Labour is a process that works best when your body has space to move and respond naturally. The way you position yourself during labour can make a real difference to how your baby descends, how your contractions feel, and how supported and in control you feel throughout the experience. One of the simplest yet most effective strategies is staying upright and active wherever possible.
Labouring in upright and active positions can help your baby move down more easily while also providing comfort and easing pain.
There are many ways to stay upright: walking, rocking your pelvis, using pillows for support, slow dancing with your partner, sitting and swaying on a birth or peanut ball, kneeling and leaning, or using a birth sling for support.
Focus on moving, working through your contractions, and pushing in the positions that feel most natural and comfortable for you.
Staying upright and active during the first stage of labour is linked with shorter labours and less need for pain relief, while pushing and giving birth in upright positions is associated with lower pain levels and a more satisfying birth experience.
Lying down during childbirth can work against the labouring body. It is great for brief moments of rest and gives the mother a chance to catch her breath, but try not to stay flat for too long.
Trust your body to guide you into the positions that feel right — it can make labour feel more manageable and help things progress more smoothly.
