Squatting. Squatting is a great way to give birth, as it enlarges the pelvic opening and gives gravity an opportunity to help the process. In order to squat during childbirth, keep your knees wide and feet flat and parallel to each other. Use your partner, care team, doula or a birthing bar to support you as you push.
Squatting also requires less effort for bearing down. This is a good one if partners are wanting to get involved. Women can use their partners' shoulders as a way to rest between contractions but also as a grip when bearing down. Cons: Can be very tiring and difficult to sustain without support.
Squatting is beneficial because it tilts the uterus and pelvis forward, placing the baby in proper alignment for delivery. Squatting also encourages and strengthens the intensity of contractions, and can also relieve pressure in the back.
Certain upright positions such as squatting position and sitting position, may correlate with perineal trauma and greater blood loss. Lithotomy and supine position should be avoided for the possible increased risk of severe perineal trauma, comparatively longer labor, greater pain, and more fetal heart rate patterns.
Birthing in the side-lying position has been shown to reduce perineal tearing by allowing the presenting part to descend more slowly (Shorten, Donsante, & Shorten, 2002).
Squatting in the third trimester, especially in the last couple of months, is not recommended. During this phase, the baby descends into the upper pelvis, and strenuous squats may increase the risk of breaking the water (3).
Supported squat
Try to achieve a deep squat with your legs in a “V” position. This position can really help to open up your pelvis, move your baby down, which can also help to dilate your cervix.
Compared to the lithotomy position that is commonly used in hospitals for the second stage of labor, the squat actually opens the birth canal by as much as 30%. In general, we usually encourage our mamas to squat (with no load) daily, a minimum of 25 beautiful squats.
When you are upright, your womb tilts forward during contractions. This means you will have better contractions and less pain. Contractions are stronger and more effective when you are upright. This could mean your labour is shorter.
Perineal protection at the time of birth
A kneeling, or all-fours position, or lying on your side, may be beneficial and reduce the severity of tearing.
Squatting in the third trimester
All you need is your pregnant self and the determination to get your body fit for labour. Squats are really great because they help relieve pain in your lower back and pelvis, helping stretch and strengthen these important muscle groups.
A vaginal birth is usually the safest way for your baby to be born. But even if you're planning a vaginal birth, it's good to find out about giving birth via caesarean. You might need a planned caesarean because of health problems or pregnancy complications like placenta praevia.
Sit like a Queen. Thrones are nice and straight so your pelvis doesn't slouch back. You also sit with your legs lower than your pelvis giving your baby lots of room to be comfortably leaning to the front. Scrub like a pauper.
Squats, asymmetrical movements and low impact cardio can all help induce labor naturally.
One of your biggest allies is gravity. When you are upright—standing, sitting or kneeling—the weight of your baby presses on the cervix, encouraging it to open. An upright position may also help get your baby into the best position for birth.
Getting up and moving around may help speed dilation by increasing blood flow. Walking around the room, doing simple movements in bed or chair, or even changing positions may encourage dilation. This is because the weight of the baby applies pressure to the cervix.
Squats while pregnant continue to be appropriate to the end of pregnancy unless you are at risk for preterm labor. They are awesome for showing you bum muscles some love! Focus on balance, breathing coordination, hip mobility, and endurance.
Its conclusion was that those with epidural anesthesia had a 1.95 times greater risk of perineal tearing than those who did not.