For nine months a mom preps and plans for baby’s arrival. The process of giving birth takes work. But that doesn’t mean a woman shouldn’t find a way to be as comfortable as humanly possible. Active labor, the time in which contractions come on strong, is when things really start to hurt. So as the mother’s body and baby prepare for delivery, there are several labor positions a doctor or midwife may suggest to get the mother to the pushing point more comfortably. Check out some most common positions for giving birth:

Standing Supported Squat

Realigns mother’s pelvis to increase the opening by up to 15 percent. Allows her to be supported by her standing or sitting partner, the wall, or a squat bar, by taking advantage of gravity. It makes contractions feel less painful and more productive. Lengthens her trunk and helps her baby line up with the angle of her pelvis. May increase her urge to push in the second stage of labor. Though, it requires a strong partner.

Semi-Sitting

It’s Comfortable, make good use of gravity, and good resting position. It works well in hospital beds. With this position, it is also easy access to fetal heart tones for health-care provider. But, here, access to her perineum can be poor. The mobility of her coccyx is impaired. Puts some stress on her perineum but less than when lying on her back.

Sitting

This position is good for resting. Good uses gravity. It can be used with continuous electronic fetal monitoring. Though it may not be possible if the mother has high blood pressure.

Sitting on the Toilet

It helps relax perineum. Mother get used to an open-leg position and pelvic pressure. It also uses gravity. But pressure from toilet seat may be uncomfortable.

Squatting

It encourages rapid descent. Good uses of gravity. It may increase the rotation of baby, but allows freedom to shift her weight for comfort, and also allows excellent perineal access to fetal circulation. It increases pelvis diameter by as much as 2 cms and requires less bearing-down effort. Mother’s thighs keep baby well aligned. But it is often tiring and sometimes hard for the health-care provider to hear fetal heart tones.

Side-Lying

It helps get oxygen to the baby and it’s a good resting position. It is helpful if the mother has elevated blood pressure and fine with an epidural. It can make contractions more effective and easier for the mother to relax between contractions during the second stage.

Walking

With this position, contractions are often less painful. Baby is well aligned in the mother’s pelvis. It may speed labor and reduces backache. It is not recommended if you have high blood pressure.

Standing

Here, contractions are more effective and less painful. It helps get oxygen to the baby and helps create a pushing urge. But poor control at birth.

Leaning or Kneeling Forward with Support

It can help shift the baby if needed. The birth ball can be used here and contractions are often less painful and more productive.

There are lots of more positions while giving birth. Though one’s caregiver only can suggest which one is best for her and her baby.