Research about Positions during labour

A summary of evidence-based research¹⁷ states that while lying down during labour continues to be routine practice in many maternity units, there is evidence to suggest that this is not a wise policy. Research shows that women who used upright positions during the first stage of labour:

• had more efficient contractions
• had shorter labours
• were less likely to use pethidine or an epidural for pain relief
• were less likely to have their labour accelerated artificially

than women who were lying down.

A review of research assessing the use of different positions during second stage of labour²⁵ showed that women who remained upright or lay on her side to give birth, was:

• more likely to have a shorter second stage
• less likely to have an assisted delivery

A summary of research evidence on the subject of positions in labour and delivery produced by MIDIRS²⁶ notes that women have a preference for being upright in labour, although women often do what they think is expected of them, and media images tend to show women lying down. MIDIRS suggest the following:

• Midwives should encourage women to choose whatever position is most comfortable and to change position as and when they wish.
• Midwives should discourage women from lying on their backs during labour.

[This research summary includes information from the following leaflet produced by MIDIRS:

Informed Choice for Professionals No.5 - Positions in labour and delivery

For details on how to purchase the Informed Choice leaflets go to the Informed Choice website.]

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