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mrs frantic 
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 Topic: positions for birth
Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:17am |
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thsi topic came up in my ante natal class the otehr day and I was just wondering how those of you taht have already given birth positioned youself during it - the instructor said that lyign on you back is not teh best position for you but it is good for teh midwife etc to see whats going on, and that ost women prefer to be on all fours or squatting - so I was wondering what other peoples expereinces were re: positions during birth?
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Mrs Frantic
Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006
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newmum
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:20am |
I squatted the whole time holding (or should I say clinging for dear life??  ) on to the bed head, while I was pushing (a good hour or so) It was the only position I felt "comfortable" in
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Roksana
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:21am |
Yah well I wanted to do the all four thing too...but after 36 hours of contractions I had epi and then you are bed bound.....I was on my back sitting up (sorta...) and pushed and pushed.....and then it was off to get a c section......Ok so I am not the best person to answer this!! 
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:32am |
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LOL roksana hehe
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Paws
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:32am |
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Glad you asked about this 'cos I'm curious too!
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jack_&_charli
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:36am |
i was wondering about it too. on tv, you always see ladies lying on the bed pushing bubs out...but is that really the best way? 
i'm thinking on all fours somehow might be the way to go..but really what do i know, i had a c-section too
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aimeejoy
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:38am |
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I was lying on the bed for ages and felt like I was pushing uphill if that makes any sense! So I tried supported standing/squatting, which was good but my legs got too tired. I ended up delivering Hannah lying on my side, with my legs supported by midwife.
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Aimee
Hannah 22/10/05
Greer 11/02/08
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Roksana
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:38am |
but honestly the "on all four" thing makes sense and looks way more comfy then on your back.....so may be with my next one.....here is hoping!!! 
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nicolaann
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:40am |
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I had a water birth. It was fantastic, and I will do the same next time... hopefully! I felt really stressed and sore and was starting to get very overwhelmed (didnt help that my midwife went home when my contractions were 1 min apart because she was tired, and I was waiting for another to arrive grrrrrrr) and then I got in the bath and instantly felt better. It was very relaxing, well as relaxed as you can be.
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Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3)
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james
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:41am |
i went with the flow standing and kneeling on the bed thur the contractions and pushing lying on the bed but i also had a epi and a c-sec so not the best to ask either although i do no a lot of ladys who gave brith lying on the bed with no probs 
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mum2paris
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:58am |
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I ended up kinda semi-reclined - during the pushing part that is, until then i had pretty much squatted in the bath the whole time at home and stayed upright.
When pushing both times i had the head of the bed so i was pretty much sitting then had one person either side of me with my feet held up on their hips - kinda like stirrups - (but ick stirrups are yucky!!! this is much better) so gravity was still working, the midwife could see everything (and so could the whole world i'm sure)and having legs opened up like that opens the whole pelvis right up.
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AnnC
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 10:58am |
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I think I must of tried every position possible with my son (who took 42 hours to come out) most was spent kneeling with back of bed up and me leaning over it, legs got very tired doing this position. He ended up being delivered with me on my back with two people holding my legs (oh the dignity u have to leave at the door)
My second came very quickly two pushes and she was out so really didn't matter but was on my back again slightly sitting up.
Dunno how this one will go but guessing if one doesn't work I shall move to the other position.
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Ann
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10)
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emeldee
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 11:24am |
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In reality you go with the flow and end up however you end up. Midwives are usually really good at suggesting different positions with relation to how you are labouring. Go in with an open mind and let nature and how you are feeling decide. (Sometimes different monitoring devices can limit the positions you can get into anyway).
I had Sean sitting up, propped on the end of the bed and with Andrew I was flat(ish) on my back with my feet on the bed.
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caraMel
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 3:57pm |
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I had an epi so was flat on my back with people holding my legs. Yup, all sense of shame I might have had went out the window!
This time I hope to deliver either kneeling or squatting as I've heard it can help reduce the chances of tearing. I don't really mind though, whatever feels best is what I'll be doing!
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Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 14 July 2006 at 4:39pm |
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I was flat on my back legs in strips (to push against) and it was really eady. As I tell alot of people I gave birth the 1950's style. I oplan on a water birth this time but who knows.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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nicolaann
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Posted: 15 July 2006 at 3:08pm |
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I think the best advice is just what Maree said. Go with an open mind, listen to your midwife and go with the flow. You never know what wil happen, and how you will feel. I have a friend whose Dad is a Gynocologist and he said he always get ladies in who have strong opinions on what position they want to deliver in, but they hardly ever end up in that position, because it doesn't end up suiting them. You will find a position that is comfortable for you at the time.
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Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3)
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mum2paris
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Posted: 15 July 2006 at 4:37pm |
lol sounds like alot of us had the semi-reclined with legs held or in stirrups - i spose it's cos it opens everything up and gives you some support to hold your legs and body while couteracting that overwhelming downward gravity feeling while you're pushing.
hardly very ladylike though lol
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MILF
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Posted: 15 July 2006 at 6:01pm |
i had the "semi reclined with legs held" position too, was put on syntocen (sp) and had to be monitored the whole time, so no wandering around the room for me! my mum had one leg and dh had the other - he swears this time he will be quicker and get to my head and stay there! lol i am actually glad i had my vantage point and not his (hmmmm, do i really mean that??? of course, i did get all the lovely drugs that they didnt get....) my mum says it still gives her nightmares  but i tell her to toughen up, she has one more to get through yet 
i did want to be as mobile as possible for as long as i could, obviously that didnt happen, but am not sure what i would like for this one. am thinking of asking for the birthing chair, or a swiss ball if its possible.
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Lyla - mum to
Xanthe -  my big 4 year old 
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Jordis - 1 year old 
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my2angels
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Posted: 15 July 2006 at 7:18pm |
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I was on my back both times first delivery cos it was a ventouse delivery and both times I had an epi although these days you can actually move with an epidural (was very surprised and pleased to discover this), but I wouldnt move even if they wanted me to. Tried on my side and hated it, just wanted to be on my back. I didnt find the pushing bad on my back well Addison was out with 15 minutes pushing so must have done something right
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 15 July 2006 at 7:19pm |
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I also tried the standing up but didn't have the energy to push at the same time.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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positions for birth
