COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN UPRIGHT AND LYING DOWN POSITION DURING -A STEP TOWARDS RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE.

Background: Women are gives birth usually on bed in recumbent positions. in healthcare facilities, Having choices and being involved in decision making contributes to women’s positive childbirth experiences. During a physiological birth, women’s preferences can play a leading role in the choice of birthing positions. Objectives: The present prospective clinical study was aimed to comparatively evaluate the differences in the upright and lying down position during childbirth. The study also aimed to study maternal outcome in upright and recumbent position, to study perinatal outcome with respect to APGAR score, need for mechanical ventilation, and to compare the upright positions with traditional position. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted. Participants were counseled about positions and companion. Women were assigned to their willing positions. Main outcome variables measured are the duration of second, third stages of labor and amount of blood loss, spontaneous or operative vaginal delivery, perineal trauma and need for episiotomy, maternal satisfaction, need of LSCS, and fetal outcome. Results: The analysis showed that non-supine position had lower rates of caesarean section. Duration of first and second stage of labor was shorter in non-supine position. Patient satisfaction in terms of reported discomfort is more in non-supine positions. Postpartum hemorrhage, perineal trauma and need of episiotomy were less in non-supine position. Conclusion: Based on this study, we recommend that women in low-risk labor should be informed of the benefits of upright positions, and encouraged and assisted to assume upright positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]