is placed between her legs.
Supported kneeling
   Supported sitting
   Side lying or elevated seated positions

 

More information

Find out more about physiotherapy during pregnancy, pregnancy care, or return to the Maternity page.


Last Updated: 07/03/2024