A new analysis of 15 studies involving more than 5,400 women suggests that staying upright or moving around during labor, even with an epidural, may help speed things up. Women who were upright or active had a shorter first stage of labor by a moderate amount and an even shorter second stage. They also had a lower chance of needing a C-section or an assisted vaginal birth when combining upright and bed activities.
However, the findings come with a caution. When researchers looked only at upright activities (like walking or standing), the risk of assisted vaginal birth increased slightly. This means the type of activity matters, and the results should be interpreted carefully.
The studies varied in how they defined and measured activity, so more research is needed to standardize recommendations. The analysis did not report on safety concerns beyond the noted increase in assisted births.
For now, the evidence supports offering women with epidurals the option to move or change positions during labor, but the choice should be individualized. Always discuss your birth plan with your healthcare provider.
