The squat bar can be an awesome tool to use when you are pushing your baby into this world. But it can be very confusing as to how to use it…and feel strange. I will try to give you a feel for it with the pictures and comments below. Unfortunately, it is rare to have an opportunity to actually practice with a bar.

 This is how the bar and the bed are positioned. You sit right on edge of raised portion until a contraction comes. Then with a contraction, you squat so your bottom is not touching bed, and you push.

Pushing like this at first can feel a little insecure because all of your weight is on that lowered portion of the bed. It will help you to know that your support person is right there with you.
It may also help to have entire bed lower to the ground so you do not feel like you might fall off a cliff.

Note how the bar is tilted towards the foot of the bed and all of your weight is on lowered portion.

 

Between contractions, you can try to rest the weight of your body back onto the higher portion of the bed.

 

Then, with a contraction go into a deep squat, supporting yourself with the bar.

Remember, your support people are right there for you and will help steady you. And having the entire bed lower to the floor will also help you to feel more secure in this position. Everyone else will accommodate your position.

This is an awesome way to use the squat bar and “tug-of-war” position. Please note how she is not on her bottom; how she is really in a squat but on her side. Very useful with an epidural. “Tug-of-war” position is usually used for pushing; not labor.

I’m not sure about this kind of position because while it simulates a squat, it leaves her sitting on her butt. It does, however, allow for that “tug-of-war” position.

This position allows you to be asymmetrical while being able to take some weight off of the lower body by leaning on the bar. If possible, spread your legs as wide as you can.

 

Most of these positions can also be good for labor. It is considered best to use the bar for a deep squat during a contraction. Sit back and rest in between. You want to be sure that when you are in that deep squat, you are NOT PUSHING until your cervix is ready.

If your hospital does not have squat bars…start asking for them. This is how change can occur!