The interest in the evaluation of the various positions adopted during labor and delivery with
respect to pain relief and comfort for women, in addition to better outcomes, have yet to be
fully clarified and there is thus as yet no consensus with regard to the optimal position to be
adopted . The aim of this study was to compare the effect of maternal semi-sitting and dorsal
recumbent versus lithotomy positions on labor outcome and women satisfaction. A quasiexperimental
design was adopted in this study. Setting: the study was carried out in the labor
ward of the General Hospital and the Health Insurance Hospital in Beni Suef Governorate.
The sample: eighty parturient women were recruited in each of the three labor positions:
semi-sitting (SS), dorsal recumbent (DR), and lithotomy (LI) positions. Tools of data
collection were; a structured interview schedule, an assessment checklist, and a satisfaction
sheet. Results: revealed that women in the SS group had significantly lower rates of
episiotomy, labial injury, vaginal edema, perineal lacerations, and postpartum hemorrhage
(p=0.001). Their newborns had the highest Apgar scores at the first and fifth minutes, and
none of them had fetal complications (p<0.001). Most (88.8%) women in the SS group were
satisfied with the position, had less problems, preferred to assume this position in the next
labor, and will recommend the position to others (p<0.001). Conclusion: semi-sitting position
during labor and delivery was found to have clinical advantages without risk to mother or
infant. Enhanced maternal and fetal outcomes included better Apgar score, improved perineal
integrity, vulvar edema, less blood loss and better women satisfaction. Recommendations:
the utilization of the semi-sitting labor position must be encouraged, with randomized clinical
trial to provide further confirmation of the study findings.