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To give yourself a rest in the first stage of labor, lie on your side. Keep one or both knees bent. Place a pillow between your knees for comfort. You might also wedge a pillow under your belly.
Remember, there's no perfect position for labor. Try a variety of positions. Discuss your preferences with your health care provider ahead of time — but be flexible. You might need to experiment during labor to find the most effective positions.
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