The All Fours

The all fours position has many uses. Prior to birth adopting this position for periods during the day, encourages the baby into a favourable position in the pelvis. During labour you are working with gravity and the pelvis and coccyx are free to open fully. The hips can rotate, encouraging dilatation of the cervix as the baby's head engages fully with the cervix. Many mothers find birthing in this position comfortable, both on land or in the birthing pool.

 

NOTE: Practice of these postures without guidance from a teacher or appropriate book, if you are not familiar with them, is not advised.