- The woman perceives her pain to be more tolerable, which assists with her ability to cope
- Less requirement for analgesic medication
- Effects on the reticular activating system in the brain result in a more alert, less fatigued woman
- The woman can focus well and maintain eye contact with her partner and attendants
- Relaxation between contractions is easier, as positional uterine strain on the lower back is avoided
- Lower levels of stress, fear, tension and pain have a synergistic effect on oxytocin release, resulting in powerful, well-coordinated and efficient uterine contractions
- After rupture of the membranes, there is a lower risk of infection, as amniotic fluid can drain away freely, flushing out potentially harmful bacteria
- Uterine pressure on the diaphragm is reduced, permitting deeper breathing, increased intrathoracic gas volumes and optimal placental oxygenation
- There is less uterine pressure on major blood vessels, reducing the risk of hypotension and vena cava syndrome with associated fetal distress
- Improved maternal and fetal circulation: oxygen, oxytocin and nutrients, as well as the woman’s natural pain relief (endorphins), can flow unimpeded
- Being mobile means that the mother assists the baby with rotation and descent through her pelvis
- Good alignment of baby’s longitudinal axis with the birth passage reduces muscular resistance and enhances flexion and rotation of baby’s head
- Cervical opening progresses steadily
- Optimal stretching and relaxing of pelvic floor muscles in second stage
- Gravity assists the baby’s descent down the birth passage, so less effort is required for bearing down
- Closer proximity of ribcage and pelvis means less effort to engage abdominal musculature during bearing-down
- Positive intra-abdominal pressure acts as torso-pelvic stabiliser, reducing the risk of Baastrup Syndrome
- Effective uptake of anterior vaginal wall during descent of the presenting part
- Pressure on the perineum is felt more acutely, resulting in an improved bearing-down effort (the woman feels where to direct her energies)
- Risk of episiotomy and tearing is reduced
- Shorter, more efficient labours
- Improved Apgar scores
- The woman feels in control, connected with the process of birthing: she can breathe her baby out and lift it up herself
- Mother–child bond is enhanced through immediate visual and tactile contact
- Prompt suckling assisting both mother and baby with the release of oxytocin — important for placental separation and the ability to “love”
