Labor Positions: Side Lying What it is: The mother will rest on
one side, with her body in the position she tends to sleep in.
How it works: Side lying allows the mother to deeply relax the
muscles of her body. It will also allow her to rest without
putting undue pressure on her kidneys or her inferior vena cava
(which returns blood to the heart). Side lying puts the weight
of the uterus on the bed or floor, and allow the uterus to come
forward during contractions easily. When to do it: Side lying is
very useful when the mother is having a difficult time relaxing.
If she is overly fearful or tense, it can help her overcome the
pain by promoting deep muscle relaxation. Many women reach a
point during labor when they feel very tired and exhausted, and
desire to rest. At this time, side lying is very appropriate.
During early labor, side lying may not be necessary. If the
mother has energy and is able, other positions that encourage
labor to progress may be more appropriate. Incorporating it into
labor: Help the