Lamaze Magazine 2008 - (Page 16) Celebration Birth Side-lying Sitting Squatting with partner Cons | Requires a strong partner | May be tiring for both of you SITTING ON TOILET Pros | Helps relax perineum | You get used to an open-leg position and pelvic pressure | Uses gravity Cons | Pressure from toilet seat may be uncomfortable SITTING Pros | Good for resting | Uses gravity | Can be used with continuous electronic fetal monitoring Cons | May not be possible if you have high blood pressure SQUATTING Pros | Encourages rapid descent | Uses gravity May increase rotation of baby Allows freedom to shift your weight for comfort | Allows excellent perineal access | Excellent for fetal circulation | May increase pelvis diameter by as much as 2 centimeters | Requires less bearing-down effort | Descent is encouraged by the position | Your thighs keep baby well aligned Cons | Often tiring | Sometimes hard for health-care provider to hear fetal heart tones | May be hard for you to assist in birth if you wish to do so | | SIDE-LYING Pros | Helps get oxygen to the baby | Good resting position | Helpful if you have elevated blood pressure | Fine with epidural | Can make contractions more effective | Easier for you to relax between contractions during the second stage | Can slow a birth that’s moving too fast | Your partner can assist in the birth by supporting your legs | Lowers chances of tearing or the need for episiotomy | Good access to perineum Cons | May be hard for health-care provider to access fetal heart tones | No help from gravity | If no one can hold your legs, you must support them on your own | You may feel too passive in this position LAMAZE MAGAZINE 2008 16 LAMAZE.ORG http://LAMAZE.ORG
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