Knowledge, attitude and practices of upright birthing positions in women from semi-urban and rural areas of Raigad district, Maharashtra: a cross-sectional study

Prerna Kokane; Bela Agrawal; Ramandeep Kaur Saini; Madhulika Singh; Ishika Rakesh Kohli; Snehal Pawar; Anushka Govardhan Koli; Lata Kumari; Sushil Kumar; Esakidas Konar

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263197

Authors

Prerna Kokane MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Bela Agrawal MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Ramandeep Kaur Saini MGM School of Physiotherapy, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Madhulika Singh MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Ishika Rakesh Kohli MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Snehal Pawar MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Anushka Govardhan Koli MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Lata Kumari MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Sushil Kumar Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Esakidas Konar MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263197

Keywords:

Birthing position, Labour outcomes, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Upright posture

Abstract

Background: Maternal-mobility and choice of birthing-position are important components of respectful maternity-care that influence labor-experience and birth-outcomes. Despite growing evidence supporting the use of upright-birthing positions, gap exists about women’s awareness and actual use of different-positions during childbirth. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to birthing-positions among women of Raigad-district, Maharashtra.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional-study was conducted among 786 women aged 15-49 years from rural and semi-urban-areas. Data were collected using validated-structured-questionnaire. A standardized-information-booklet containing pictorial-representations of various birthing-positions was used solely to facilitate uniform identification of positions during interviews. Descriptive-statistics were used to summarize participant’s knowledge, perceptions and reported practices.

Results: Awareness of both upright and horizontal birthing-positions was reported by 91% of women in semi-urban areas and 67% of women in rural-areas. However, participants across both settings indicated that they were not offered a choice of birthing-position during labour. During first-stage of labour, dorsal-supine-position was most commonly reported in semi-urban (49%) and rural (32%) women. In the second stage, dorsal-supine remained the predominant-position reported by 54% of semi-urban and 60% of rural-participants. Squatting was the most frequently reported upright-position during second-stage (19% semi-urban and 35% rural women). Dorsal-supine, lithotomy and squatting-positions were commonly perceived as safe-options for childbirth.

Conclusions: Although knowledge of various birthing positions was relatively high, women reported limited-autonomy in choosing their preferred-position during labour. The findings highlight a gap between awareness and practice hence emphasize the need for greater promotion of informed-choice, provider-education and woman-centred maternity care to support the safe use of multiple-birthing positions.

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