8-Benefits of Movement During Labor and Tips on How to Do it.

There are many benefits of walking, moving around and changing positions throughout labor

3/8/20232 min read

Show Notes:

Benefits of walking, moving around and changing positions throughout labor:

Helps your uterus work more efficiently.
Allows gravity to help pull baby down and wiggle through the pelvis.
Helps mama feel more confident and in control.
Shortens labor by up to an hour or more.
Reduces the need for an epidural.
Reduces the risk of a cesarean section.

Tips to move during labor:

Labor at home as long as possible. (Listen to episode 4 starting at minute 3:30 to hear me talk about how to know when to go to the hospital.)
Choose a birthplace that encourages movement. (Listen to episode 5 for more information on choosing a care provider and birthplace.)
Plan ahead.

Learn and practice different movements and positions prior to labor. (Check out this article from lamaze.org.)
Plan to have someone with you for continuous support.
Taking a childbirth education class can help you and your support person better prepare and be ready for the birth. (If you don’t have local options, check out my personalized third trimester coaching bundle.)

There are still ways you can move, even if you find yourself confined to a bed.

Ask if you can sit on a ball or in a rocking chair.
Get up and go to the bathroom frequently.
Raise the head of the bed so you are in more of an upright position.
Use peanut balls. (Check out this short video or this longer one to see what I’m talking about.)

I used the following resources as I put this podcast together:

Lamaze International. (2021, April 14). Make Sure Movement is Part of Your Labor. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Make-Sure-Movement-is-Part-of-Your-Labor

Lawrence, A., Lewis, L., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Styles, C. (2013). Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003934.pub4

Movement Restrictions. (n.d.). https://www.lamaze.org/natural-birthing

Terreri, C. (2021, May 18). Walking During Labor: When, Why, and Where? Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Walking-During-Labor-When-Why-and-Where

Infographics from lamaze.org:

6 Simple Steps for a Safe and Healthy Birth

We Like to Move It, Move It!