The term childbirth positions (or "maternal birthing position") refers to the various physical postures the pregnant mother may assume during the process of childbirth. They may also be referred to as delivery positions or labor positions.
In addition to the lithotomy position, still commonly used by many obstetricians, positions that are successfully used by midwives and traditional birth-attendants the world over include squatting, standing, kneeling and on all-fours, often in a sequence.
Read more about Childbirth Positions: Lithotomy Position, Squatting Position, All-fours, Side Lying, Other Useful Information
Famous quotes containing the words childbirth and/or positions:
“We in the West do not refrain from childbirth because we are concerned about the population explosion or because we feel we cannot afford children, but because we do not like children.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)
“The season developed and matured. Another year’s installment of flowers, leaves, nightingales, thrushes, finches, and such ephemeral creatures, took up their positions where only a year ago others had stood in their place when these were nothing more than germs and inorganic particles. Rays from the sunrise drew forth the buds and stretched them into long stalks, lifted up sap in noiseless streams, opened petals, and sucked out scents in invisible jets and breathings.”
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)