Upright positions not only put gravity to work for you, they keep the pressure off of your blood vessels, which may improve oxygen flow to your baby and make your contractions more effective. Many women find that being upright – whether kneeling, sitting, squatting, or even standing – is more comfortable than lying down at this point. Again, it's important to listen to your body and change positions whenever the one you're in is no longer working for you. Many of the positions you've used throughout labor will also help you during the pushing stage. If your placenta doesn't come right out after delivery, you can get into this position to encourage a natural third stage of labor. Low blood pressure could make your contractions less effective and cause you to feel weak or dizzy.Ī supported kneel will open your pelvis wider than sitting or lying down, while allowing your body to be completely supported. In this position, your uterus compresses the vena cava (the large vein that returns blood from the legs to the heart), which compromises blood flow. One position you don't ever want to stay in is flat on your back. That way, you'll be freer to move about as the urge strikes you, without having to contend with tubing and an IV pole.) But if your pregnancy has been normal thus far and no labor complications are expected, you can – with your practitioner's approval – hold off on the IV or ask for a saline lock. (At many hospitals, it's routine to start an IV when a woman is admitted in labor. You may choose to be upright at some points and want to recline at others. When labor becomes more active, you can try a variety of positions to help you manage the pain during the increasingly intense contractions. Or, if you're tired, you may want to take a warm bath or lie on your side and try to doze off between contractions. You may want to putter around the house or take a walk outside. In early labor, your contractions probably won't require the same attention that they do later on.
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