The Importance of Upright Positions In Labour and Birth.

Remember a few weeks ago when I told you all about a wonderful piece of birthing equipment called Comfortable Upright Birth Support - CUB. There are many reasons why I think every hospital should have one of these, why every birthing woman should have access to one.

Throughout history and around the world, women have used both upright and gravity- neutral positions to push their babies out. Objects like posts, rebozos and ropes have been used to gain better leverage, women have also used birth supports or stools.

If you have ever used a birth stool or seen one, you would have noticed that they are either made of wood or rigid plastic – they can be hard and uncomfortable for the mother to use and can’t be used for extended periods of time.

The CUB can be used as a comfortable support not only throughout labour and birth of the baby but can also be used during pregnancy to help encourage baby to adopt an ideal position for birth.

It’s innovative and versatile design means that it can be comfortably used to lean over-supporting an ‘all fours’ position, lean against in a kneeling position, relax and rest against when necessary or to sit on. Most women will instinctively find their own position during labour and birth.

Upright doesn’t mean standing only, and whilst this is a great position to labour and give birth in, it is not the only upright position. Other positions include sitting upright (as shown above), kneeling on all fours or squatting using a Comfortable Upright Birth (CUB) support, being held and supported by your birth partner and lying on your side.

The CUB allows mothers to adopt and maintain positions that are not only the most comfortable but physically the most helpful for them and their baby during labour, making giving birth easier, faster and most importantly, safer!

Comfortable Upright Birth support - CUB, can be used for various pregnacy, labour and birth positions.

Upright positions during birth (sitting, kneeling, squatting, and all fours) have been the topic of much research in recent years, and the results of the research are dramatically in favour, these are the advantages of upright positions:

• Being upright during labour and birth can increase the available space within your pelvis by 28-30% giving more room for baby to be born
• Your contractions are more effective. Some preliminary studies have shown that an upright position in labour is as effective as an Oxytocin (Pitocin) infusion in stimulating contractions
• Your baby is 54% less likely to become distressed during labour and birth if you are in an upright position
• The length of the first stage of labour, between 3-10 centimetres can be significantly less when you remain upright, active and mobile
• Upright positions reduce the duration of the second stage (pushing stage) of labour
• Being upright has been shown to result in a 23% reduction in medically assisted deliveries- more space, less distress and a shorter labour results in fewer necessary interventions
• A 21% reduction in rates of episiotomy (a cut made to the area between your vagina and  anus) in women who give birth in an upright position
• A 29% reduction in emergency caesarean sections
• Mothers have a reduced need for epidural pain relief when they are upright

The positions you use during your labour and the birth can have a huge impact on you, your baby and your labour. With lots of research supporting the benefits of upright positions, you can make your labour shorter, make giving birth easier whilst reducing the risks of complications during the birth.

You can also Find out more about CUB and the benefits via www.cub-support.com or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/CUBsupport

CUB also has section dedicated to evidence, research and information on upright positions, this can be found on the site www.cub-support.com/resources/ which I highly recommend taking a look at and learning more about.

Why You NEED to take a Childbirth Class

Over the past 2 weeks, I have seen and had A LOT of expecting mums ask me “whats the difference between a hospital birth class and other birth classes?” and “why do I need to do a birth class?” So many of us question the need for it and many say “ it will happen how it happens” or “I don’t need to do a class – it’s a waste of money or time” or “I’ll just go with the flow”  or “ my body will know what to do”.

Today we are lucky we have many options to choose from when it comes to birth education, but did you know when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and labour that you have choices and options? Or that there is also a huge difference between a hospital class and an independent class. However Choosing the right birth course can make all the difference between a positive and empowering experience and one that leaves you feeling disappointed at best, traumatised at worst. It's important to think about what you want in your birth in order to pick a course that is right for you.

There is so much time and thought put into planning a pregnancy, planning a nursery and researching prams, bounces, rockers, cots…….but why do we not research and invest time into preparing for labour and birth, why is this not on the to do list?

Birth education IS an investment – why, Its simple! When you take a class, you are investing in yourself, your baby, your labour, your birth and your choices – you are investing in your birth experience.

There was a small study done on independent childbirth education and, the results were startling: a 65% lower epidural rate and a 44% lower c-section rate than women offered a standard hospital birth course. There was also a significant reduction in augmentation of labour (having artificial oxytocin to speed up labour) and a shorter second stage of labour, meaning less time pushing. The study demonstrated how being informed can significantly reduce medical interventions.

Medical interventions are so common today, sadly most women have come to see them as the norm and are often unaware they may not be necessary or best practice or even that they have choices and options.

Hospital birth classes are usually run by midwives who are experienced in hospital birth and the policies and standards which guide how they do their job. Most courses are held over a few days and cover a lot of information about pregnancy, birth and baby care. The birth information focus is generally on when medical interventions will be necessary rather than on what normal birth is and how to cope. They will tend to steer the choices towards what will be easiest for the hospital and not what will necessarily benefit you, your labour and birth.

" Excuse me, I want to invest in my birth experience" 

Many people think that out-of-hospital classes are only geared towards those desiring a natural birth. That they won't discuss or talk about pain medication at all when in reality they do discuss pain medication, as well as ways to decrease the likelihood of other interventions when getting medical pain relief. They also discuss ways to avoid the use of pain medications and choices and options for natural pain relief– Because they understand every woman is different! They also spend time on active involvement in labour and using natural comfort techniques, such as movement and a variety of positions and tools. Partners are also actively involved in classes because partners have a significant role in supporting and providing comfort to their labouring partner.

The stages of labour are taught and also highlight what your hormones are doing and the effects this will have on your body and why. Independent classes encourage the practice of positioning, counter-pressure, massage, the use of compresses, essential oils, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and so much more.

Independent birth classes focus on far more than just how to cope with the discomforts of labour, independent birth classes will not only help you explore your options but also encourage you to find your voice for asserting your choices, and often empower birthing partners to be confident advocators in the decision-making that comes up along the way. birth classes provide expectant parents with the tools needed to be as in control of their birthing process as possible.

A good birth class will help you avoid “going with the flow” which really isn’t an option either, Think about that – who’s “flow” are you going with? Are you going with yours, or your Obstetrician, your partners, the midwife or nurse, the hospital, your mother in laws, sister or mum – the list is endless! An independent birth class with help you put a birth plan together and understand the importance of having one and putting it into action – so you don’t have to go with the flow!

Independent classes provide the birthing mother and partner with enough knowledge, confidence and power to positively approach their birth.

Choosing the right birth class is probably one of the most important choices you can make. What you learn about birth will help determine how your birth unfolds – not knowing your options means you have no options to choose from.

So look into doing a birth class, take the time to invest in education that can make a huge difference to how you give birth, I really believe that EVERY woman should take a birth class, and there are so many benefits to taking a class and it should be on your list of things to do before your baby arrives.