From The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence.

What to Know:

• Research shows that restricting movement reduces the effectiveness of contractions, prolongs labor, and increases Pitocin use.
• The WHO encourages freedom of position and movement and discourages the supine (back-lying) position during labor.
• The ACOG encourages women to change position often.

You’ll need to stay in bed or have help moving if:

• You’re having preterm labor.
• You have severe pregnancy-induced hypertension.
• You have epidural or spinal medication.
• You have narcotic medication through an IV.

How to Avoid Unnecessary Use:

• Discuss movement with your caregiver.
• Find out if your birth site restricts walking and movement during labor.
• Consider changing your birth site if it will restrict your movement.
• Labor at home as long as possible, walking and moving freely.
• Remember that walking, moving, and changing positions help your labor progress.

How to Keep Labor as Normal as Possible if Your Movement is Restricted:

• Labor at home as long as possible, walking, moving, and changing positions freely.
• Change positions often in bed:
• Move from side to side.
• Sit on the side of the bed.
• Kneel while leaning your head and shoulders against the raised head of the bed.
• Lie in different directions; for example, move your head to the foot of the bed.
• Squat while supported.
• Remember that the more you move, the more efficient your contractions will be.