You've gotten excellent info already so I don't have much to add.

I'll just say from my experience:

Best labor positions:
bent over a chair on my knees
squatting at the end of the bed
sitting up straight in bed with legs crossed

Worst labor positions:
lying on back
lying on side (though my doula had me do this to help move her at one point)

The key for me was changing positions every half hour or so. I had 4 hrs of hard labor followed by 2 hrs of pushing. I did deliver on my back but honestly by the time I was able to push it provided so much relief from the back labor that I didn't care that I was in the bed.

Also key for me was not having an IV to tie me down to the bed. There is really no need for one so if you can help it tell them thanks but no thanks!

Besides position changes I used counterpressure on my lower back and I counted each contraction in my head. That's all!

Best of luck with your upcoming birth.

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