Birthing In An Upright or Vertical Position

One of the things that I needed to learn in order to give birth without pain, is that birthing while lying on your back, or in the supine position, is the worst position to birth in. This position works against gravity, and actually hinders birth and causes the laboring woman pain.

Once I learned that women can birth while sitting, standing, or on all fours I was liberated! From the bed and from pain! My first two births, (which were hospital births,) were conducted in a bed. For the rest of my 5 births I never once lie in a bed. During my first homebirth I went to lie in bed, out of habit I guess, and as soon as I lie down I felt pain so I got out the bed and never got back in!

I left the bed and I came up with a wonderful position for labor. I stacked large throw pillows on the end of the bed. Leaning onto the pillows I swayed my hips back and forth. This was very soothing and I know it helped my son to descend as well as helped me dilate. I could feel how productive this position and movement was.

During that birth I delivered my son in a sitting position. I was on the floor on cloths, leaning back against a recliner chair, and I just leaned to the side a little with my knees bent when it was time for his head to emerge.

During my fourth birth my husband rigged from the ceiling something for me to hold onto and dangle from. I did use this although my son was born while I was down on all fours.

With my fifth birth I was laboring in the tub when I had the sensation that I needed to get out the tub. I went from the tub to standing, leaning over the sink. Our daughter was immediately born into her daddy's hands.

My sixth baby was born while I was on hands and knees. My husband was behind me and caught her with a pillow I believe.

My seventh child was born while I was on all fours in the bathtub.

I recently visited my Latina acquaintance, Enith Hernandez's website. I am so glad that I did! On her site she shared this amazing video that is in Spanish. Because I don't know enough Spanish to translate it all, using Google Translator I have translated most of the text.

The video is entitled, "Humanized Birth: Retrieving the Vertical Position."

"A woman should have her baby in the position she chooses."

"Walking and moving freely makes the baby's head push the cervix to produce more oxytocin."

"Dancing soothes the mama and favors the production of endorphins. Childbirth is less painful."

"The movement and pressure of the baby relax the pelvic floor muscles and facilitates dilitacion, rotation, and descent."

"With movement the contractions are more effective, you can share with your partner, and the waiting time is more pleasant."

"The birth canal, when the baby descends becomes wider, there is less trauma and possibilities of complications."

"The mother is the protagonist, has an active role and can change position and adopt the best position."

"Women throughout history have opted instinctively for the vertical position at the time of delivery."

"The vertical position makes for more effective uterine contractions, avoids using synthetic oxytocin (pitocin). Less risk."

"The vertical position causes the mother to feel more comfortable. It facilitates the encounter with her baby."

"By finding the most comfortable position and physiological delivery occurs naturally, cesareans are avoided."

"A physiological position allows uniform and spontaneous dilation of the perineum, avoiding episiotomy and tears."

"When mothers opt to have their baby on their knees, there is less pressure in large vessels and a better oxygenation to the baby."

"A woman may choose to hold onto a sheet which is done in indigenous communities since time immemorial."

"In conclusion women should choose the position, with liberty and peace, but the question arises:"

"If the vertical position is the most convenient (for mothers), why do they continue lying mothers down during labor and delivery?"