Do you have a Labor Positions Chart in your Doula Bag?
Written for Premier Birth Tools by Missy David
Birth or Labor Doulas offer non-medical continuous support to women before, during and just after birth, which includes assistance with labor positions. Included in this support is emotional, informational and physical support. What exactly does physical support mean? They physical support of a doula can mean several things, for example:
- Holding a hand
- Offering counter pressure on an aching back
- Massage to relieve muscle tension
- Suggestions for position changes to bring comfort and progress labor
- Physical assistance in achieving the position changes
What are Labor Positions?
Labor positions are physical positions a woman can assume while laboring for the birth of her child. Many women will intuitively move, walk, sway, squat and assume a variety of positions, which feel natural and offer comfort during the intense time of labor. Sometimes, laboring mothers and their partners may run out of ideas or not know what to do for a particular ache or pain, or to help move things along when labor slows unexpectedly. Doulas help by offering suggestions from their knowledge and experience, and with the help of a labor positions chart, they can be of great assistance to the laboring woman or couple.
Some examples of labor positions are:
- Standing
- Leaning over
- Hands and Knees
- “Texas Roll”
- Tailor Sitting
- Kneeling
- Lunging
Visual Aids to Show Labor Positions
There’s a reason why many doulas where comfortable clothing to births! Doulas often must crawl, climb and squat to accompany a woman in her many movements during the labor process. She also often needs to demonstrate positions she is suggesting. Visual aids are an immense benefit in this highly emotional situation, where the laboring mother is often tired and has difficulty listening to lengthy descriptions. A doula that is armed with teaching tools like Premier Birth Tools’ Labor Positions Charts is equipped for success in supporting her client! We have many visual aids, including:
- Labor Positions Chart – These include 6 illustrated, laminated positions charts for labor with over 200 positions.
- Peanut Ball Positions Chart – Includes 22 pictures representing 7 different positions using the peanut ball for labor
- Rebozo Positions Chart – These include 45 pictures representing 26 different positions using the rebozo. These demonstrate positions for pregnancy, labor, pushing, and postpartum.
- Birthing Ball Positions Chart – These include 25 pictures representing 12 different positions using the birth ball. These demonstrate positions for pregnancy, labor and pushing.
- Positions for Asymmetric or OP (Occiput Posterior) Chart – This chart Includes 43 pictures representing 22 different asymmetric positions for OP and acyclintic babies.
- Sheets for Position Chart – This includes 21 pictures representing 5 different positions using a sheet. This chart includes the newest technique using a sheet, the Lugrand Sheet Pull.
- Labor/Pushing Positions Chart – This chart includes 44 pictures representing 19 different positions for labor and pushing.
Benefits of Using Labor Positions Charts
Doulas, childbirth educators and nurses can all benefit from the Labor Positions Charts. These can be helpful for the following situations:
- Prenatal appointments with doula clients
- Visual aide during labor to show to birth partner, supporting family or friends, nurses and laboring mother
- Childbirth classes
Peanut Ball Position Cards, Step-by-Step
In adittion, to Position Charts that shows the client the position. Premier Birth Tools also has a step-by-step guide to do each position with Peanut Ball Position Cards.
These feature full-color images, step-by-step instructions, and benefits for each position, with reference page numbers from The Peanut Ball book.
Choose from the Basic (22 cards), Advanced (34 cards), or Premium (60 cards) packages to enhance your educational materials and in-service training package.
This is available as a download.
Perfect for the Labor and Delivery unit or your doula bag.
The Peanut Ball Book, Instructs
Although visual aids are fantasic to show the client the position. You need instructions how to do the position as their guide. The Peanut Ball book will teach you so much.
Learn more in the book called, The Peanut Ball: Basic and Advanced Techniques for Use During Labor and Delivery that is also available on Amazon and our website.
Includes instructions to guide you on 50 positions, 17 chapters, 224 pages and over 200 pictures. In The Peanut Ball book, you will:
- Learn how to correctly size peanut balls for your client.
- Learn new peanut ball positions, correct knee placement with internal and external rotation of femur and which position to use if baby is in the inlet, midpelvis or outlet.
Where to find Labor Positions Charts
Premier Birth Tools offers a wide array of exceptional, professional items for doulas, nurses, childbirth educators, midwives and doctors to educate laboring mothers and other professionals and to do their jobs more effectively. Visit the Premier Birth Tools Store for Labor Positions Charts and much more!
Premier Birth Tools has all Your Peanut Ball Products
We have everything you need to purchase and use peanut balls effectively:
- Peanut Ball Size Charts – shows correct sizing of clients
- Peanut Balls – all sizes available
- Peanut Ball In-Service Packages – shows correct peanut ball information for nurses and doulas
Don’t forget to get your FREE 16-page PDF packet for doulas and nurses on peanut ball information by completing this contact form! Or purchase in the store Peanut Ball Nurse Packet – Premier Birth Tools
Birth Professionals, Nurses, doulas and childbirth educators will benefit from these trusted tools . Also check out our store as we have additional educational items and doula items Products Archive – Premier Birth Tools