Background: The birth of the baby is an exceptional experience for the mother and the whole
family. It is crucial that the women's opinions during maternity care are valued, especially during
labor or childbirth, is a crucial factor inproviding respectful maternity care. Aims: This study aims
to identify barriers to adapting an upright position during the second stage of labor in Madinah and
what are the strategies necessary to overcome these barriers. Methods: A qualitative study was
performed at Maternity and Children Hospital,Madinah (MMCH), Saudi Aribia, The study sample
consisted of a non- probability convenience sampling of 18 health care clinicians. Data collection
was done through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the consenting healthcare providers.
Results: The following core themes emerged: policy, safest way, doctors setthe rules, midwives'
hesitancy to
assume responsibility, uncooperative, uninformed women, and the way forward.
Conclusion:
This study concludes that irrespective of all the evidence supporting the upright
position in the second stage of labor, many healthcare providers continue to practice the lithotomy
position in accordance with the cultural and routine norms. Many healthcare providers prefer the
lithotomy position for their own convenience, disregarding other
birth positions as well as the
women's preferences and desires.