labour tables: types, features, price and buying guide india

Key Takeaways

• First, a labour table is an adjustable bed that supports a person during labour and delivery, and it helps the team to assist safely.
• The main types are mechanical, telescopic, hydraulic and electric labour tables, and each type differs in how it adjusts.
• According to a Cochrane review of 30 trials, upright birth positions shortened the pushing stage by about 6 minutes, so labour equipment that allows position changes is useful.
• In practice, Meddey lists labour tables from ₹16,399 to ₹38,200, as of 29 September 2026, and over-bed trolleys from ₹5,499.
• Finally, choose a labour table for hospital use by adjustability, frame, top material, stability, hygiene and service support, and not by price alone.

Contents

Every labour room needs equipment that is safe, adjustable and easy to clean. Therefore, buyers of hospital equipment give labour tables a lot of thought. However, many people are unsure about the types, the features and the cost.

This guide is for doctors, nurses, midwives, medical students and buyers of clinic and hospital equipment. In addition, it uses simple words and answers the most common questions. To see products, you can visit the labour tables collection at Meddey.

What Is a Labour Table?

A labour table is a specially designed bed for labour and childbirth. It has a padded surface, an adjustable backrest and leg supports, so the person giving birth can rest in a safe position. As a result, the team can examine the patient, assist the delivery and give care with less strain.

Labour tables are also called delivery tables, obstetric couches or labour beds. Also, many have a stainless steel top or frame, a mattress and a way to raise or lower sections. Meanwhile, some models also include a trolley, a bowl holder or a drip stand.

For students, one line is enough. A labour table is an adjustable bed that supports a person during labour and delivery, and it helps the team to assist safely and keep the area clean.

What Is a Hospital Delivery Table?

A hospital delivery table is the bed used in the labour room for the delivery itself. In detail, it lets the person lie or sit in a supported position, and it gives the team access to assist the birth. In many hospitals, the delivery table and the labour table are the same unit.

However, the words can mean slightly different things. A labour bed supports a person during the early and active stages of labour. A delivery table or obstetric couch is used for the delivery and for procedures such as episiotomy repair. In addition, a birthing bed or LDR bed can serve for labour, delivery and recovery in one place.

What Are the Different Types of Tables in a Hospital?

Hospitals use many kinds of furniture. Each one has a different job, so the right choice depends on the department.

In short, a labour table is one kind of hospital furniture, and it is made for obstetric care.

Types of Labour Tables

There is no single official list, but most labour tables fall into a few groups. They differ by how they adjust and by what they are made of.

By adjustment method

By construction

Hydraulic Labour Table: How It Works

A hydraulic labour table uses a fluid-filled pump system to change the height of the bed. Staff press a pedal or move a lever, and the pump lifts or lowers the surface smoothly. Therefore, the team can set the best height for assisting the delivery, and they can lower the bed so that the patient can get on and off safely.

Benefits of a hydraulic labour table

• First, it needs little effort, so staff do not strain their backs.
• Second, height changes are smooth and quiet.
• Third, it helps patients who find it hard to climb onto a high bed.
• In addition, it can speed up changes between labour, delivery and recovery positions.

Points to check

However, hydraulic systems need servicing, because seals and fluid can wear over time. Therefore, ask about the warranty, the spare parts and the service plan before you buy. Meddey's current labour tables are mechanical or telescopic types. For a hydraulic labour table, please contact Meddey to ask about availability.

Labour Table for Hospital: Key Features to Check

A labour table for hospital use must be safe, strong and easy to clean. Therefore, the chart below lists the main features.

Therefore, compare these points across models, and ask for the exact size, load limit and warranty in writing.

Birth Positions and Labour Bed Design

The best labour bed is one that lets staff support the position that the patient chooses. A Cochrane review of 30 trials with 9,015 participants compared upright positions with lying on the back or lithotomy during the second stage, without epidural. In 19 trials, the pushing stage was about 6 minutes shorter with upright positions. Also, in 21 trials, fewer people needed an assisted birth.

However, the review also found no difference in caesarean births, and in 15 trials, blood loss of 500 mL or more was more likely in upright positions. Meanwhile, a Cochrane review for people with epidural found little or no difference in operative birth between upright and recumbent positions. As a result, guidance says that providers should not impose a position, and should support free choice instead.

What this means for buyers

• First, choose a labour bed with an adjustable backrest, so that staff can raise it to a semi-upright angle.
• Second, check that the leg supports are easy to move, lock and clean.
• Third, make sure staff can lower the labour bed to a safe height for getting on and off.
• In addition, plan the room with space for birth balls, stools or mats if your team supports other positions.

Labour Table Price: What Decides the Cost?

The labour table price depends on the type, frame, top material, adjustment method and brand. Therefore, a simple mechanical model costs less than a telescopic or full stainless steel one, and an electric bed costs more. At Meddey, labour tables are listed from ₹16,399 to ₹38,200, as of 29 September 2026.

Labour tables available at Meddey

What pushes the price up?

• First, full stainless steel costs more than an MS frame with an SS top.
• Second, hydraulic or electric adjustment adds to the cost.
• Third, more sections and accessories, such as side rails and a drip stand, raise the price.
• In addition, brand, warranty and service support also affect the final cost.

What Is the Price of a Hospital Bedside Table?

A hospital bedside table is a small stand next to or over the patient's bed. Two common types exist. A bedside locker stands beside the bed and stores belongings. An over-bed table slides over the bed and gives a surface for meals, reading and small items.

At Meddey, the over bed table trolley with a sunmica top is listed at ₹5,499, as of 29 September 2026. It has a U-shaped base that slides under the bed, and a side knob adjusts the height from about 28 to 42 inches. In addition, the adjustable over bed table with a gearmatic crank and PVC top is listed at ₹8,490. It has a 28 to 45 inch height range and a 30 by 16 inch top.

Therefore, the price of a hospital bedside table depends on the type, the top material, the adjustment method and the size. Also, measure the clearance under the bed before you order an over-bed table.

Where Can I Buy a Labour Bed?

You can buy a labour bed from medical equipment suppliers, hospital furniture makers and trusted online medical stores. However, the seller should be able to give clear specifications, a warranty, delivery and after-sales help.

Questions to ask the seller

• First, ask for the exact size, weight capacity and material of the frame and top.
• Second, ask what the warranty covers and who repairs it.
• Third, ask if the mattress is included, and what material it is made of.
• In addition, ask about delivery, installation and training for staff.
• Finally, ask if spare parts and accessories are easy to get.

Meddey lists mechanical and telescopic labour beds, an OT table with manual high-low adjustment listed at ₹27,500, and an examination couch with footrest and bowl listed from ₹27,499. Its team can help you plan a full labour room set-up.

Planning a Labour Room Around the Delivery Bed

The labour bed is the centre of the labour room, but it works best as part of a plan. First, leave enough space around the bed, so the team can move freely on both sides and at the foot end. Next, place a clean newborn care area in the labour room, a trolley for instruments and good lighting within easy reach. Then, keep labour room emergency equipment, such as suction and oxygen, close to the bed.

In India, the LaQshya programme asks facilities to align the labour room layout and workflow with national guidelines. According to the programme, around 46% of maternal deaths and over 40% of stillbirths and newborn deaths happen on the day of delivery itself. Therefore, safe equipment and a well-planned room matter a great deal. Also, respectful maternity care is a stated goal, so privacy, a clean bed and calm staff all help the patient feel safe.

For example, a small clinic may set up one labour bed with a basic trolley and a newborn corner. On the other hand, a district hospital may need several labour beds, an obstetric operation theatre and a high-dependency area. As a result, the number and type of labour beds should match the expected delivery load.

Cleaning and Care

• After each patient: First, wipe the top, the mattress and the handles with the approved disinfectant.
• Mattress: Also, check the cover for cracks or tears, since damaged covers hold germs.
• Moving parts: Next, check hinges, locks and the backrest, and oil them as the maker advises.
• Stainless steel: Wipe it dry, and avoid harsh scouring that can scratch the surface.
• Hydraulic parts: If you use a hydraulic unit, check for leaks and arrange regular service.
• Safety check: Finally, test locks and stability before each shift, and remove a faulty unit from use.

Buying Checklist for Labour Beds

As a simple rule, involve the labour room team before you buy. Then, test a sample if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Labour Beds

Where to Buy Labour Tables Online in India?

Hospitals, clinics and nursing homes can buy labour beds from medical equipment stores. Before you buy, compare the type, frame, mattress, size, warranty and price. Meddey lists mechanical and telescopic labour beds, and its support team can help you choose.

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