We compared these with supine positions such as: dorsal lateral semi-recumbent and lithotomy. We looked at the upright positions such as: sitting (on an obstetric chair or stool) kneeling (either on all fours or kneeling up) and squatting (unaided or using a birth cushion or a squatting bar). It is suggested that women in upright positions give birth more easily because the pelvis is able to expand as the baby moves down gravity may also be helpful and the baby may benefit because the weight of the uterus will not be pressing down on the mother’s major blood vessels which supply oxygen and nutrition to the baby. However, many women report that giving birth on their backs feels painful, uncomfortable and difficult. Giving birth in the supine position may have been adopted to make it more convenient for midwives and obstetricians to assist the labour and birth. This Cochrane review assessed the possible benefits and risks to the mother and baby, by giving birth in upright positions compared with supine positions and also looked at some individual upright positions for benefits and harms. Birth position can be influenced by many different factors including setting, mother's choice, caregiver preference, or medical intervention. Some women give birth on their backs in what are known as ‘supine’ positions - including dorsal (the woman flat on her back), lateral (the woman lying on her side), semi-recumbent (where the woman is angled partly upright) or lithotomy (where the woman’s legs are held up in stirrups). Women often give birth in upright positions like kneeling, standing or squatting.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |