Labor pushing positions include side-lying, hands-and-knees, kneeling or leaning forward, supported upright or sitting, and squatting. The best fit depends on what feels comfortable and workable for you, along with your mobility, monitoring needs, and care plan.[1][2][3]
You do not have to settle on one position before labor. Think of these options as a short list to discuss with your care team: for example, you might prefer to lie on your side, or want to ask whether kneeling or sitting is possible in your birth setting. The goal here is to compare position choices—not cover when to push or how to push.
A quick map of the options
Side-lying gives you an option while lying down; hands-and-knees puts you on your hands and knees. Kneeling or leaning forward and supported upright or sitting are other choices, and squatting is another commonly named position.[1][2][3]
These labels are a starting point, not a promise that every option will be available or feel right for you. A position that sounds appealing may not be workable with your movement, the monitoring you need, or the care plan in place. You can keep more than one option in mind rather than choosing a single position now.
What can shape your choice
Comfort is personal, and what feels manageable can change during labor. Tell your care team which positions you are interested in, then ask what they can support given your mobility and monitoring needs. Those practical considerations, along with your care plan, can shape which positions are workable for you.[1][2]
For example, if you are curious about both side-lying and squatting, you can ask whether each is an option in your birth setting. You do not need to treat your first preference as a fixed decision; focus on choices you can discuss and adapt with your team. For more detail, see The Truth About C-Section Delivery and Recovery.
How do the main pushing positions compare?
The main differences among labor pushing positions are how you’re supported and where you can lean—not a guaranteed birth outcome.
Position | Practical setup or support | What the comparison highlights |
|---|---|---|
Side-lying | Lie on your side; ask for help arranging support so you can stay comfortable. | A supported position to compare with more upright options. |
Hands-and-knees | Get onto your hands and knees, using the bed for support if helpful. | A forward-facing position. |
Kneeling or leaning forward | Kneel on the bed and lean over its raised head; lowering the foot of the bed may help set this up. [4] | Combines kneeling with a forward lean. |
Sitting or supported upright | Sit or stay upright with support from the bed or a pushing bar if available. [2] | Keeps you more upright than side-lying. |
Squatting | Squat with support from a person or equipment if available. | A lower position that may need help to hold. |
These options differ in the support and equipment they may use: for example, a bed can support a forward lean, while a pushing bar is listed as an option for pushing. [4][2] You can ask your care team which setups are workable for you, since available equipment, your mobility, and the team’s guidance can affect your choices. Positions are options to consider, not promises about how birth will go.
When might side-lying or hands-and-knees feel workable?
Side-lying or hands-and-knees may feel workable when you can settle into the support and adjust as needed. You can discuss side-lying with your care team if a supported position sounds preferable; Lamaze International recommends side-lying among the positions to consider for birth. [1]
Side-lying with support
In side-lying, you rest on your side rather than holding yourself upright. If that feels more manageable, ask your care team whether you can try it and what support they can offer. A pillow or another comfortable support may help you settle, but adjust it or your position if you feel strained.
You do not have to decide in advance that side-lying will work for the whole time. Try it briefly and notice whether you can relax into it or whether it feels awkward. If it is uncomfortable or hard to maintain, ask about adjusting or trying another position.
Hands-and-knees with a forward lean
Hands-and-knees gives you a forward-leaning option to discuss with your care team. You may be able to rest your upper body against the bed or pillows for support; choose a setup that feels steady rather than forcing yourself to hold a position that is tiring.
You can test the position for a short while, then check in with how your arms, knees, and back feel. If it becomes uncomfortable or difficult to maintain, shift your weight, change the support, or ask whether another position is workable. Your comfort can guide whether you continue or adjust.
A small trial can make the choice feel less all-or-nothing: try settling on your side, or lean forward on hands and knees, then tell your care team what feels easier to support. The practical goal is a position you can manage in the moment, not staying in one position despite discomfort.
What should you know about upright, kneeling, and squatting positions?
Sitting, kneeling, and squatting are all options you can ask about for pushing, but no single position is right for everyone. [2][5] What feels manageable may depend on your energy and the support you have nearby, so think of these as choices to explore rather than positions you have to hold for the whole time.
Sitting with support
A bed can give you a stable place to sit or lean against as you push. [6] If a pushing bar is available, ask how it can be positioned for you to hold or brace against. [2] You might also lean on a support person, if that feels comfortable and works in your birth setting. Use what feels steady; you do not need to force yourself into an upright posture if it is tiring.
Kneeling or squatting
Kneeling can be paired with leaning forward over the raised head of a bed, giving you a surface to rest against. [4] A bed or a person may offer a place to lean when available, and you can ask your care team what setup they can provide. Squatting is another option to discuss; the practical support you can use may vary with the room and equipment. [2]
These positions are not a test of strength or endurance. You can ask for help setting up, and tell your care team if you are uncomfortable or need a different support. A position that works for one person may not feel right for you, and you do not have to treat any one option as the safest or most effective choice. Consider what you can comfortably maintain with the support available, then work with your team on what is workable in the moment.
How can you choose and change positions during pushing?
Ask your care team what position changes are workable for you during pushing, and let them know when your needs shift. You do not have to treat an earlier preference as a commitment; you can ask whether another position is possible when it feels uncomfortable or tiring.
Before labor, ask what support your birth setting can provide. For example, you might ask whether staff can help you adjust your position or whether equipment such as a pushing bar is available. The options may differ by setting, so make the question specific to where you plan to give birth. [2]
During pushing, be direct if a position causes discomfort, leaves you tired, or feels hard to hold. You could say, “I’m getting tired here—can we try a change?” or “This position is uncomfortable; what can I adjust?” This gives your team a chance to discuss what support or alternatives may work for you.
Ask how monitoring and your individual care needs may affect your choices. For instance, if you are unsure whether you can move or change position while being monitored, ask the team what is manageable in your situation. Your care team can help you weigh what feels workable alongside the care you need.
Changing positions is something you can bring up during pushing; a labor-position resource recommends changing pushing positions at least every 15 minutes. [7] You can ask whether a change makes sense for you at that moment, rather than trying to follow a schedule on your own. Keep the conversation open: your comfort, ability to maintain a position, and care needs may change as labor progresses.
What questions should you ask before labor?
Which positions can I use in my birth setting?
Ask your care team which labor pushing positions are supported where you plan to give birth. You might ask whether the bed can be adjusted for a forward-leaning position, or whether options such as a pushing bar, side-lying, or squatting are available. [4][2]
Try to get a specific answer rather than assuming every position is possible in every room. For example, ask what equipment is on hand and whether staff can help you get into a position you want to try.
What if I can’t move easily or need extra support?
Ask what alternatives and hands-on help are available if moving or holding a position feels difficult. You can ask who can support you, what you might lean on, and whether the team can help you change position if you get tired.
A useful example is: “If I need to stay close to the bed, what positions could I try, and what support would be available?” Your care team can talk through options that fit your needs and the setting.
How will the team help me adjust during pushing?
Ask how to signal that you want help changing position and who will assist. You might also ask whether someone can help you settle into a position or adjust your support while you push.
You could say, “If this position stops feeling workable, can you help me try another one?” Talking through that plan ahead of time can make it easier to ask for practical support in the moment.
Can I ask to change positions?
Yes—ask your care team how position changes will be handled during pushing. You can discuss your preferences before labor and ask what help is available if you want to adjust; the team can explain what is workable in your situation.
Choose the position that works for you in the moment
There is no single pushing position that works for everyone, so treat your preference as a starting point rather than a fixed plan. Several positions may be options during labor, and what feels workable can change as the moment unfolds. [3]
If you have a position in mind, share it with your care team before labor. You can also ask your partner or another support person to remember that preference, so you do not have to explain it from scratch when you are focused on labor. Learning about possible options ahead of time can help you feel prepared to talk them through. [1]
Keep room for a change of plan. You might picture pushing in one position, then find that another feels more manageable or is easier for your team to support at that moment. That does not mean you chose poorly; it means you are responding to what is happening and working with the people caring for you. [2]
A simple preference can be enough: “I’d like to try a position that feels comfortable, and I’m open to adjusting.” If you are unsure what feels right, tell the team and ask for help considering the options available then. Your choice does not need to be decided in advance or held to if it stops feeling workable.
The practical takeaway is to choose a position that feels workable and can be supported in the moment. Before labor, talk through your preferences with your care team; during labor, stay open to adapting together.