Direct guidance
What to know or do
Practise with support before labour, use a non-slip surface and keep feet stable. Ask for help if balance, pain, numbness, dizziness, bleeding, fluid loss or an individual restriction makes independent use unsafe.
What changes the answer
- Pregnancy history, current findings and the capabilities of the planned birth setting
- Consent, communication, pain relief, support, feeding and newborn-care preferences
- How an urgent change, caesarean birth, preterm birth or neonatal admission would be handled
Check with your care team
When to get individual help
Check the exact item or situation with a doctor, midwife, pharmacist or relevant clinician; the name of a broad category is not enough for a personal decision.