The Hands and Knees Position

What is hands and knees position?

The mother will be on all fours, such as when playing "horse".

What does hands and knees positioning do?

The hands and knees position helps to relieve pressure on the back by using gravity to pull the uterus out of the pelvis.

When should I get on my hands and knees?

The hands and knees position is very useful when the mother is experiencing back labor. Many women find that laboring on hands and knees and doing pelvic rocking helps to turn a posterior baby. Others find that modifying the position to have the head and shoulders on the floor allows gravity to pull the baby toward the top of the uterus, providing some room for the baby to change positions.

Modified hands and knees is also important for times when the bag of waters breaks and you can feel something "hanging" into the vagina. If you can not tell what part of the baby is hanging out, assume it is the umbilical cord and move into the modified hands and knees position. Gravity may help to pull the baby towards the top of the uterus, preventing pressure from constricting the umbilical cord.

Some sample Hands and Knees positions:

If a birth ball is available, let the mother kneel, facing the ball. Have her lean forward putting the weight of her upper body on the ball. She will need to move her body to keep her balance on the ball, which may help the baby move down the pelvis.

Let the mother kneel, facing a rocking chair. Have her lean forward putting the weight of her upper body on the seat of the chair. If it is comfortable, have her gently rock back and forth. Pelvic rocking may help move the baby into the pelvis.

If the baby is a persistent posterior, the mother can push in the hands and knees position.

What would you like next?

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