Pregnant woman practicing labor positions with support from a doula and partner in a hospital setting

Top 12 Doula-Recommended Birthing Positions for Hospital Births

TL;DR: Hospital Birthing Positions That Actually Work

✔️ All 12 positions work with hospital equipment (monitors, IVs, even epidurals)

✔️ Research-backed benefits: 1+ hour shorter labor, 29% fewer C-sections, 25% fewer assisted deliveries

✔️ Key positions: Walking, birthing ball, hands & knees, side-lying, supported squatting

✔️ Pro tip: Ask for equipment early, communicate your plan, change positions every 30 minutes

Want the complete list? Keep reading for all 12 positions plus expert tips for using them in hospital settings.

Published by Nurtured Nest • 8 min read

"Can I really move around with all these wires?" That's the question we hear most often from clients preparing for hospital births. The answer is almost always yes—and it can make a huge difference in how your labor unfolds.

After our team has supported hundreds of families through hospital births, we've seen how the right positioning can transform a labor experience. While every birth is unique, these 12 positions consistently help our clients feel more comfortable, stay in control, and work with their bodies instead of against them.

The best part? All of these work beautifully in hospital settings, even with continuous monitoring or IV lines.

Why Hospital Positioning Matters More Than You Think

Here's what we wish every expecting parent knew: hospitals aren't trying to keep you in bed, but they often don't proactively encourage movement either. When you walk in with a plan and clear communication about wanting to stay mobile, most nurses are incredibly supportive.

A recent client story: Maria was nervous about advocating for herself during her first birth. We practiced these positions during our prenatal meetings, and she packed the visual guide in her hospital bag. When active labor hit, she confidently asked her nurse for a birthing ball and spent most of her labor in upright positions. Her nurse later said, "I wish more patients came in this prepared!"

The research backs this up too. A Cochrane review of 25 studies involving over 5,000 women found that upright positions during the first stage of labor were associated with approximately one hour and 22 minutes shorter labor duration, compared to lying down.

The same research showed that upright positions were also associated with:

A 29% reduction in cesarean sections
A 19% decrease in epidural use
About 6 minutes shorter pushing stage (second stage of labor)
A 25% reduction in assisted deliveries (forceps or vacuum)

Source: Lawrence A, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Styles C. Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013

The 12 Game-Changing Positions

1. Walking and Swaying

The classic for good reason. Walking during early labor helps baby move down into your pelvis while giving you a sense of normalcy and control. Many of our clients find that gentle swaying during contractions feels more natural than standing still.

💡 Doula tip: Try walking the hospital corridors during early labor. The change of scenery can be mentally refreshing, and movement often helps contractions become more effective.

2. Birthing Ball Sitting

Sitting on a birthing ball allows for gentle bouncing and hip circles that can ease discomfort while opening your pelvis. Most hospitals have these available—just ask early!

💡 Doula tip: If the ball feels too high, ask for a smaller one or place a towel underneath for stability. Rock forward and back, side to side, or in figure-8 motions to find what feels best.

3. Hands and Knees

This position is magic for back labor. Being on all fours takes pressure off your spine and gives baby more room to rotate into an optimal position. Don't worry about how it looks—focus on how it feels.

💡 Doula tip: Place pillows under your knees and forearms for comfort. This position also works great on the hospital bed if you prefer not being on the floor.

4. Side-Lying with Support

Perfect when you need to rest but want to keep labor progressing. Lie on your left side with a pillow between your knees and another supporting your belly.

💡 Doula tip: This is often the most comfortable position for monitoring requirements or if you need IV medications. You can still do pelvic tilts and leg movements to stay active.

5. Standing Lean-Forward

Stand and lean forward against your partner, the bed rail, or wall during contractions. This uses gravity while giving you something stable to hold onto.

💡 Doula tip: Have your partner apply counter-pressure to your lower back while you're in this position. The combination of gravity and support can be incredibly powerful.

6. Supported Squatting

Use a squat bar (most hospital beds have them) or have your partner support you from behind. Squatting fully opens your pelvic outlet—ideal for pushing stage.

💡 Doula tip: Don't feel like you need to hold a squat through entire contractions. Squat during the peak and stand between contractions to rest.

7. Peanut Ball Positioning

If you have an epidural, a peanut ball between your legs while side-lying helps keep your pelvis asymmetrical and open. This can prevent labor from stalling.

💡 Doula tip: Switch sides every 30-45 minutes. Your nurse can help you reposition safely. This simple change can make a huge difference in epidural labors.

8. Toilet Sitting

We know it sounds basic, but sitting on the toilet naturally helps you relax your pelvic floor. Many women find it's one of the most comfortable places during transition.

💡 Doula tip: Don't be embarrassed about spending time here. The toilet is private, familiar, and designed for "letting go"—exactly what you need during labor.

9. Slow Dancing

Stand with your arms around your partner's neck and sway together. This position provides emotional support while using gravity to help baby descend.

💡 Doula tip: This is beautiful for partners who want to feel involved. Put on music if it helps you both relax and connect during this intense time.

10. Forward-Leaning Inversion

Kneel on the bed with your forearms down (like child's pose). This briefly inverted position can help if baby seems malpositioned or labor stalls.

💡 Doula tip: Only hold this for 30-60 seconds at a time, and only if your provider approves. It's not comfortable for long, but it can be very effective for encouraging baby to adjust position.

11. Semi-Sitting (Throne Position)

Upright in bed with the back raised and your knees apart. This gives you the benefits of gravity while keeping you supported—great for pushing.

💡 Doula tip: Use the bed's stirrups or have your partner hold one leg while you hold the other. This position often works well when continuous monitoring is required.

12. Tug-of-War

Hold a sheet or rope with your partner (or nurse) pulling gently in the opposite direction during pushing contractions. This gives you something to pull against for more effective pushing.

💡 Doula tip: This engages your whole body and can make pushing feel more powerful and effective. It's especially helpful if you have an epidural and can't feel the urge to push as clearly.

Real talk from our team: You don't need to use all 12 positions. Even trying 3-4 different options during your labor can make a significant difference. Listen to your body, and don't be afraid to change positions as often as you want. Movement is medicine during labor.

Making It Work with Hospital Protocols

The key to successful positioning in hospitals is communication and preparation. Here's what we tell all our clients:

"Walk in with a plan, but hold it lightly. Your nurse is your ally, not your obstacle. Most hospital staff appreciate when patients come prepared with specific requests rather than vague wishes to 'move around.'"

Timing matters: Ask for birthing balls, squat bars, and peanut balls as soon as you're settled in your room. Don't wait until active labor when everyone is busier.

Monitors can move: Wireless monitors are becoming more common, but even traditional monitors have long cords. Ask your nurse to help you work within the cord length.

IVs aren't anchors: IV poles have wheels for a reason. You can walk, stand, and move with IV fluids running.

Epidurals are different: Unlike IVs, epidurals can limit mobility since you may not be able to feel your legs safely. However, you still have options like side-lying with a peanut ball, supported sitting, and upper body positioning changes that can help labor progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really move around with fetal monitors and IVs?

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What if my doctor says I have to stay in bed?

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Which positions work best with an epidural?

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How often should I change positions during labor?

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Do I need to practice these positions beforehand?

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What if my hospital doesn't have birthing balls or other equipment?

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Can my partner help with positioning?

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What if I'm being induced or have complications?

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Will changing positions actually make my labor faster?

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What's the most important thing to remember about positioning?

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Still have questions? Our comprehensive birth course covers positioning in detail, plus everything else you need for a confident hospital birth.

Learn More About Our Course

Take These Positions With You

We created this printable guide because we got tired of our clients trying to remember position details during labor. Print it, pack it in your hospital bag, and share it with your partner.

Download the free visual guide here

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Let us paint you a picture of how this might unfold during your labor:

You arrive at the hospital in early labor and get settled. Instead of immediately getting into bed, you ask for a birthing ball and spend the first few hours sitting and swaying. When contractions intensify, you try the standing lean-forward position with your partner's support.

As you move into active labor, back pain increases, so you switch to hands and knees on the bed. This feels amazing for a while. When you need to rest, you move to side-lying with a pillow between your knees.

During transition, you find yourself gravitating toward the bathroom, sitting on the toilet between contractions. When it's time to push, you try the semi-sitting position first, then switch to supported squatting for the final pushes.

Notice how this birth story involves multiple position changes, working with hospital equipment, and adapting to what feels right in the moment? That's exactly how we hope your birth unfolds—flexible, informed, and empowered.

Your Birth, Your Choices

Remember, there's no "right" way to use these positions. Some women find their perfect position early and stick with it. Others change positions with every contraction. Both approaches are perfectly normal.

The goal isn't to impress anyone with your positioning skills—it's to help you feel more comfortable and in control during one of the most significant experiences of your life.

Trust your body, communicate your needs clearly, and don't be afraid to advocate for movement during your hospital birth. You've got this.

Get Your Complete Birth Plan Guide

Ready to put these positions into a comprehensive birth plan? Our free guide includes position preferences, pain management options, and communication templates for talking with your care team.

Get the Free Birth Plan Guide

Want to Feel This Prepared for Your Entire Birth Experience?

Knowing these positions is a great start, but birth preparation goes so much deeper. What about pain management options? Creating a birth plan that works? Understanding hospital procedures? Preparing for postpartum recovery?

If this kind of practical, real-world information resonates with you, our comprehensive birth course covers everything you need to feel confident and prepared—not just informed.

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Here's what makes Nurtured Nest different: we're not just birth educators—we're parents who've been exactly where you are.

A Message from Our Founder, Kathryn Dunn

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Every single educator on our team is also a parent. We've walked this path ourselves—the nerves, the excitement, the unknowns.

Here's the truth: We remember what it felt like to read birth stories at 2 AM, wondering if we'd know what to do when the time came. We remember the questions that kept us up at night and the moments when we felt completely overwhelmed by all the "what-ifs."

That's exactly why we do this work. We combine our professional training with our real-life parent experience to give you the kind of education we wish we'd had.

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