title: Randomised trial comparing the upright and supine positions for the second stage of labour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the maternal and neonatal effects of upright compared with recumbent positions during delivery, in terms of defined outcome variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  St Monica's Nursing Home, a midwife based maternity unit in Cape Town, South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred and seventeen women of low obstetrical risk assigned to deliver at the nursing home.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The trial showed that women who adopted the upright posture for delivery experienced less pain. perineal trauma and fewer episiotomies than those who delivered in the supine position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest that in women of low obstetrical risk, choice of posture during delivery may be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Johanson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baxen
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Adrians
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van der Westhuisen
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004841:Episiotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome