Vertical Maternal Positions during Parturition in the Second Stage of Labor: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The comfort level of the laboring mother is greatly affected by her choice of delivery position. The fact that giving birth is often difficult has a profound effect on women’s satisfaction with both the experience itself and the care they get. Different birthing positions are available to a pregnant woman at the time of delivery. Currently, most births occur with the mother resting on her back or sitting up in an almost-seated position. Birthing in an upright posture is less common than lying on one’s side, on one’s back, or on one’s hands and knees. The optimal posture for women to be in during the second stage of labor is not well supported by research. The purpose of this article was to assess the level of knowledge about various birthing positions among pregnant women and to evaluate the benefits and hazards of the most frequently used birthing positions.