Background

For centuries, there has been controversy around whether being upright (sitting, birthing stools, chairs, squatting) or lying down have advantages for women delivering their babies.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to assess the benefits and risks of the use of different positions during the second stage of labour (i.e. from full dilatation of the cervix).

Search strategy

Relevant trials are identified from the register of trials maintained by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group, and from the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.

Selection criteria

Trials were included which compared various positions assumed by pregnant women during the second stage of labour. Randomised and quasi‐randomised trials with appropriate follow‐up were included.

Data collection and analysis

Trials were independently assessed for inclusion, and data extracted, by the two authors. Disagreements would have been resolved by consensus with an editor. Meta‐analysis of data is performed using the RevMan software.

Main results

Results should be interpreted with caution as the methodological quality of the 18 trials was variable. Use of any upright or lateral position, compared with supine or lithotomy positions, was associated with:

1. Reduced duration of second stage of labour (12 trials ‐ mean 5.4 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9 ‐ 6.9 minutes). This was largely due to a considerable reduction in women allocated to use of the birth cushion.

2. A small reduction in assisted deliveries (17 trials ‐ odds ratio (OR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.69 ‐ 0.98).

3. A reduction in episiotomies (11 trials ‐ OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.64 ‐ 0.84).

4. A smaller increase in second degree perineal tears (10 trials ‐ OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09 ‐ 1.54).

5. Increased estimated risk of blood loss > 500ml (10 trials ‐ OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.34 ‐ 3.32).

6. Reduced reporting of severe pain during second stage of labour (1 trial ‐ OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41 ‐ 0.83).

7. Fewer abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (1 trial ‐ OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11 ‐ 0.91).

Reviewer's conclusions

The tentative findings of this review suggest several possible benefits for upright posture, with the possibility of increased risk of blood loss > 500ml.

Women should be encouraged to give birth in the position they find most comfortable. Until such time the benefits and risks of various delivery positions are estimated with greater certainty when methodologically stringent trials data are available, then women should be allowed to make informed choices about the birth positions in which they might wish to assume for delivery of their babies.