I've heard many accounts of women who've given birth in Bangalore who say that nurses and doctors in hospitals constantly ask them to lie in bed. This makes no sense! Especially when it's not to check the baby's heartbeat or to do a vaginal exam. I've never seen or even heard of a woman (who is not medicated for pain) want to be in bed. movement -- rocking, swaying, walking, squatting, etc. -- helps women cope with pain and uses gravity to encourage the descent of the baby.
here's a recent new york times article about how the hands-and-knees position helps ease delivery.
