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To give yourself a rest and ease pain late in the first stage of labor, lie on your side. Place pillows between your knees for comfort. Lying on your left side maximizes blood flow to your uterus and baby.
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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