[Adapted from The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin. Copyright © 2008, used by permission of The Harvard Common Press.]
Position/Movement |
Unique Contributions |
---|---|
Standing |
|
Walking |
Same as standing, plus:
|
Standing and leaning forward on the partner, the bed, or a birth ball |
Same as standing, plus:
|
Slow-dancing:The mother leans against her partner, resting her head on his or her chest or shoulder. The partner's arms are under the mother's, around her back, with fingers interlocked at her lock back. She can tuck her thumbs into the partner's waistband or belt loops for comfort. They sway, perhaps to music, and breathe in rhythm. |
Same as standing, plus:
|
Standing lunge:Standing beside a chair and facing forward, the mother places one foot on the chair seat, with her raised knee and foot turned out. Bending her raised knee and hip, she "lunges" sideways repeatedly during a contraction (either in the direction that is more comfortable, or to the right for two or three contractions, and then to the left). She holds the stretch for two to five seconds at a time. She should feel the stretch in her inner thighs. Secure the chair, and help her keep her balance. |
|
Kneeling lunge:From starting position a, she bends her raised knee and hip and "lunges" sideways (as in b) repeatedly during a contraction in the direction that is more comfortable, or to the right for 2 or 3 contractions, then to the left for 2 or 3. She holds that stretch for 2 to 5 seconds at a time. She should feel the stretch in her inner thighs. |
Same as standing lunge |
Sitting Upright |
|
Sitting on a toilet or commode |
Same as sitting upright, plus:
|
Semisitting |
Same as sitting upright, plus:
|
Sitting and rocking in a chair or swaying on a birth ball |
Same as sitting upright, plus:
|
Sitting, leaning forward with support |
Same as sitting upright, plus:
|
Hands-and-knees position |
|
Kneeling, leaning forward on a chair seat, the raised head of the bed, a birth ball, or the side of a tub |
Same as hands and knees, plus:
|
Open knee-chest position:The mother gets on hands and knees, then lowers her chest, spreads her elbows, and rests her head on her hands. Make sure her knees are back far enough to raise her buttocks higher than her chest. You can support her by sitting on a chair, your feet about 9 inches apart. She puts her head between your shins, and leans her shoulders against them. |
|
Side-lying or semiprone:In the side-lying position, the mother lies on her side with both knees flexed and a pillow between them (a). In the semiprone position, she straightens her lower leg, rolls slightly toward her front, flexes her top hip and knee, and rests the top knee on one or two pillows (b). During the birthing stage, you can hold the mother's top leg up as she pushes (c). |
|
Squatting:The mother squats on the floor or bed, holding onto your hands (a), a railing, or a squatting bar (b) attached to the bed. Or, if you sit with your feet spread, she may stand between your knees (facing away from you) and lower herself into a squat, with her arms resting on your thighs for support (c). |
|
Lap Squatting:Sit on an armless straight chair. The mother sits on your lap facing you, straddling your thighs. Embrace each other. When a contraction begins, spread your thighs, allowing her buttocks to sag between. Have a support person or doula stand behind you and hold the mother's hands for safety. After the contraction, bring your legs together so the mother is sitting up on your thighs again. |
Same as squatting, plus:
|
Dangle with partner:Hold the mother under her arms as she leans with her back against you during contractions, and bear all her weight. Between contractions, she stands. |
Same as squatting, plus:
|
Dangle:Sit on the edge of a high bed or counter, with each foot supported on a chair and your thighs spread. Standing, the mother backs between your legs and places her flexed arms over your thighs. During contractions she lowers herself. Grip her chest with your thighs as she lowers. You support her full weight. Between contractions, she stands. |
Same as dangle with partner, plus:
|
On back with legs drawn up:The mother lies flat on her back and holds her knees apart and draws them to her shoulders. She lowers her legs between contractions. You can help her get into the position with each contraction. |
|
Here are the key functions of the labor partner:
Important Note: If you are helping her pushing efforts by helping her lift and hold her legs, be careful not to push her legs too far back.
Labor can be emotionally and physically challenging for you as a labor companion, but you are not having contractions and you are not in physical pain. Remember that there may be times when mother hits an emotional low, feeling that she cannot continue. She may be weeping. She may be so tense that she can't relax.
Your head is clearer and you have a better perspective. You can see that her despair is temporary and that she will pass through it. Here are steps you can take to help. You can "take charge."
The doctor or nurse can help you by measuring dilation, suggesting new positions or a medical intervention that might help, and reassuring you and your partner that this is normal.