Childbirth positions

[4] In the lithotomy position, the birthing person is lying on their back with their legs up in stirrups and their buttocks close to the edge of the table.

Reclining positions became common in France during the 17th century, as obstetrics became a more respected field and ideas of birth being an affliction rather than natural became widespread.

[6] However, the lithotomy is not a comfortable position for most patients, considering the pressure on the vaginal walls because the baby's head is uneven and the labor process is working against gravity.

[8] Various people have promoted the adoption of upright birthing positions, particularly squatting, for Western countries, such as Grantly Dick-Read, Janet Balaskas, Moysés Paciornik and Hugo Sabatino.

Being upright during labour and birth can increase the available space within the pelvis by 28–30% giving more room to the baby for rotation and descent.

[12][13] The squatting position gives a greater increase of pressure in the pelvic cavity with minimal muscular effort.

[17] Side lying may help slow the baby's descent down the birth canal, thereby giving the perineum more time to naturally stretch.