Vertical childbirth (16 photos): what it is, pros and cons, features and reviews

Stages of labor

There are three stages of vertical labor:

Stretching the cervix. The longest stage. The woman in labor should actively move so that the uterus contracts faster: do exercises on a fitball, walk or even swim. But in general, a woman can choose the position that seems most comfortable to her.
Pushing and expulsion of the fetus from the uterus. Uterine contractions become frequent and intense. The woman in labor takes a position that is comfortable for her, most often this is a squatting or kneeling position; sometimes childbirth can take place on a chair with a special hole for receiving the baby. In case of complications, the doctor can at any time transfer the woman in labor to a lying position in order to better control the entire birth process.
Birth of the placenta. The passage of the placenta occurs quite quickly due to the force of gravity when the mother is in an upright position. At this moment, the woman puts the baby to her breast for the first time.

How is vertical birth different?

In general, the process is similar to the horizontal version, but the woman’s behavior is somewhat different.

The first stage is the dilation of the cervix. Now absolutely freedom of action is allowed, that is, a lady can behave as she pleases (sit, lie, walk). Proponents of horizontal childbirth argue that you should not lie down during direct contractions. The expectant mother must independently choose the most comfortable position. Vertical birth does not require pain relief, as it severely limits freedom of movement.

The second stage is pushing. The optimal position for childbirth is when the woman kneels on the bed, facing the back of the bed. If the expectant mother chooses a squatting position or a chair, she sits facing the doctor. The doctor, together with the midwife, monitors the process and delivers the baby. If emergency assistance is required, the woman is placed on her back.

The third stage is the expulsion of the placenta. The last stage of labor, during which the woman also remains in an upright position, puts the baby to her breast, which provokes contractions of the uterus and speeds up the whole process.

Advantages and disadvantages of this method

If you doubt the effectiveness of vertical birth, check out its pros and cons.

Advantages

To decide what to choose, study the advantages of vertical childbirth:

the vertical position is physiological and causes less pain;
the cervix opens faster due to the pressure of the fetus and amniotic sac;
the initial phase of labor is reduced by several hours due to physical activity;
the pushing stage is facilitated due to the action of gravity;
the placenta comes out faster when the woman is in a sitting or standing position;
no compression of blood vessels;
the risk of developing hypoxia in a child is minimized;
it is easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal;
the baby’s head is not subject to trauma, as it quickly adapts to the conditions of the birth canal;
the possibility of ruptures and blood loss is reduced;
Doctors do not use dangerous obstetric procedures.

In some situations, when a woman is indicated for a cesarean section, vertical birth can be resorted to.

This is possible with:

visual dysfunctions leading to retinal detachment;
cardiac and vascular pathologies.

With vertical delivery, the woman in labor avoids the negative consequences of the operation.

Flaws

There are several negative aspects of such births:

inability to use painkillers;
problems with choosing a comfortable position, despite their large selection;
lack of rest for a woman in the first stage of labor, which reduces her activity during the period of pushing;
with a large body weight, a woman can provoke a rupture of the perineum and the appearance of hemorrhoids;
inability to measure the baby’s heart rhythm;
difficulties in controlling the process of delivery and performing certain manipulations for the doctor.

In addition, not every maternity hospital is equipped with chairs for childbirth. They should have a hole in the center, a hand rest and foot rests.

Such chairs are uncomfortable for doctors - they have to bend over and kneel to examine the woman in labor.

Childbirth in the supine position is more painful and carries an increased risk of the baby sustaining a birth injury. This is due to gravity - the heavy uterus with the fetus puts pressure on the spine, compresses the aorta and inferior vena cava. This increases the likelihood of developing hypoxia in the fetus and leads to impaired blood pressure in the mother. Vertical birth, again according to gravity, does not cause pinching of blood vessels. Monitoring using CTG during childbirth confirms that the condition of the fetus during vertical birth is always more favorable than during classic birth on the back.

Pain during childbirth in an upright position is reduced by reducing the gravitational load on the back. Therefore, the need for drug pain relief is reduced. Even relatively gentle epidural anesthesia has an effect on the fetus. It is not used in vertical childbirth. There is also rarely a need to use stimulant drugs - contractions in an upright position are rarely discoordinated or weakened.

The period of contractions during classical childbirth, according to experts, lasts about three hours longer than during vertical labor. The dilation of the cervix occurs at a faster pace, again thanks to gravitational fields and pressure from the baby's head.

Pushing in an upright position is less painful; during the pushing stage of the birth process, the baby is pushed out not only by birth forces, but also by gravity. Babies get injured less often, since the movement becomes softer and more delicate, because the woman feels the muscles of the perineum and pelvic floor well. The period of pushing itself increases by about half an hour, but the slower exit of the baby ensures a low probability of injury.

The third stage of labor in vertically giving birth usually goes faster - the placenta comes out more easily under the influence of gravity. This reduces blood loss by approximately 200 ml. Recovery after such births is faster, not only for the mother, but also for the baby. The adaptive abilities of such children are rated significantly higher than those of children born during classical childbirth or as a result of a cesarean section.

If a woman has myopia, has a history of retinal detachment, or has heart disease, then previously there was only one way out - a caesarean section, since pushing is not recommended for such women. Today, with such indications, vertical births are quite successfully performed without harm to the health of the mother and baby.

Despite all the above advantages, this method of delivery also has disadvantages:

It is more difficult for an obstetrician to monitor the condition of the fetus, do CTG during pushing, and take readings of the baby’s heartbeat;
epidural anesthesia cannot be used, since the lower part of the body will partially lose sensitivity and the woman will not be able to control her sensations;
if the perineum has anatomical defects, the likelihood of ruptures increases, while in an upright position, obstetricians can do practically nothing to prevent injury to the mother;
in an upright position, the likelihood of rapid labor increases, which can lead to fetal injury;
in any unforeseen circumstances or difficulties, it is more difficult for an obstetrician to provide assistance to a woman who is in an upright position.

Vertical childbirth has not only advantages, but also disadvantages:

It is much more difficult for the doctor to monitor the birth and control the passage of the baby through the birth canal.
If complications arise, it will be more difficult for the obstetrician to provide medical care.
It is not possible to use epidural anesthesia and painkillers, as this affects the sensitivity of the lower extremities.
To carry out a vertical birth, the maternity hospital must have a special chair with a hole in the center, above which the pelvis and vagina are located when the woman sits on it. The device has a support for arms and a footrest, through the hole the doctor accepts the newborn.
In some cases, such positions turn out to be uncomfortable for the woman in labor.
If repeated births occur quickly, the child risks getting a birth injury.
The period of pushing is longer than with horizontal labor.

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There is a special chair for vertical childbirth.

When choosing a method of delivery, every woman studies the pros and cons of vertical childbirth. The choice in favor of a vertical position is due to undeniable advantages compared to the classic method of childbirth for European women:

The circulatory system of the woman in labor is in a natural position, the vessels are not compressed, as during horizontal childbirth. This reduces the risk of suffocation of the baby when passing through the birth canal.
At birth in an upright position, women are allowed and recommended the presence of a loved one, a partner. This could be a spouse, relative or friend. The woman in labor will feel calmer and more confident, without feeling lonely.
The pain of contractions and pushing is reduced due to the ability to change the position to a more comfortable one. In addition, the muscles relax during movement, which reduces the body's resistance to the opening of the cervix and pelvis.
The uterine os opens faster, because The baby's head presses on the neck.
In a standing position, it is more convenient for a woman in labor to control her body and push.
Ruptures and injuries during vertical delivery occur in only 1% of women.
Children born in a vertical position are 10 times less likely to have birth injuries than horizontal newborns. Also, doctors do not have to use forceps and other instruments to help the baby pass through the birth canal. Thanks to this fact, the risk of infection of the woman’s genitourinary system and injury to the baby is reduced.
At the last stage of delivery, the placenta is delivered. As a result, the woman loses 2 times less blood, and the duration of the painful procedure is reduced.
For women in labor with heart disease, severe myopia and vascular pathologies, vertical delivery is prescribed by many obstetricians.

Despite the impressive list of advantages, delivery on a special chair also has some disadvantages:

It is difficult for an obstetrician to fully control the birth process. With horizontal birth, control is complete.
Due to the lack of permanent monitoring of the newborn’s condition, the doctor may not notice dangerous pathologies, lack of heartbeat or breathing in time. This fact can be fatal for the baby.
Vertical delivery is based on a woman’s intuition and inner feelings. For this reason, this method of childbirth does not use anesthesia or any type of pain relief.
If a woman has an abnormal structure of the birth canal, complications are possible upon resolution.
Vertical birth is much faster. If the obstetrician has insufficient experience, injuries to the newborn may occur.

The risks of vertical delivery are associated with the experience of the gynecologist and the presence of certain types of pathologies in the woman. The occurrence of complications is very rare and the advantages of being born in an upright position outweigh the disadvantages.

How does delivery proceed during vertical birth?

Moving around the ward, the woman tries positions for vertical delivery and searches for the most comfortable one. If something goes wrong during the birth process, the doctor will definitely lay you down and help you. Obstetricians are trained not only to deliver babies, but also to:

Video: the opinion of doctors and mothers who gave birth about the vertical method of childbirth

Reviews from women about vertical childbirth

I gave birth free of charge and vertically. I had a very difficult birth, because the baby was post-term by 2.5 weeks. And if I gave birth lying down, I would probably have to do a cesarean section or pull the baby with a vacuum. But I was lucky with the doctor; she delivered me while I was squatting! And the most amazing thing is that everything went easily and quickly! I also want to give birth to my second child vertically and not suffer!
Aleksandra Alekseenko
https://deti.mail.ru/forum/v_ozhidanii_chuda/rody/vertikalnye_rody/

I gave birth there vertically, and also had contractions while kneeling on the bed. Very pleased. The downside of my vertical birth is severe tearing, because the baby is large, 4 kg, but this is complete garbage compared to the pain I experienced on my back because all the contractions were in my back. The midwife immediately understood this and said that I had no options - only vertically, for which I thank her very much.
A-nutik
https://www.babyblog.ru/community/post/rstory/1569717

She endured all the contractions and attempts while standing near the Swedish stairs. She gave birth to her head while squatting. While pushing, she squatted and pushed. At this time, the doctor and midwife laid Larisa down (I don’t remember exactly) on the floor and watched the baby walk. Then they carefully shifted her sideways onto a chair and the birthing body was lying down. Everything is fine with the child. The crotch broke a little (or somewhere there)). 3 cosmetic stitches were applied. On the same day it was possible to lie down. I gave birth standing up because the contractions subsided while lying down and sitting. I asked for a special chair similar to a toilet seat, but the doctor advised against it. She said that many hemorrhoids and varicose veins of the uterus cheated themselves on it. I felt uncomfortable on the ball. He kept jumping out from under me))). I think I gave birth easily. At 10 o'clock I went into the labor room. At 12.55 my son was born. Have an easy birth.
Elena
https://www.baby.ru/community/view/22562/forum/post/406133486/

Poses and chair

There are no specific recommended positions for vertical childbirth. Their beauty lies precisely in the fact that the woman in labor can choose any position of her body, as long as she is comfortable. Most often, women squat, stand on all fours, take a knee-elbow position, and hang on their partner’s neck. Poses should be studied in advance and rehearsed at home, but you should not choose your preferred ones in advance - childbirth will definitely make its own adjustments.

During the period of pushing, the squatting position is considered the most effective. During contractions, a woman can change positions arbitrarily as she likes. But almost all of them will require physical support from a partner not only during contractions, but also during the pushing period.

There is a special chair for vertical childbirth. On it, a woman can take any position, but not lie down. The pelvis is constantly suspended. Such equipment is quite simple, but not every maternity hospital currently has it.

In contrast to horizontal childbirth, with vertical childbirth much attention is paid to the woman’s intuitive feelings. To give permission, a woman is offered a special chair on which she can take various positions:

Squatting (independently and with the support of an assistant);
Standing (with support on the handrails);
Sitting;
In the knee-elbow position and its variations.

You can study all available positions and rehearse them at special courses for future parents or under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. Already in the process of resolution, the obstetrician delivering the baby may recommend a horizontal position if none of the positions alleviate the mother’s suffering.

During the pushing period, a pregnant woman can be in several positions:

Squatting, legs apart and lowering your pelvis as low as possible. This method helps speed up the process and expand the pelvic ring, but can lead to ruptures of the perineum and rapid leg fatigue.
Half sitting or standing. The position allows the woman in labor to rest and gain strength, however, if labor is weak, it is contraindicated.
On my knees. In this position, gravity works best, and the risk of perineal rupture is minimal. But it is possible only with a cephalic presentation of the fetus. If labor is rapid, kneeling is prohibited. The position is also indicated when there is a likelihood of ruptures and necessary cutting of the perineum, for example, during rapid labor or when the baby is breech.
Standing on all fours, your knees should be wide apart. The pose is comfortable for relaxation and pain reduction. The position is also effective in reducing the rate of labor activity.

Variants of postures during vertical childbirth

Childbirth chair

Vertical childbirth is: fashionable, convenient and useful. It is worth noting that this procedure does not require an expensive, trendy chair or a special chair.

You can give birth:

standing;
On your knees;
Squatting.

Naturally, it is more convenient to use a specific gynecological chair, the design of which is initially thought out to the smallest detail. This device is so convenient that a woman can independently find a suitable position for childbirth, which will greatly facilitate the process. The downside of this chair is that you won’t be able to lie down on it. There is a special recess inside the chair to allow the woman's pelvic area to be covered, and there are also supports for the arms and legs. The height of the chair is not high, which allows you to quickly get off and on, and also allow the doctor to monitor the entire process.

Who are they contraindicated for?

Childbirth in an upright position has a number of contraindications, and therefore may not be allowed for all pregnant women. So, women should not give birth vertically in the following situations:

pronounced pathologies of pregnancy;
labor began prematurely;
the baby is in a pelvic, transverse or other pathological presentation;
the woman has a clinically narrow pelvis;
the child's head is large;
the woman has chronic diseases of internal organs.

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Indications and contraindications

Medical indications for which it is still advisable to give birth unconventionally include cardiovascular diseases in a pregnant woman. Then she shouldn't have a caesarean section. And secondly, there is a risk of retinal detachment from excessive pressure.

Who should definitely not decide to have a natural vertical birth? There is a list of contraindications in which a woman risks both her life and the life of her child if she goes into labor without supervision and without medications. Basically, these are several categories of women in labor:

Pregnant women for whom doctors have prescribed a planned caesarean section based on physiological indicators.
Those whose ultrasound shows that the baby has not turned head down by the appointed time are also not recommended to take risks.
A woman has a physiologically narrow pelvis.
Poorly dilating uterus.
Stitches left after the first birth, which took place via cesarean.
Abnormal location of the placenta.
Pathologies of the uterus that were present before pregnancy, or uterine cancer.
Chronic fetal hypoxia.
Large baby or twins.

These are the most basic contraindications. There is one more thing, very important. For girls who already have varicose veins at a young age, it is almost impossible to give birth while sitting. Since the load on the legs is greater, the vein disease will worsen.

Optimal conditions

In order for vertical birth to be successful, optimal conditions for this must be created in the maternity hospital:

Natural childbirth. The risk of unforeseen situations should be minimized.
Trained medical personnel to provide the necessary assistance in a timely manner.
A special chair with a hole in the middle through which the doctor will receive the child.
Willingness to change position so that in emergency situations a woman in labor can easily take a lying position - even a few lost seconds can lead to serious health problems for mother and child

Natural childbirth. How to prepare?

A woman who plans to give birth on her own, without an epidural, should take a physical training course. I must say that it's worth it.

It is very difficult for a modern woman who is accustomed to the comfort of home, personal transportation and the availability of all sorts of painkillers for every occasion to give birth. Civilization has made adjustments to both lifestyle and physiology.

Wild pain is not easy to withstand. You need to physically prepare yourself so that labor pains do not cause panic. The woman begins to scream in panic, and this is harmful for both the child and the expectant mother. A woman in labor may experience ruptures from physical overexertion. And since the woman stops inhaling full oxygen and exhales it while screaming, the child will definitely get hypoxia.

Preparation takes a long time and is intense. With the help of outdoor training and constant breathing control, you can gradually strengthen your will and endurance. It is best to perform yoga asanas aimed at endurance and training the pelvic muscles. You definitely need to learn to relax all your muscles. During the short rest period between contractions, you need to restore strength and mental stability as much as possible.

But this is not 1, or even 2 months of training. This should be started from the beginning of pregnancy. It is best to take courses where specialists will explain everything and force you to practice deep breathing.

How to prepare?

Preparing for childbirth in an upright position requires special diligence. You definitely need to learn how to relax your muscles and breathe correctly during contractions and pushing. You will have to take the courses with a partner. It will show exercises for two on acceptable poses and support, which it is advisable to rehearse at home. During vertical childbirth, a woman can use a fitball.

Preparation will require collecting the necessary documents not only for the woman in labor, but also for her partner - without a list of test results and doctor’s reports, the partner will simply not be allowed into the maternity hospital. You also need to carefully familiarize yourself with the “range” of maternity hospitals and perinatal centers, find a doctor who is a supporter of vertical childbirth and sign an exchange card with the chief of medicine or the chief physician of the selected obstetric institution.

History of obstetrics. A look into the past

We should remember how women gave birth several centuries ago. Childbirth in a horizontal position on a bed became popular only 250-300 years ago.

And in even more ancient times, women were completely dependent on the mercy of nature. In France, it was considered convenient and safe to give birth on all fours, in China - sitting on a chair. And in many European countries they also gave birth while sitting. In Holland there was even a custom, following which mothers gave a chair for vertical childbirth along with their daughter’s dowry for the wedding. These were ordinary wooden chairs, without even any upholstery.

It was very difficult for the women, and the danger to their lives was incredible. After all, no one at that time monitored how the child was positioned in the uterus and how ready the woman’s heart was for such physical exertion. Nowadays medicine is well prepared for any situation during childbirth and doctors know when a woman can give birth on her own and when her body is simply not ready for this.

Advantages and disadvantages

Flaws

According to experts, vertical birth is less painful and proceeds faster.
Vertical delivery has many advantages over traditional childbirth:

During the birth process, there is a companion nearby (mother or husband) who can help the woman in labor calm down, distract from unpleasant thoughts and pain, and hold her hand.
There is no uterine pressure on the hematopoietic vessels and internal organs, due to which there is no venous stagnation and blood supply disturbances, which reduces the risk of fetal hypoxia and reduces pain.
The expectant mother can choose a comfortable position herself, in which the pain is much easier to bear, and also change her body position.
With this method, painkillers are practically not used.
If a woman gives birth while sitting or semi-sitting, the passage of the baby through the birth canal occurs much softer and smoother, as a result of which there are practically no complications for the child and mother. During traditional childbirth, the perineum has to be cut in 25% of cases; with a vertical position, this figure is 5%.
The cervix dilates faster.
The physical activity of a woman in labor reduces the period of contractions by 2-3 hours. Pushing in a standing position is also much easier to bear.
With vertical delivery, the placenta is born faster - this is explained by the position of the laboring woman and the baby's breastfeeding. In this case, bleeding is significantly reduced, and the risk of infection of the uterus is reduced.
Newborns gain weight faster and are less likely to suffer from neurological diseases.

Childbirth positions

There is no universal position in which a woman should be throughout the entire process of giving birth to a child. The most comfortable positions are listed below:

Squatting.
Sitting.
On the knees.
Squatting while simultaneously being supported by a partner.
Half sitting.

Intuitively, every representative of the fair sex understands exactly what position should be taken in order to make the passage of the baby through the birth canal as easy as possible. According to experts, all posture options should be studied and even rehearsed in advance. However, making a decision in advance about exactly what type of birth will take place is pointless. One woman is comfortable kneeling, another woman is comfortable squatting. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. If the doctor understands that the vertical position does not help the expectant mother and only causes discomfort, he may recommend a lying position.

Useful tips

Today, with the development of paid medicine, there are many people who want to make money from a couple’s desire to give birth the way they want. Not all maternity hospitals agree to accept vertical births, this is still a fact. But more and more private clinics are appearing that offer such services for a lot of money. Moreover, often the “specialists” of such clinics not only do not have a license to perform vertical births, but sometimes also do not have a medical education.

You can often encounter such charlatans in preparation courses for vertical childbirth. In a number of regions of Russia, there were conflict situations in which the organizers and teachers of vertical birth schools did not have medical education and harmed their clients, who paid considerable money for classes. When choosing courses and a maternity hospital, a woman and her partner should be careful. We are talking about the health of two people - mother and baby. You definitely need to make sure you have a license and inquire about the doctor’s qualifications.

Which birth is better, vertical or horizontal?

Which birth is better, vertical or horizontal, is an almost eternal question, since there are supporters of both.

It is worth noting that it is not enough to simply decide on a vertical birth, since in addition to this you will need:

Pre-pass the study;
Consultation with a gynecologist;
Preliminary examination before childbirth to exclude contraindications.

The most important thing that experts recommend is to rely solely on your wishes and feelings, since if you pay attention to the reviews of other women, you will find an incredible number of those who are for and those who are against. Everyone has their own attitude to such types of labor and it can bring benefit to some, but only harm to others.

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There are insurance organizations that offer vertical childbirth, but it is worth checking whether they have a license, equipment and specialists for this. It is far from uncommon that most obstetricians have no idea what vertical birth is, and therefore when planning the end of pregnancy and if you want to carry out the process in an original way, you need to clarify all points of interest in advance in order to eliminate unpleasant moments and especially personal experiences .

About contraindications

If a woman is indicated for a cesarean section, but surgical intervention is contraindicated for some reason, the doctor may recommend a vertical birth. The main factors for this are:

Cardiovascular diseases.
High myopia.
Possibility of retinal detachment.

With a narrow pelvis, vertical childbirth is contraindicated
. Vertical childbirth is prohibited if:

Childbirth occurs prematurely.
The fetus suffers from lack of oxygen.
The baby is large.
There is a need to cut the perineum.
Any complications during childbirth are observed, for example, incorrect position of the baby, placenta previa, or high risks of injury.
The woman has a narrow pelvis.
There is a need to use obstetric forceps.

Vertical birth is contraindicated when it comes to even the slightest complications. They can be breech presentation of the fetus, a large head of the baby, hypoxia of the baby, premature birth. You should also not give birth vertically if there is a need to use obstetric forceps or a need to cut the perineum, or if the mother has diseases of the internal organs.

In all other cases, vertical childbirth practically “from all sides” becomes a worthy and more gentle alternative to horizontal childbirth. Another thing is that most maternity hospitals rarely practice this technique, although at the stage of contractions, obstetricians usually advise women to always move more, and only when the uterus is dilated enough do they place them on the table.

In some cases, doctors prohibit vertical delivery if there are contraindications for the woman or fetus:

Any complications, pathologies of pregnancy;
Prematurity of the fetus;
Impossibility of natural childbirth due to the mother’s narrow pelvis and the need for a cesarean section;
The size and weight of the fetus is too large, forecasts for the need to use forceps;
The birth is carried out urgently due to hypoxia of the baby.
If the doctor suspects complications in the child or the mother, as well as in certain pathologies, vertical birth will be prohibited.

Vertical delivery is not the most common practice in Russia. If the obstetrician-gynecologist observing the expectant mother has experience in such births, and there is a maternity ward with the necessary equipment nearby, it’s worth a try. With vertical birth, the risk of injury is lower for both the fetus and the mother in labor. Birth is faster, less painful and with minimal intervention.

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Reviews from women in labor

What will those who became mothers say thanks to the help of specialists studying vertical childbirth? Photos of mothers who have experienced such births and their own reviews tell us that they really feel better.

And women in labor recover much faster. For women leading an active business lifestyle, it is important to stay on their feet. The most important advantage of vertical childbirth, reviews from mothers have already confirmed this, is the child’s rapid adaptation to our world. When both mother and child have not received any injuries, the newborn does not have hypoxia, the two of them can go home the next day.

Reviews from women

Reviews about vertical childbirth are mostly positive. The opinion of women who had their first birth in the classic position is especially valuable. They note that it is easier to give birth vertically, and the pain is much less pronounced.

The first stage of labor, according to reviews, can be quite tiring for a woman in labor: walking, standing and hanging with contractions quickly gets boring. But the benefits of the pushing period are appreciated by everyone without exception. There are almost no reviews of injuries on the part of the mother during such childbirth. There are also no reviews about birth injuries in the baby. Women often complain that doctors, even agreeing to vertical birth, did not give the woman in labor complete freedom to choose a position, and imposed a semi-sitting position, in which it was easier for them to work, without taking into account the opinion of the woman giving birth.

Is it possible to give birth vertically for free? Yes, the reviews confirm this. True, for this, several conditions must coincide: the maternity hospital must support vertical childbirth, there must be such doctors, a separate labor room, because the presence of a partner is assumed. In this case, a compulsory medical insurance policy is sufficient. In other cases, you will have to enter into an agreement for paid medical services and separately specify all the specified points in the agreement.

See the following video about the pros and cons of vertical childbirth.

Choosing a maternity hospital

Not many women in labor know about the benefits of this method, and not everyone can afford to give birth naturally. Nowadays, many people suffer from gynecological chronic diseases, in which the doctor will not approve of the desire to produce a child without medication. When allowed, you need to choose a suitable maternity hospital, where vertical childbirth has been practiced for a long time, and the doctors have experience. Honey. The establishment must satisfy both the attitude of the staff towards the mother in labor and the price category.

Understanding what kind of maternity hospital you need is a mandatory planning item. Vertical childbirth is not practiced in all maternity hospitals. Now this is the exception rather than the rule. To accept them, a medical institution must have a license.

Preparing for vertical birth

While carrying a child, you need to attend preparatory courses for expectant mothers and fathers. There you will be taught the correct breathing technique and the skills of relaxing muscle structures.

It is also recommended to perform gymnastic exercises on a fitball; this will strengthen your muscles, preparing them for the difficult process of childbirth.

If you have made your choice, then start studying childbirth positions and putting them into practice. You need to familiarize yourself with all the possible positions during childbirth, alternating which you will alleviate your condition.

It is also important to choose in advance a maternity hospital that practices vertical birth.

Vertical positions include:

Sitting on a special chair, resting your limbs on special stands. In this case, the pelvis must be positioned above the hole.
Squatting. This position is most favorable for the child - it is easy for him to pass through the birth canal. But in this position, the woman in labor quickly gets tired, given that the process is accompanied by pain.
Kneeling is the most common position.
Standing on all fours. This position is used to reduce the speed of the labor process in order to reduce the intensity of pain.

If you are planning a joint birth, you can rehearse positions with your partner. It can support you when you are squatting or kneeling.

This way, you will understand in advance whether such a method is suitable for you.

Knowing how to prepare for an upright birth can help an expectant mother reduce stress and the risk of injury. The process of childbirth always requires preparation and always carries with it certain risks. The majority of pain experienced by a woman in labor is associated with involuntary muscle tension, which becomes an obstacle to the passage of the baby through the birth canal.

The main stages of preparation include:

Breathing training, training positions for childbirth;
Fitball exercises;
Learning to control your body and muscle tension;
Constant observation by an obstetrician-gynecologist, monitoring the condition of a pregnant woman.

It is necessary to start preparing for childbirth 3-4 months before the baby is born. For the birth process to be successful, you must:

Choose a maternity hospital and a qualified doctor. Most clinics only practice horizontal births, so it’s worth starting your search as early as possible.
Learn to properly relax your muscles and breathe. Pain during childbirth occurs due to overstrain of the muscle tissue that prepares the birth canal for the baby. Performing exercises on a special ball helps warm up muscles and relieve pain.
Study all possible positions that are used in this technique. It is recommended to attend special classes for pregnant women, where you can learn how the birth process will go and what you should pay attention to.
Choose a partner for childbirth - this should be a person who can calm and support the woman in labor at the most exciting moment - for example, a husband, mother or best friend.

You can learn more about vertical childbirth in courses for pregnant women.
It is necessary to properly prepare for vertical childbirth. There is nothing supernatural about this. It is almost no different from ordinary ones and includes the following activities:

Try a fitball, which teaches you how to relax your muscles.
You need to master proper breathing procedures.
It is necessary to carefully consider all possible postures that can be used for this technique (sitting or semi-sitting, knee-elbow, kneeling or all fours, squatting with support, squatting alone).
It is worth deciding on a partner during childbirth.
You need to take preparatory courses.
Find an experienced specialist and an equipped clinic.
Throughout pregnancy you should be under constant supervision of a specialist.

If the gynecologist who is observing the pregnant woman has experience in this technique and recommends giving birth this way, then it’s worth listening and trying. If the doctor has even the slightest doubt, then you should refuse. Today there are few such clinics in Russia, and the staff is poorly trained. Perhaps the time will soon come when children will appear this way, but for now it is far from that.

Minuses

Vertical childbirth has disadvantages and contraindications. Among the disadvantages, the following should be noted:

the doctor has less ability to control the progress of the child through the birth canal;
there is no way to monitor the child’s heart rate;
there is a risk of deep soft tissue ruptures.

Direct contraindications to vertical childbirth are:

pathologies of fetal development;
pathologies of the structure of the female genital organs;
narrow pelvis;
hypoxia of the child.

There is no clear answer to the question “What is the best way to give birth – vertically or horizontally?” does not exist. Both delivery options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Only a doctor can give correct recommendations regarding the correct position of a woman during childbirth.

Summarizing

Vertical birth is the most physiological and comfortable for the woman in labor, since she can take any comfortable position in a sitting or lying position. The main disadvantage of vertical delivery is that the doctor will not be able to fully observe the progress of the birth process, as would be the case with traditional childbirth.

However, there is no need to worry; a pregnant woman should consult her doctor so that he can recommend the best option for her. Whatever method of delivery the expectant mother chooses, she should be positive and remember that a miracle will soon be born - her baby.

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Advantages of giving birth in an upright position

The pressure on the uterus is insignificant, so the necessary amount of blood and oxygen enters it. Vertical birth prevents the development of hypoxia and reduces the time of contractions.
Many women note an almost complete absence of pain discomfort. This frees you from using medications that can harm the fetus.
Low chance of uterine infection.
Due to the rapid expulsion of the placenta, blood loss is reduced.
To a certain extent, a woman can independently control the process of contractions.

How active should a woman be in the first two stages?

In order for a vertical birth to be successful, in the first two stages the woman must be as active as possible, but all movements must be carried out under the constant supervision of medical staff. In some European-style clinics, there are even warm water pools in the delivery rooms. Immersion in warm water relieves pain symptoms, helping the expectant mother to relax after the next stage of contractions. That is, in this case it is allowed not only to move, but even to swim and sit in the water. If you are confident in the sterility of the room, as well as the pool itself, then this is a wonderful practice.

During not the most painful contractions and after them, a woman can walk, stretch her back, squat and stand up. Very good results can be achieved by moving on a special rubber ball. Psychologists advise trying to remain as calm as possible, not allowing fear or panic to even get one meter closer to your own consciousness. Excessive release of adrenaline has a detrimental effect on many systems. In addition, if you let a wave of fear approach you and give in to these emotions, it will be very difficult to calm down later.

A person in a state of panic begins to hear, understand, and perceive the world around him worse, and a woman giving birth must be very controllable. Ideally, completely comply with all the doctor’s requirements at the first word. A quick response and correct execution of the doctor’s commands is almost a guarantee that the birth will go as quickly, smoothly and perfectly as possible.

That is, during the first two stages of childbirth, a woman should not lie motionless - walking, squats, even a swimming pool or shower is allowed, but under the supervision of medical personnel.

And how it was before - why now almost everyone gives birth horizontally

In fact, horizontal childbirth is less natural and not so familiar to our body. This method began to spread only a few centuries ago from France. Few people know, but horizontal childbirth is popular only in European countries. In Asia, Africa, and the East, women give birth more vertically, unless, of course, there are special instructions.

Horizontal birth is more convenient for the obstetrician than for the woman in labor. The fact is that in this position it is easier for him to monitor the baby’s health and regulate the entire process.

In Rus', traditionally, childbirth took place not in hospitals, but at home. There was even a unique category of female midwives. In some areas they were called witches, that is, knowledgeable, knowledgeable mothers. They regulated the birth process as follows: the first two stages, or rather one and a half, because half of the first stage the midwife was just getting to the woman in labor, the birth often took place in a bathhouse. A bathhouse was heated for the woman, but not very hot. There they washed her, cleaned her, opened her pores with bath brooms, and, in general, cooked her. At the same time, the midwife forced the woman to move as much as possible, even sometimes lift moderately heavy objects if the birth process itself was delayed.

Sometimes the child’s immediate exit also took place in the bathhouse. Any presence or participation of the husband, the father of the child, or indeed any man in general was not allowed. Usually they just waited, listening intently, for the thin, long-awaited cry of the baby to be heard between the cries of their woman.

We also recommend reading: Is it painful to give birth?

Of course, women giving birth back then were incomparably healthier than they are now, but help in critical situations was not as qualified then as it is today. But what is known for sure is that most women then, many centuries ago, gave birth not in a strict horizontal position, but in the way that was convenient for them. As for Africa, eastern countries, in particular Japan, women there often give birth in an upright position, because it is considered the safest for the expectant mother and her baby.