6 Reasons Why Lying On Back Is The Worst Position For Labor

If only giving birth was like in the movies. A woman screaming in pain, a doting husband holding her hand, five minutes of panic and comical relief with a baby being born. Unfortunately giving birth does not happen in 20 minutes, an hour sometimes even two. It happens over the course of several hours, differing from person to person. The worst thing that could happen? Lying on your back, which restricts movement and also works against you during the birthing process.

While lying on your back is a convenient position for the doctor to watch how far along you are during the birthing process, it isn’t a comfortable one for the mother and baby. According to the US National Library of Medicine, the supine position affects the natural course of birth (1).

Here are 7 reasons why not to give birth on your back.

1. You are pushing against the gravity

Lying on your back actually causes you to push against gravity. This happens because your birth canal curves upward in the supine position and makes labor difficult from the initial stages itself.

2. Supine position constricts blood flow

While in the supine position, there is a constriction in the blood vessels. This can cause reduction in blood and oxygen to both mother and baby. This increases the risk of distress in the baby. Also, if the mother is in an upright position, there will be a lack of pressure in her heart which in turn causes the baby to have an increased amount of oxygen supply.

3. Lesser space for the baby

In comparison to giving birth in a squatting position, when the mother lies on her back the baby has less space. This is because the pelvic opening closes by 20-25%.

4. Upright position helps uterus contract better

Sitting in an upright position while in the second stage of labor helps the uterus to contract efficiently. The result of this is a more relaxed ability of the mother to push the baby out.

5. Longer and painful labor

Labor is prolonged if the mother is lying on her back. This means more pain for a longer time. Spontaneous pushing by the mother causes her to follow instinctly the body’s urge to push. As a result of this, she conserves her energy to be used when she really needs to. Research has shown that while birthing upright, the mother experiences less pain and this prevents fluctuations in the baby’s heart rate (2). This also results in shorter labor which helping mothers retain their pelvic floor muscle strength.

6. Risk of birth assisted tools

While lying on their backs, mothers can have a more difficult and strenuous birthing processes. It is during this time that assisted birth tools, such as forceps and vacuum pumps, are used if there isn’t any progress from the baby. This leaves the mother exhausted.

Best positions for labor

So what are the best positions for mothers in labor? Well, there are many, but only the mother knows which is the most comfortable for her and the baby. It has been said that while giving birth in the upright position, many mothers feel more satisfied. Other positions include kneeling on fours, leaning with support in front, squatting and also lying on the side. Many mothers feel tired during labor and so, lying sideways can also help. In any case, mothers to be should try out a variety of positions in advance to know what suits them the most for a comfortable birthing experience.

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