There are several articles below for pregnant women, beginning with:
Women in labor may feel less pain on hands, knees
By Eric Nagourney | New York Times News Service
October 23, 2007
Women who go onto their hands and knees while in labor may be able to reduce the pain of childbirth, researchers say.
Midwives often recommend the position in the belief it makes deliveries less painful and faster by encouraging the baby to shift into the best position.
The researchers, writing in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, said there was good evidence for the first proposition but not for the second.
The study also found no support for the recommendation that toward the end of pregnancy, women go onto their hands and knees for 10 minutes, twice a day, to help the baby get into position.