Often a woman who's labour has not progressed and is feeling discouraged will request an epidural. Yet as soon as her epidural is in place, even before the medication has been administered, she is found to be completely dilating and wanting to push.

I truly feel it's the EPIDURAL POSITION that does the trick. Sitting in that curled up position on the edge of the bed for ten minutes or more puts baby's head right on the cervix and holds it there even better than gravity, causing quick dilation.

Now if my client is feeling that she cannot cope any longer and is considering an epidural, we will assume this position and so far it has worked almost every time! Only once has it not worked and baby was posterior, but turned shortly after her intrathecal was placed. Try it!

Thank you to Crystal Sada for this idea.

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