Studies have shown that upright labour positions are associated with a reduced second stage, fewer episiotomies or instrumental intervention in contrast to mothers labouring on their backs.
Many women also feel empowered in an upright position, and experience a sense of control over their labour.
On land women need to contend with the force of gravity that limits their ability to assume upright postures especially as labour progresses and they feel tired.
Many women do not have the fitness or stamina to maintain upright postures for lengths of time.
The transition from the land to water helps revive and energise the mother giving her a new lease on life and sense of purpose.
The buoyancy of water supports the mother reducing her relative weight by approx. 33% (Archimedes Principle) allowing her to easily explore the full range of beneficial upright positions in comfort and move in ways that were not possible on land.
The space, depth and design features of Active Birth Pools allow women to move freely to find and be supported in the upright positions that are most comfortable and beneficial for a physiological labour to unfold.
