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sem 
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 Topic: What position did you give birth in?
Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:05pm |
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Just got back from AN class where we talked about different positions to give birth in, none of wich sounded particular appealing to me and it made me wonder what position you where in when giving birth and why.
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Here we go again, another baby on it's way! 
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fire_engine
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Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:07pm |
Flat on my back, legs in the stirrups. Cos I had an epidural and Dan was stuck and they were in a hurry to get him out.
I don't recommend it 
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sem
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Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:12pm |
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Well funny you say this as that one was the position the group I was in had to explain and it was also the one that sounded least appealing to me!
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Here we go again, another baby on it's way!
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tessie
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Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:14pm |
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I was head down bum up trying to stop my son coming out in the car. I don't recommend it!! lol
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TheKelly
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Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:35pm |
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both times I was half lying half sitting ...I can't remember why I didn't really care tho, I just wanted them out
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Hopes
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Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:38pm |
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Haha, Tessie, I can understand why that's not ideal!
I was on my back on the bed too... the way they don't recommend, since you haven't got gravity helping you, but I'd got up for an internal, was comfy (as comfy as you can get in labour!!) and couldn't see why I should move. It ended up being a good thing, he came too fast and I got quite a bit of tearing, being in a position with gravity helping would have only made that worse.
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WestiesGirl
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Posted: 21 September 2010 at 11:05pm |
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I was sitting up on the bed. Which was the last place I wanted to give birth but it all happened so fast that thats where it happened.
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Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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Chickoin
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 12:14am |
On my back because DD was a big baby and the MW needed the best 'view' to help her out. My back was so sore afterwards, I couldn't lift my baby for the first 2 weeks  I am not sure if it was the birthing position that caused the back issues, it probably didn't help that I was quite small before pregnancy and DD gave me a HUGE heavy belly for my poor back to support 
I think next time (if I have a choice) I would like to give birth on my knees while leaning over something.
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kebakat
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 6:42am |
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Same as Flissty, on my back legs in stirrups because I was being monitored
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caraMel
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 7:01am |
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Same as most, up on the bed on my back both times. First because she was posterior & a ventouse delivery. second because the cervical lip was in the way and mw was trying to move it.
Not what I'd hoped for either time but it really wasn't as bad as I'd thought it would be either!
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MrsMojo
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 7:04am |
Both times I was sitting up while pushing and lying against the mattress (which was raised) for a rest inbetween contractions. I think the idea is that by sitting it reduces the space in your abdomen thereby helping to push the baby out.
You can change positions if you find the one you've chosen doesn't work for you, 2nd time I started out on hands and knees but turned over because I found sitting far more comfortable.
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mummyofprinces
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 8:15am |
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I didnt get far enough along to say about pushing but for labouring I was either sitting on a swiss ball or standing and rocking pelvis... the bed was the last place I wanted to be but I can see that kneeling or sitting on the bed for pushing would be good... nice to be able to rest inbetween (if there is time for such a thing).
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Hopes
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 8:20am |
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It's interesting that most people that ended up on their back in bed seem to regret it a bit. It wasn't what I'd imagined (because I kind of figured making the best use of gravity was a good thing!!) but I could have moved if I wanted to (they asked me if I wanted to transfer to the pool for a water birth) but I didn't mind enough to want to move.
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fire_engine
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 8:36am |
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I've found it really interesting reading about how pelvic outlet is smaller when you're lying on your back cos your pelvis and coccyx can't move - it makes a cm or 2 difference which is quite significant! It can also explain back problems post-birth as your coccyx can't move like it actually needs to when the baby is coming out.
There's a really good book I'm reading called "Active Birth". My copy is from the early 80's (real nice pics!) but it talks lots about the differerent positions and the benefits of moving in labour. The author recommends standing, supported squatting or being on all 4s for delivery; if things are going too quickly, being on all 4s with head down and bum up (oh dignity, where hast thou gone?)
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Bizzy
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 8:43am |
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funnily enough though most midwives still deliver with you on your back! it is better for them, not the patient!
i was on my back with stirrups for my first - ventouse - on my back with my second but only cause the mw wanted to do an internal and when i got on the bed it took us all by surprise...
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sem
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 8:47am |
 tessie wrote:
I was head down bum up trying to stop my son coming out in the car. I don't recommend it!! lol |
Thhanks Tessie, making a mental note not to go for that one either...lol!
It makes sense with the backbone flissty, Nicola showed us a pelvis last night and yes, every cm counts by the look of things.
For some reason I always thought most woman give birth lying/sitting on a bed but then last night thought maybe this was jsut an impression created by watching to much TV. After reading the replies it seems it is true though.
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Here we go again, another baby on it's way!
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Hopes
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 9:04am |
Flissty wrote:
if things are going too quickly, being on all 4s with head down and bum up (oh dignity, where hast thou gone?) |
Hahaha, too true! Although I would absolutely have tried that if I'd known it would help and I'd known I'd tear... the things you do.
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High9
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 9:07am |
I was reclined in bed but I had an epidural about 2 hours before pushing and whilst I could feel contractions, pushing and her crowning and being born, I couldn't feel anything from the knees down and the mw had one foot and dp had the other and I pushed off them iygwim... MW also got me to curl over my tummy to help pushing.
I know some people have stood up and I was open to whatever felt right at the time! 
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first
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 9:14am |
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I was crouching in the birthing pool but they removed the water as he was born due to him having hicups and not wanting him to breathe the water in or something. I was happy with where I delivered but would have liked to have been able to have given birth in the water.
Start the mantra to your baby now "no hicups during labour", they hurt.
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 22 September 2010 at 9:33am |
Both times I was on the bed with the bed propped up so I was sitting at a 45 deg angle, does that male sense???? The first time because I never really thought to be in any other position. The 2nd time because we got to the hospital, got on the bed to be checked and I was 9cm and the birthing pool didn't have time to fill up  . I can't say that I regret it either time, although I would have liked to try a water birth
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What position did you give birth in?
