Introduction to Active Birth

Description:

A growing body of evidence points to the positive correlation between mobility and upright positions during labour, and increased positive childbirth experiences, perceptions of childbirth as less traumatic, and increased comfort levels. Building upon this evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international obstetric societies have released recommendations and guidelines explicitly stating that women should be encouraged to be mobile and adopt comfortable positions of their choice, including upright positions. However, the predominant labour and birth position used is still the supine position in most healthcare facilities across both private and public sectors. 1 Aastrika Foundation has developed a workshop on active birthing that focuses on the key role of prenatal exercises, optimal positions during labour and birth, the use of equipment such as gym and peanut balls, and the various non-pharmacological pain relief methods.

Target Audience:

ANMs, GNMs, Staff Nurses, Doctors and Students.

Methodologies Employed:

Didactic presentation, demonstration and hands-on training of prenatal exercises, optimal birthing positions, and non-pharmacological pain relief methods.

Training Outcome:

  1. Increases knowledge about prenatal exercises, and use of non-pharmacological pain relief methods during labour.
  2. Increases knowledge about supporting women in upright and optimal positions during labour and birth.
  3. Identify the woman’s birth choices and engage with them to demonstrate the positions during labour and birth.
  4. Implement safe and appropriate care and manage the second stage of labour and birth to promote physiological birth.

Duration:

6 to 7 hours

Trainer-Trainee Ratio:

1:5 to 1:10

  1. Borer, H., Dubovi, I. Fostering childbirth education on upright positions and mobility during labor in nulliparous women. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 870 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-06166-4 [↩]