When it comes to labor any mother can tell you longer is not better. Once those contractions start, you just want to get the baby out. Now a new study at the Institute of Women’s and Children’s Health in Australia has found that the North American tradition of laying on our backs to deliver may not be the fastest (or best) way to go.

The study looked at 3,706 women and found that if women lie on their back during labor it can have and adverse effects on uterine contractions and impede the labor process.

Walking and upright positions in the first stage of labor reduce the length of labor and don’t seem to be associated with increased intervention or negative effects on mothers’ and babies’ wellbeing. Women should be encouraged to take whatever position they find most comfortable in the first stage of labor, but if it’s speed you’re after you may want to stand, sit or walk around.