Alternative Therapies: The Squatting Position During Labor

1
Alternative Therapies The Squatting Position
During Labor

• Alternative Birthing Presentation
• HH382.04, San Francisco State University

2
Introduction to Alternative Birth Options the
Squatting Position

• There is no single position for birth. Labor is
  a dynamic, interactive process . . . and the
  woman may want to assume various positions for
  childbirth, and she should be encouraged and
  assisted in attaining and maintaining the
  position of her choice (Lowdermilk Perry,
  2003).
• Squatting is highly effective in facilitating
  the descent and birth of the fetus. It is
  considered to be the best position for the second
  stage or pushing stage of labor (Lowdermilk
  Perry, 2003).

3
Squatting Position Advantages

• Decreases the amount of time mother pushes during
  labor
• Reduces the necessity for forceps use on infant
• Lessens the use of episiotomy to aid in labor,
  due to relaxing and stretching of the pelvic
  floor muscle
• Shortens the depth of mothers birth canal
• Increases pelvic diameter by 10
• Encourages and strengthens the intensity of
  contractions, while relieving back
  pressure (Weiss, 2003)
• Improves blood circulation of fetus
• Improves health care practitioners access to
  mothers perineum
• May increase pelvis diameter by as much as two
  centimeters
• Uses gravity to assist with birthing
  process (Perez, 2003)

4
Squatting Position Disadvantages

• Use of this position is exhausting to mother
• The health care practitioner monitoring the
  infant may have difficulty hearing fetal heart
  tones
• This position impairs the mothers ability to
  assist in delivery (Perez, 2003)

5
Positioning of the Mother

• Women should assume a modified, supported squat
  until the fetal head is engaged, at which time a
  deep squat can be used (Lowdermilk Perry,
  2003).
• A firm surface is required for this position, and
  the woman will need side support (Lowdermilk
  Perry, 2003).
• If the mother is interested in supporting
  herself, a squat bar can be attached to a
  birthing bed to allow for her to maintain the
  squatting position (Lowdermilk Perry, 2003).

6
Use of the Squatting Position in Combination with
the Birth Ball

• A birth ball can help a woman maintain the
  squatting position (Lowdermilk Perry, 2003).
• The fetus will be aligned with the birth canal,
  and pelvic . . . relaxation will be facilitated
  as she sits on the ball or holds it in front of
  her for support as she squats (Lowdermilk
  Perry, 2003).

7
Other Alternative Positions Tools to Aid During
Birth

• Standing Position This position allows the
  mother to remain upright, increasing the diameter
  of her pelvis by approximately one centimeter due
  to the downward pressure on the mothers pelvic
  region.
• Birthing chair/stools Birthing chairs/stools,
  such as rocking chairs, permit the mother to
  remain in a sitting position during birth, which
  enhances bearing down efforts during
  childbirth.
• Beanbag chairs or floor pillows mold around and
  support the mother in whatever position she
  selects
• Side-lying position This position is an
  effective position for the second stage, with the
  upper part of the womans leg held by the nurse
  or coach or placed on a pillow.
• Hands-and-knees position This position enhances
  placental perfusion, helps rotate the fetus from
  a posterior or back to an anterior or front
  position, and may facilitate the birth of the
  shoulders, especially if the fetus is
  large. (Lowdermilk Perry, 2003)

8
Conclusion

• Alternative birthing practices provide additional
  options to all mothers who are currently pregnant
  or are planning a pregnancy in the future.
• Discovering such options provides each mother
  with the necessary education to consider which
  choices best suits her ideal birth process.
• Therefore, this choice is an individual and
  personal decision.
• Use of the squatting position can be a beneficial
  alternative approach to delivery and is
  especially effective during the second stage of
  labor. (Lowdermilk Perry, 2003)

9
References

• Active Birth Centre (2003). ltAll Imagesgt
  Retrieved December 4, 2003, from
  www.activebirthcentre.com
• Lowdermilk, D. L. Perry, S. E. (2003). Nursing
  Care During Labor and Birth. In K. A. Piotrowski
  (Ed.), Maternity Nursing (pp. 320-372). St.
  Louis, MO Mosby.
• McGrath, K. (2001). Childbirth Expert Is
  squatting a dangerous exercise late in
  pregnancy?. Retrieved November 30, 2003, from
  http//www.lamaze.com/experts/childbirth/qas/0,,25
  7151_282231,00.html
• Mothers Care Doula Services, Inc. (2003).
  Birthing Balls. Retrieved December 4,
  2003, from http//www.mothersdoula.com/birthballs.
  html
• Perez, P. G. (Reviewed 2001). Birthing Positions.
  Retrieved November 30, 2003, from
  http//www.lamaze.com/birth/choices/articles/0,,16
  7805_67431-1,00.html
• Weiss, R. E. (2003). Pregnancy/Birth Squatting
  for birth. Retrieved November 30, 2003, from
  http//pregnancy.about.com/cs/laborbasics/a/squatt
  ing_p.htm