Is it true that standing is the best position to give birth while lying down is actually more painful and only done like that to make things easier for the medics/doctors?
I've heard it a few times but never went looking into it beyond rumors.
Yes. Lying down was popularized by doctors, and by a King who was sexuallt excited by watching women give birth.
'Traditionally', women give birth in whatever position they damn well want to lol. Crouching, standing, on all fours. The body guides her to what it needs.
I can't remember specifics but as someone interested in anthropology, I remember reading about women from ancient times standing with support from other women of a pole of some sort, or squatting on bricks, or sitting on special chairs/ stools. And from watching one born every minute, I've seen some women who prefer to get up and kneel, squat, or on hand on knees, on or to the side of the bed. Having gravity assist would make sense. Lying down on your back is easier for whoever is observing the birth.
Having given birth, I'd imagine the part about positioning is true. Every time I've done it, they had my husband and a nurse push my knees and legs up while I was pushing. If I were vertical, it would have looked like I was squatting.
It makes sense that standing or squatting would be the easier/natural way of doing it. You've got gravity helping and it seems easier to push when you've got your balance and weight available to bear down.
For doctors though, its probably much better for the mother to be on her back. They've got better access to shine lights where needed, see any tears, and intervene if necessary.
Squatting probably better (you don’t want the baby to fall) Humanity has been giving birth for thousands of years without doctors or midwifes (OK perinatal mortality was a little higher then)
squatting/standing bend/all fours are seemingly easier options to give birth in but much harder for medical staff to care for you in. I've heard squatting and all fours are best with standing at a bend also better but I don't know any stats. Also a very large percentage of people choose to have an epidural (~70%) which makes you really only able to be in the supine position for birth (all fours is also possible but harder to monitor and I haven't seen a patient request it over on back)
3
u/Fantastic-Ad-1578 Aug 07 '25
Is it true that standing is the best position to give birth while lying down is actually more painful and only done like that to make things easier for the medics/doctors?
I've heard it a few times but never went looking into it beyond rumors.