Pushing Positions
Semi-reclined
Tools - None
Purpose - Multi-use
Good for - Resting in between contractions; figuring out how to push
How - In a semi-reclined position, pull legs back for leverage. Can be done open or close-kneed. Can use stirrups for support.
Angled Squat
Tools - None
Purpose - Gravity; open pelvis; relaxed pelvic floor
Good for - Bringing baby lower; relaxing pelvic floor; rotating a baby
How - Sit at an angle with your back support and butt at the edge of the bed.
Tug-of-war
Tools - Sheet, scarf, or rebozo
Purpose - Leverage
Good for - More support for bearing down
How - Loop a sheet around a squat bar for greater leverage while pushing. Sheet can also be wrapped around the waist of a support person.
Closed-knee Pushing
Tools - None
Purpose - Open pelvic outlet
Good for - Bring baby down; rotate baby
How - Bring knees together and ankles apart. Can be done sitting, semi-reclined, side-lying, and on hands-and-knees.
Side-lying
Tools - None
Purpose - Gravity; open pelvis; rest
Good for - Resting; bringing baby down
How - Lying on your side, pull one leg back for pushing. Rest in between. Can use stirrups for rest if needed.
All-Fours
Tools - None
Purpose - Open pelvis; gravity
Good for - Rotating baby; bringing baby down
How - Rest on your hands and knees. Try tucking and untucking your sacrum.
Kneeling Lunge
Tools - None
Purpose - Bringing baby through the midline of the pelvis
Good for - Rotating a baby; bringing a baby down
How - Kneel and bring one leg up into a lunge, with your knee to the side. This can be down resting over a birth ball or the raised back of a hospital bed.
Supported Squat - Squat Bar
Tools - Squat Bar
Purpose - Gravity; leverage
Good for - Bring baby down
How - Attach a squat bar to the bed for an assisted squat.
Dangling Squat (Legs)
Tools - Support person
Purpose - Gravity; release pelvic floor; open pelvic outlet
Good for - Bringing baby into bottom of pelvis
How - The birthing person will place their arms over your thighs to dangle into a squat/
Dangling Squat (birth sling)
Tools - Birth sling
Purpose - Gravity, open pelvis outlet
Good for - Bringing baby into bottom of pelvis; release pelvic floor
How - Use a birth sling to dangle into a squat. Sling can support the arms as pictured, or be woven under the arm pits for a higher, standing squat.
Birth Stool
Tools - Birth stool
Purpose - Gravity; release pelvic floor
Good for - Bringing baby down
How - Use the birth stool for a supported squat and to mimic the pelvic release of the toilet.