02/13/2021
Ever thought about how giving birth lying down is kinda...counterproductive? The birth canal curves upwards when you lie down, so you're going against gravity. Birthing on your back can make labor last longer because the body has to work much harder to eject the baby. It constricts blood vessels, meaning baby and mother won't receive the optimum levels of blood & oxygen. It also makes you more prone to tearing, and is typically more painful than birthing in an intuitive position. Your pelvis isn’t given the opportunity to open to its fullest capacity, and makes it harder for babies in non-optimal birthing positions to rotate or switch to better positions - which can lead to a need for medical intervention.
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There are a number of positions to give birth in that are better for both mommy and baby. Unfortunately, hospitals sometimes have a habit of telling birthers that they “can’t” deliver a baby in any position besides on their backs. DON’T LISTEN. Request the squat bar. Adjust the bed to your liking. Switch to a side-lying position. Do what feels COMFORTABLE and - most importantly - follow your body’s lead.
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