Monday 20th April 2009 News Index

Lying down in the first stage of labour has been found to give mums a longer childbirth, according to latest research.

Cochrane Researchers suggest that women who move around, sit or stand upright, or kneel during early contractions are more likely to have a shorter labour.

Data was drawn from 21 studies carried out in developed countries since the 1960s, using data from 3,706 women. The researchers found that the first stage of labour was around an hour shorter in those who adopted upright positions compared to those who lay down.

Annemarie Lawrence, lead author said: "In most developing countries, women stand up or walk around as they wish during the early stages of birth with no ill effects.

Annemarie works at the Institute of Women's and Children's Health at the Townsville Hospital in Queensland, Australia.

"This review demonstrates that there is some benefit and no risk to being upright and or mobile during first stage labour."

Last month, researchers from the University of Newcastle reported that a quarter of women in the UK have an epidural, the spinal analgesia which eliminates the pain of contractions, despite the fact that many didn't include it in their birthing plan.

The researchers stress that more information is urgently needed to understand how birthing positions relate to levels of pain, control and satisfaction among birthing women.

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