Whats the best position for birthing?
Lying on the back is convenient for physicians, but “it’s the worst thing for a woman,” Pam says. This position, while common, is more painful for the woman because it collapses the diameter of the pelvis up to an inch, making delivery more difficult. Instead, Pam recommends women stand upright, move around and squat—keeping their hips higher than their knees—until they find the positions that best suit them. Are epidurals necessary? While eliminating pain has become a social norm, Pam says it may not be in the best interest of the woman. When an epidural is given, Pam says it interrupts the biofeedback mechanism in the body in which the dilating cervix sends messages to the brain to produce more oxytocin, which in turn leads to the release of endorphins, which are natural pain killers. Labor often slows down or stops as a result, which requires additional drugs be administered, Pam says. While it’s up to a woman to decide whether she wants an epidural, Pam says it’s important that wom
