Biomaterial Database

Maternal position during labor and birth: a reassessment. 1980

S R McKay

The traditional dorsal position for labor and birth is a relatively recent innovation, and distinct disadvantages have been cited. The lateral position and the upright position have been found to improve the quality of uterine contractions. The upright position, in addition, appears to result in shorter, more comfortable labors than the other positions. Women need to be educated as to the benefits of alternative positions and mobility and should be assisted to assume these more physiological postures during parturition.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007743	Labor, Obstetric	The repetitive uterine contraction during childbirth which is associated with the progressive dilation of the uterine cervix (CERVIX UTERI). Successful labor results in the expulsion of the FETUS and PLACENTA. Obstetric labor can be spontaneous or induced (LABOR, INDUCED).	Obstetric Labor
D008991	Monitoring, Physiologic	The continuous measurement of physiological processes, blood pressure, heart rate, renal output, reflexes, respiration, etc., in a patient or experimental animal; includes pharmacologic monitoring, the measurement of administered drugs or their metabolites in the blood, tissues, or urine.	Patient Monitoring,Monitoring, Physiological,Physiologic Monitoring,Monitoring, Patient,Physiological Monitoring
D011187	Posture	The position or physical attitude of the body.	Postures
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013686	Telemetry	Transmission of the readings of instruments to a remote location by means of wires, radio waves, or other means. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Telemetries
D036861	Delivery, Obstetric	Delivery of the FETUS and PLACENTA under the care of an obstetrician or a health worker. Obstetric deliveries may involve physical, psychological, medical, or surgical interventions.	Obstetric Delivery,Deliveries, Obstetric,Obstetric Deliveries