If You Have an Epidural: How to Keep Your Body and Labor Moving

Positions to Try With an Epidural

One of the Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices encourages you to walk, move around, and change positions throughout labor. While an epidural may limit some types of movement, there are many options still available.

Changing positions regularly can help you stay more comfortable, reduce pressure on your body, and support your baby's journey through the pelvis. Even small movements and position changes can make a difference.

Your nurse, midwife, doctor, partner, or doula can help you find positions that are safe, comfortable, and appropriate for your labor.

Side-Lying

Lying on your side with pillows between your knees can be a comfortable position that promotes rest while helping create more space in the pelvis.

Side-Lying With a Peanut Ball

A peanut-shaped exercise ball placed between your legs can help keep the pelvis open while you rest. Many hospitals now offer peanut balls for people laboring with epidurals, making this a simple and effective option to discuss with your care team.

Supported Sitting

Sitting upright in bed may feel more comfortable than lying flat and allows gravity to continue working with your labor.

Hands-and-Knees in Bed

Some birthing people can safely move into a hands-and-knees position on the bed with assistance. This position may help relieve back discomfort and encourage your baby to rotate into a more favorable position for birth.

Frequent Side-to-Side Changes

Even simple position changes every 30 to 60 minutes can help reduce pressure, improve comfort, promote circulation, and support labor progress.

Make a Plan Before Labor

Every hospital and birth center has its own policies, equipment, and approaches to labor mobility. If maintaining movement and changing positions during labor is important to you, consider having a conversation with your healthcare provider before labor begins.

Questions you may want to ask include:

• What positions can I try if I choose an epidural?
• Can I use a peanut ball during labor?
• Can I sit upright or change sides regularly?
• What movement options are available after an epidural is placed?
• Do you offer wireless fetal monitoring?

Understanding your options ahead of time can help you feel more informed, confident, and prepared when labor begins.

Published: June 10, 2026

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