ABSTRACT
Most modern obstetric suites provide labor delivery recovery rooms (LDRs) for the patient who is ready to deliver. is setting allows family-centered care and immediate infant bonding. In this setting spontaneous and instrumental vaginal deliveries can take place as allowed.1 Maternal delivery positions may include the dorsal lithotomy position, maternal squatting, and the mother on side or knee to chest position. If instrumental delivery is not anticipated, the mother may remain in any position she feels comfortable. Neither maternal nor fetal outcomes have been demonstrated to change when various positions in the second stage of labor have been compared.2 Stirrups can be used but are not required,3,4 but legs should never be xed into position as they may need to be released in the event that shoulder dystocia occurs. Care should be taken to avoid injury to maternal nerves. Draping of the perineum serves to protect both the mother and the operator from infection.
