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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- If you lie down during the early stages of childbirth, you might endure a longer labor.
A new study reveals women who kneel, stand, walk around or sit upright have a significantly shorter first stage of labor compared to women who lie down.
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Researchers analyzed data from 21 studies that involved more than 3,000 women. They found the first stage of labor was about one hour shorter for those who chose upright positions.
"This review demonstrates that there is some benefit and no risk to being upright and/or mobile during first stage of labor," Annemarie Lawrence, who works at the Institute of Women's and Children's Health at the Townsville Hospital in Australia, was quoted as saying.
Lawrence also cautioned that the results of the study suggest women should avoid lying flat during labor.
The researchers say more research is needed to better understand how birthing positions relate to levels of pain, control and satisfaction among women who give birth.
SOURCE: Cochrane Systematic Review, 2009
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