There is clear and important evidence that walking and upright positions in the first stage of labour reduces the duration of labour,
the risk of caesarean birth, the need for epidural, and does not seem to be associated with increased intervention or negative effects on
mothers’ and babies’ well being. Given the great heterogeneity and high performance bias of study situations, better quality trials are
still required to confirm with any confidence the true risks and benefits of upright and mobile positions compared with recumbent
positions for all women. Based on the current findings, we recommend that women in low-risk labour should be informed of the
benefits of upright positions, and encouraged and assisted to assume whatever positions they choose.