Active Birth

Active birth is a philosophy that was defined in the late 1970s in the UK by Janet Balaskas. The philosophy of active birth encourages women to listen to their bodies during labor, respond to their natural urges, and move as freely as possible.

The birth process is often considered a passive event. There is a widespread belief that a woman should surrender all control to the midwife or doctors. However, the birth process is not passive. On the contrary, women should understand their bodies, choose the position they want to give birth in, take control of the process, and develop awareness throughout it.

Women who move actively during labor tend to experience a more comfortable birth. Simply lying on the back during birth can cause stress for both the mother and baby. In active birth, the doctor and the team are present to support the mother. If there are no medical obstacles immediately after birth, skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby should be established right away.

Benefits of Upright Position During Labor:

1. When the mother is in an upright position, the baby can enter the pelvis (hip bones) more comfortably. With the help of gravity, the baby descends more quickly and easily.
2. There is no pressure on the blood vessels. As a result, blood flow to the baby is not reduced and oxygen delivery is improved.
3. Uterine contractions can work more effectively to support labor.
4. Lying flat on the back puts direct pressure on the nerves in the pelvic area, which can increase the perception of pain. Standing relieves this pressure, allowing for less pain.
5. While standing, the pelvic bones can move more freely and align in a way that allows the baby’s head to pass through more easily.
6. When standing, the perineal tissues relax more evenly. This helps the tissues stretch back naturally as the baby’s head emerges, reducing the need for an episiotomy.
7. Pushing in an upright position is more comfortable due to the aid of gravity.

In active birth, the mother should take whatever position feels best for her. Some may prefer to squat, others may feel more comfortable lying on their side. Lying on the back is not a medical rule. To determine the most comfortable birth position, the expectant mother should actively participate in labor, understand her body, and listen to its signals.