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We Lie Down On Our Backs in Childbirth For the Convenience of Men
Not because it’s the best position to give birth from
Television and movies tend to picture birth in a similar way. The mother’s waters break. She rushes to the hospital. There she lies down on her back in a hospital bed, in a brightly lit room, wearing a gown, surrounded by doctors and members of her family, screaming. Ideally, throughout she wears full makeup…
But this standard hospital environment inhibits the smooth progression of birth. Women are most likely to give birth vaginally without complications or difficulty if they are able to labour in a way that is instinctive to them. This means:
- freedom to move around during labour
- being upright or squatting depending on instinct
- trusting their body
Birth is an altogether more visceral, animal, messy, and feminine process, than what is shown on the television.
Looking at the history of humanity, it’s not normal for women to give birth flat on their backs. It’s documented throughout history the most common childbirth positions are upright or squatting over birthing stools. The reason for squatting or standing is because it is instinctual. It makes it easier for the baby to come out.
