Free Movement in Birth vs. Conventional Birth Positions
Carlyne Woodrow, Madison Swenson and Isabelle Thurmond
Integration of Evidence in Professional Nursing Practice Research Presentations, Research presentations (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 11/2025)
Maternal position during the second stage of labor (from full dilation to birth) is an influential and modifiable factor that affects maternal and neonatal outcomes. Factors that are affected include length of second stage laboring, mode of delivery (increased use of assistive devices such as forceps, vacuums or cesarean), perineal trauma, blood loss/hemorrhaging, fetal heart rate changes, and maternal birth experience. Several recent reviews found that upright and lateral positions often improved outcomes (i.e. shorter second stage, fewer episiotomies) while horizontal positions such as lithotomy/supine (conventional) were associated with worse outcomes (i.e. longer second stage, more abnormal fetal heart rate patterns and greater risk of severe perineal trauma) in some studies. These differences make positioning a practical, non-pharmacologic intervention that nurses and midwives can use to improve safety and patient experience during labor and postpartum.
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Title
Free Movement in Birth vs. Conventional Birth Positions
Resource Type
Presentation
Event
Integration of Evidence in Professional Nursing Practice Research Presentations, Research presentations (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 11/2025)
Contributors
Ashley Gruber (Faculty Mentor)
Format
mp4
Copyright
Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries by the author to digitize and/or display this information for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
Identifiers
99381552764906600
Academic Unit
School of Nursing; Usha Kundu, MD College of Health; BSN Virtual Student Scholarly Poster Showcase
Language
English
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Free Movement in Birth vs. Conventional Birth Positions