The birth in an upright position today is becoming an increasingly popular option, which is actively discussed as an alternative to traditional childbirth in a lying position. However, if you look back in history, you can see that the birth was standing for women around the world for many centuries.

For many peoples, a vertical position during childbirth was a tradition. In the countries of South America, Central Asia, Africa and China, women gave birth to standing or sitting. An example is a tradition in Central Africa, where women went into the forest to give birth, squatting and leaning on the pole. It is also interesting that the Indian women gave birth, holding onto the tree branch, and the Aztecs depicted the goddess of childbearing as a woman in a squat with a child appearing between her legs.

In the West, vertical births were widespread in Holland and Germany. In Holland, it was accepted that the bride received a special chair for childbirth, with a neckline, which allowed to give birth to sitting. In Russia, women also traditionally gave birth not in bed, but, for example, sitting in a bathhouse, relying on her husband or taking a knee-elbow pose.

Today, childbirth in the lying position has become the norm in medical practice, but this tradition began to develop only in the 18th century in France. This happened during the period when the male obstetrician replaced women in the midwives, and it was more convenient for the doctor to take birth when the woman in labor lay.

Modern obstetricians are increasingly recommending vertical births as a way to alleviate pain in a woman and accelerate the process of birth. Physiologically, this situation contributes to the better disclosure of the cervix, and also helps the baby move faster along the birth canal.

Contractions become less painful, and childbirth passes with less voltage for a woman and child.

If you plan to give birth in an upright position, you should find out in advance if the hospital provides such an opportunity. It is important to remember that each woman will suit her position: for one it may be a clash of squat, for the other-on his knees, and someone can choose a horizontal pose. The main thing is that the woman listens to her body and choose the method that is most comfortable for her.

. Com. UA.