To squat or not to squat

I came across an interesting study today and thought it was worth sharing.

Researchers looked at two small groups of pregnant women in their third trimester — 14 rural women who habitually squat and 14 urban women who don’t. They assessed each woman’s squat exposure via questionnaire and tested their lower limb strength.

The results? The habitual squatters were stronger overall, more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal delivery, less likely to require a caesarean section, and showed a trend toward a more efficient labour, including potentially shorter or more effective second stages.

While the sample size was small, it adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that regular squatting and functional movement during pregnancy may support better birth outcomes. If you're aiming for a vaginal birth, building strength and mobility through squatting might be a great place to start!

Reference: Savla, R., Mullerpatan, R., Agarwal, B., Kuttan, V., & Kumar, S. (2024). Influence of physical activity including squat exposure on trunk muscle strength and labour outcome in pregnant women. International Journal of Exercise Science, 17(1), 504–516. https://doi.org/10.70252/VGAK1504

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