Finding out you’re pregnant can evoke so many emotions in you and your partner and once the initial shock, excitement or fear has calmed down, it’s time to make some important decisions.

1. Who will care for you during your pregnancy
2. Where and how will you give birth

Not necessarily in that order; if you choose to give birth at home you will see your chosen midwife throughout your pregnancy, in a birthing centre you will generally visit the midwives at your chosen place. If you are going to have your baby in a private hospital you will see your own Obstetrician or Obstetric General Practitioner.  

An important decision to be made about the actual birth itself, is whom you would like there with you as your support person, once you know who this they can help you to work through your other options to come up with a Birth Plan. Having this early on in your pregnancy helps you prepare for your labour in a way that can improve the outcomes for you and your baby.

Where will you give birth?

Factors affecting your choice of birth place include where you live; you may be very limited or have several choices, or your health; some hospitals only accept low-risk pregnancies.

Whether you choose a Home birth, Water Birth, Birth Centre, Private or Public Hospital, you will benefit greatly from being active during your labour.

What is Active Birth?

Active birth is simply a term used to describe when a women is in total control over her movements and actions throughout the labour and birthing process. Gone are the days when women are forced to lay on their backs with feet in stirrups (or they should be anyway).

Different positions to use during labour and the benefits of having an ‘active birth’ are taught in antenatal classes in hospitals throughout the country as we are catching on to the idea that lying down and being a passive ‘patient’ during birth does not allow us to utilise our anatomical structure or the power of gravity.

Allowing a woman to move freely and find different positions enables a sense of power and control. Ultimately ‘pushing’ or giving birth in an upright position, kneeling, standing or squatting means the pelvis is able to open up far more effectively.

Benefits of being active during your birth

• Being able to move freely and being upright helps the baby move his way down the birth canal which makes for a faster, more efficient labour
• More oxygen is able to flow to the placenta which means your baby will receive sufficient oxygen and there is less likely to be fetal distress, resulting in less need for intervention
• More efficient contractions and less pressure on the nerves around the sacrum, both resulting in less pain
• The sacral bones are able to move freely as the ligaments stretch to allow an easier passage for the baby, if you are reclined or lying on your back there is too much pressure on the sacrum for it to move and open effectively
• Being upright means it’s easier to push

Labour Positions

During an active birth you may wish to use the following positions or props. In many cases you will find these in a conventional midwifery ward in any hospital. If this is not the case you may be allowed to take your own

• Fit ball or birth ball – use to move the pelvis around by circling your hips or rocking back and forwards
• You can sit on the ball and lean on a bed or your birth support person if leaning forward is a comfortable position
• You can also use the fit ball to rest your arms or head on if you are kneeling or on all fours
• Sitting on a birth stool or plastic chair, this can be taken into the shower where you may like to use the nozzle on your tummy or back for pain relief
• Try kneeling or being on all fours on the floor, but you will need a soft surface or your knees will get quite sore. Being on all fours is an effective way to slow things down if you feel the urge to push before you are fully dilated because it takes the pressure of the babies head off the cervix. If you have a lot of back pain in labour being forward like this can take the pressure off your back, giving some pain relief.
• Being immersed in water, if you have this available is very calming & relaxing and can greatly reduce pain. You need the water to be deep enough for you to remain upright if this is more comfortable

Pushing Positions

These positions allow your body to open up as nature intended and utilise gravity

• Kneeling or squatting on the floor, if your midwife doesn’t want you this low you can raise the head of the bed or prop yourself up with lots of pillows and lean on this. Being up higher also makes it easier for your support person to massage your back
• Standing, being supported by your birth partner or leaning over a raised bed

For more information here are some useful links:

Maternity Coalition

Midwives in Private Practice