Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

Background: A number of studies investigated the effects of maternal position in different stages of delivery. Some of these studies mentioned the effects of maternal position on pain and delivery’s outcome. This study aimed to compare effects of two sitting and supine positions on delivery’s outcome.

Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 56 pregnant women randomly allocated to two groups. Then both groups were asked to fill Berger Nervousness Measure and determine their pain using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Group A began with 30 min in the sitting position and group B began with 30 min supine position, followed by 30 min supine sitting position. Therefore maternal position in group A was sitting- supine- sitting- supine, and in group B was supine- sitting-supine sitting. Each 30 min period the woman asked to rate the labor pain using visual Analog scale (VAS). Data was analyzed using Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Variance Analysis.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between mean pain in sitting and supine position in all women. There were significant differences in satisfaction with labor experience and time to start  breastfeeding in two groups (p=0.001).

Conclusion: We conclude that a certain position can not provide less pain through the first Stage of labor. Therefore is no reason to discourage patients from adopting the position of their choice in labor. On the other hand, maternal position has positive impact on Satisfaction, earlier time to start breastfeeding, need for accelerating labor with oxitocin and cesarean  rate. So it is recommended to apply most convenient maternal status if there is no medical problem.