Position Statement

The pros and cons of 11 common labor positions.

3. SITTING

Pros
Good for resting.
Uses gravity.
Can be used with continuous electronic fetal monitoring.   
 

Cons
May not be possible if you have high blood pressure.

4. SQUATTING

Pros
Encourages rapid descent.
Uses gravity.
May increase rotation of baby.
Allows freedom to shift your weight for comfort.
Allows excellent perineal access.
Excellent for fetal circulation.
May increase pelvis diameter by as much as 2 centimeters.
Requires less bearing-down effort.
Descent is encouraged by the position.
Your thighs keep baby well aligned.  
 

Cons
Often tiring.
Sometimes hard for health-care provider to hear fetal heart tones.
May be hard for you to assist in birth if you wish to do so.