Choice of delivery positions among multiparous women in Kano

Background: Confining women to hospital bed with limited power of movement and involvement of decision making during labor process and restricting them to supine position in second stage of labor might contribute significantly to aversion to hospital delivery. Objective: To determine the different delivery positions women take during home delivery. Method: This was a cross sectional survey among 285 multiparous women who had vaginal delivery of life singleton babies. They were interviewed using questionnaire at Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital Kano on choices of delivery position. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the state. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS Version 19. Qualitative data were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Chi (χ2) test was used for categorical data. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the respondents was 28.9 ± 7.12 years. Majority of the women that delivered at home assumed the squatting position for delivery (60%) and were mainly assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBA) (41.3%). Over 50% of those that delivered at home were instructed to take the position they delivered in by their assistants at delivery while those that chose their position by themselves did that because they felt more comfortable in that position (85%). Over 80% of those that were instructed to take a position at delivery did not ask their assistant the reason for advising on that position. There was statistically significant association between educational level and right to decide in which position to deliver the baby (χ2=28.517, P = 0.000). Conclusion: Squatting position was the most assumed position following home delivery. There was statistically significant association between educational level and right to decide in which position to deliver the baby.