Keep upright to reduce labour times

Midwives advocating active upright births are giving the best advice.

According to new research, the first stage of labour is significantly shorter for women who kneel, stand, walk around or sit upright rather than lying down.

Using data from 21 studies carried out since the 1960s, and involving 3,706 women, researchers found that the first stage of labour about was around an hour shorter for those who kept upright.