Movement in labour helps baby find the optimal position for birth, encourages descent, reduces pain perception, opens the pelvis, increases oxytocin and helps you stay connected to your body’s instinctive rhythm. Changing positions regularly also helps contractions become more effective and supports a smoother labour flow. 

Upright positions, such as those that can be achieved with the Birth Sling (by Dr Jess Michaels), which also uses gravity to assist birth, has been shown to reduce the length of labour, decrease the rate of interventions and even decrease caesarean rates. The Birth Sling additionally assists the baby’s rotation and descent, and enhances cervical dilation. 

The Birth Sling supports you to use gentle instinctive rhythm to keep you connected to your body and move you through the stages of labour. It allows you to rest your body when needed, while remaining upright and using gentle movements. Additionally, the Birth Sling eases pressure on the lower back and pelvis, supports natural alignment, instinctive movement and physiological birth pathways. 

The Birth Sling easily anchors to a door frame, beam or branch (using corresponding anchors), but should not be used as a swing, nor should your full weight leave the ground. The Birth Sling total load bearing capacity is 250kg.