ABSTRACT
It is generally accepted that the woman should choose the position that she feels is the most comfortable for the first stage of labour and, especially in the early part, should be encouraged to walk around. Although there are no definite advantages of any one position for labour, there are serious disadvantages in the patient lying flat on her back, as this is likely to disrupt the blood supply to the uterus and so reduce fetal oxygenation. Walking around (mobilisation) has the disadvantage that continuous fetal monitoring is not possible; however, in many units, an admission CTG trace is performed and, providing this is satisfactory, a period of mobilisation, with intermittent auscultation, is encouraged.
