University of Coimbra Study Finds Informed Women Prefer Mobility in Labor

A four‑year research project led by Marlene Lopes, a lecturer in Maternal and Obstetric Nursing at the University of Coimbra, examined how information and empowerment affect pregnant women's choices during labour. After initially recruiting more than 200 low‑risk, nulliparous women, the final analysis focused on a sample of 30 participants who gave birth in four community care units in the central region of Portugal – Ílhavo, Mealhada, Marinha Grande and Porto de Mós.

The nursing intervention aimed to enable women to understand the benefits of mobility and vertical positions (walking, standing, sitting, kneeling or squatting) and to make informed decisions throughout the dilation phase. Ninety percent of the women reported moving during labour, yet 52 % said their mobility decreased after entering the delivery room, highlighting the influence of clinical environments and professional practices. Qualitative interviews with eight women revealed that six were able to maintain movement, influencing decisions such as the timing of transfer to the delivery suite, choice of analgesia and preferred positions.

The study concludes that when adequately informed and empowered, women prefer greater mobility and vertical positions during labour, but actual practice is often constrained by hospital settings and professional routines.