1.1. BACKGROUND
Birthing is the action or a process whereby a pregnant woman brings a newborn into the world. This is the crucial time a woman needs support and encouragement. When the laboring woman is attended by a skilled and competent health care provider particularly the midwife this builds woman 's confidence. The midwife monitors a foetal condition, labour progress, and maternal condition. If labour progress is good, the maternal condition is fine and foetal condition is okay this predicts a good outcome for both the baby and the mother. During labor, a woman is supposed to be in an upright position as it is advantages compared to supine position. (Lawrence et al.,2009; 2012; Cooper, 2011; Chalmers et al., 2012) . During the first stage …show more content…
Tanzania succeeded to meet MDG 4 (TDHS, 2010). But it has shown less progress in achieving MDG 5(Tanzania MOHSW, 2014). So if labour progresses well, hopefully, the maternal and foetal outcome will be good. Women birthing position if will be given priority especially positions which have positive labour outcome, it will lead to a reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality rates. This will give the way forward in achieving MDGs 5.
Birthing positions
There are various positions that could be assumed by women during labour and birth. These include; lithotomy, supine, hands and knees, and lateral position. Furthermore, there is upright position which includes sitting, squatting, and standing, kneeling and walking (WHO 1996; Lavender and Mlay, 2006; Searle 2010; Jane Letushko 2011; RCM 2012)
Lithotomy/Supine position
This is a position whereby the woman lies on her back while her knees flexed, legs are apart either supported or not (WHO 1996). It has come into being a common position of giving birth to women with the emergence of western culture (Mary Steen and Jo ANKER, 2008; Difranco, 2008; Thies-lagergren, 2013). This is the common position favored by midwives and obstetricians. They like it because it is easier for them when providing care to mothers. Even though it is used most common in the developed and developing countries, it has been reported to have the poor outcome to the mother,
Birthing is the action or a process whereby a pregnant woman brings a newborn into the world. This is the crucial time a woman needs support and encouragement. When the laboring woman is attended by a skilled and competent health care provider particularly the midwife this builds woman 's confidence. The midwife monitors a foetal condition, labour progress, and maternal condition. If labour progress is good, the maternal condition is fine and foetal condition is okay this predicts a good outcome for both the baby and the mother. During labor, a woman is supposed to be in an upright position as it is advantages compared to supine position. (Lawrence et al.,2009; 2012; Cooper, 2011; Chalmers et al., 2012) . During the first stage …show more content…
Tanzania succeeded to meet MDG 4 (TDHS, 2010). But it has shown less progress in achieving MDG 5(Tanzania MOHSW, 2014). So if labour progresses well, hopefully, the maternal and foetal outcome will be good. Women birthing position if will be given priority especially positions which have positive labour outcome, it will lead to a reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality rates. This will give the way forward in achieving MDGs 5.
Birthing positions
There are various positions that could be assumed by women during labour and birth. These include; lithotomy, supine, hands and knees, and lateral position. Furthermore, there is upright position which includes sitting, squatting, and standing, kneeling and walking (WHO 1996; Lavender and Mlay, 2006; Searle 2010; Jane Letushko 2011; RCM 2012)
Lithotomy/Supine position
This is a position whereby the woman lies on her back while her knees flexed, legs are apart either supported or not (WHO 1996). It has come into being a common position of giving birth to women with the emergence of western culture (Mary Steen and Jo ANKER, 2008; Difranco, 2008; Thies-lagergren, 2013). This is the common position favored by midwives and obstetricians. They like it because it is easier for them when providing care to mothers. Even though it is used most common in the developed and developing countries, it has been reported to have the poor outcome to the mother,