Giving birth in a birth chair and in the squat position is a method commonly used in natural birth practice, which helps facilitate birth by particularly widening the pelvic area.
Squat, which is designed specifically for mothers planning a natural birth, is a tool that allows giving birth in a seated and supported position. The squat position is used to make birth easier by utilizing gravity and opening the pelvis (hip bones) to the maximum level. These positions help the mother to more comfortably and effectively progress in labor.
In many Western countries, especially in Europe and North America, birth chairs and alternative birth positions are increasingly being integrated into birth practices. For example, in the UK, institutions like the NHS (National Health Service) support such practices to encourage natural and personalized birth experiences. The use of birth chairs is more common in the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries because these countries promote natural birth and patient-centered care.
In many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, squat positions are commonly used as part of traditional birth practices. We also see these practices frequently in the history of childbirth in Anatolia.
Advantages of the Birth Chair
Sitting in a birth chair allows gravity to be used to the advantage of birth. This position helps the baby progress more easily through the birth canal. The squatting position is an evolutionary adaptation of the human body for birth, and it can widen the pelvis by 10-15%. This allows the baby’s head and body to pass more comfortably.
While sitting in a birth chair, the mother can exert more control and force, making the pushing phase more effective. Squatting can reduce the intensity of labor pains and help the mother avoid exhaustion.
The squat position allows the mother to change positions and adjust herself in a way that feels comfortable. This flexibility makes the birth process more dynamic and personal. It is also important to have a professional birth assistant (midwife or doula) present when giving birth in the birth chair or squat position. These professionals help ensure that the birth process is managed safely.
Preparation Before Birth
I strongly recommend that mothers considering giving birth in the squat position participate in our regularly held Hypnolady Birth Preparation Classes. As the team that performed the first births in the squat position at all private hospitals in Izmir, we were pioneers in the routine use of this birth position in delivery rooms. Hearing about the use of alternative birth positions from us, with a different perspective, and experiencing these positions before birth will add depth and vision to your outlook on labor.
Additionally, doing exercises before birth is very important and increases the success rate of birth in the birth chair, reducing the need for epidural anesthesia support.
Giving Birth in a Birth Chair, Squat Position, and Lithotomy Position: A Comparative and Philosophical Perspective
The two most commonly used birth positions in modern obstetric practice are the birth chair in the squat position and the lithotomy position. By examining the differences between these two positions, their physical and psychological effects on mothers, and the philosophical implications on the birth experience, we arrive at several insights.
The squat position maximizes the widening of the pelvis and allows the baby to progress more easily by utilizing the natural advantage of gravity. This position enables the mother to actively participate and can shorten the birth process. However, holding a squat position for a long time can be challenging for some mothers.
It offers more autonomy and control to the woman in labor, providing an active birth experience that allows the mother to listen to her body and choose her position. This helps the mother feel stronger and more independent. It offers a more natural and traditional birth experience, and women may see it as an alternative to patriarchal medical systems. This perspective allows birth to be perceived as both a physical and spiritual experience of liberation.
The lithotomy position is commonly used in hospitals as it provides visual access and ease of intervention for the doctor or midwife. It allows for quick intervention in emergencies. However, it can narrow the pelvis, interfere with natural birth mechanisms, and prolong the labor process. It may also cause back pain and reduce blood circulation.
This position places the mother in a more passive role, which can make some women feel powerless or out of control. However, it is ideal for medical supervision and intervention, which can provide a sense of safety. It symbolizes the medicalization of birth and may lead to the perception of birth as a medical procedure. Viewing birth as a medical procedure distances it from its natural and organic nature. This position may lead to the woman being seen as a passive object, with her experience directed by medical personnel.
Both birth positions offer specific advantages and disadvantages. The squat position emphasizes the woman’s autonomy and empowerment during the birth process, while the lithotomy position provides a more suitable environment for medical interventions. The preference for one of these approaches varies depending on individual health needs, cultural values, and philosophical beliefs.
What is crucial is that every woman has the right to shape her birth experience in the way that suits her best. Health systems must be flexible and inclusive in supporting these choices to ensure that the birth experience is positive and safe for both mothers and babies. This diversity helps make birth practices more inclusive and person-centered, offering a broader perspective on women’s health.
Conclusion
Giving birth in a birth chair and squat position allows the mother to take an active role in the birth process, improving the birth experience. Research shows that births in the squat position increase pelvic opening, shorten labor time, and reduce the need for analgesia. Births using the squat position and the birth chair are typically reported to have low complication rates and high maternal satisfaction. However, these positions may not always be suitable for every situation, as risks may increase for women with pelvic anomalies or specific medical conditions.
For these practices to be more widely adopted, understanding cultural sensitivities, expanding educational programs, and adapting health policies to support these methods are essential. These approaches can pave the way for safer and more satisfying birth experiences worldwide.
Giving birth in the birth chair is not just about sitting to deliver. To experience this birth method and philosophy, which has been internalized and embraced by our team, you can contact our clinic through our communication numbers.
