Hi everyone in today's podcast we're going to talk about the effects of movement

and positioning during labor on pain.

Welcome to the Evidence-Based Birth Podcast.

Join us each week as I tackle the evidence on another hot topic about childbirth.

As a reminder this information is not medical advice.

See Eviebirth.com slash disclaimer for more details.

Hi everyone, my name's Rebecca Decker. I'm a nurse with my PhD and the founder of

evidencebasedbirth.com. Today I'd like to talk with you specifically about the

effects of movement and positioning during the first and second stage of

labor on pain. I also want to give you a heads up that on Wednesday of this week we're

going to be releasing a brand new evidence-based birth signature article about the evidence on

birthing positions. But today we're going to focus in on the effects of

positioning and movement on pain.

Researchers have proposed several different ways

that upright positions and mobility

can help benefit normal labor in birth.

First of all, when you're upright, gravity

can assist in bringing the baby down. Also, when you're upright, you're

you're not laying on your aorta, which is the largest

blood vessel in your body.

If you're lying on your back, that can put pressure on the aorta,

which can compromise blood flow and oxygen to your baby. Also when you're upright

...