Gravity ...Childbirth!
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2533
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Topic: Gravity ...Childbirth!
Posted By: Kelpa
Subject: Gravity ...Childbirth!
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 9:00am
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Now I have been thinking about Childbirth. Last time as soon as I had my EPI I was flat on my back on a bed and that was it of course!
My girlfriend in Auckland swears by standing up and leaning over the bed. She has had 3 girls in the last 7 years..All with No painkillers and leaning over the bed standing up! She swears that Gravity is a very important thing! Has anybody stood up here giving birth and do you think it really helps? I would really like to not be stuck to the bed this time! (maybe go for a jog up to the dairy and get some lollies HA HA Not) -------------  
 
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Replies:
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 9:05am
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with both of my births i had the top of the bed sitting upright and i leaned over the top so was kind of in a kneeling position i guess, and i had great births. no tears/stiches and only a few pushes.
gravity really does help! both times especially (with my first i'd had an epidural) and tried a few minutes of pushing on my back, but i was having trouble getting into the pushing so i changed into that position and with a small amount of pushing my first daughter was born, at the time my epidural had worn off though, but legs were a bit tingly!!! |
Posted By: daikini
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 9:34am
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I was squatting with Kiya, and kneeling with Josiah (in a spabath both times) and gravity did help! ------------- Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 9:44am
i have been wondering the same thing myself kelpa! i'm tihinking of kneeling somehow while pushing. i like the idea of gravity helping out  ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: k&jsmum
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 10:16am
I was pretty much strapped to the bed (hooked up to what felt like a million monitors!!) when I had the boys and it just didnt feel right. All I wanted to do was get into a position where gravity did help. If theres a next time and theres no probs I will definatley be letting gravity do some of the work lol
 ------------- Marlene Keegan ~ 14 October 2003 Jaidyn ~ 14 October 2003 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 1:30pm
Ill be either squatting or having a water birth as im not having an epi 
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Posted By: Kelpa
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 1:40pm
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I dont think I could squat..I would fall over...
Now when you say Kneeling do you mean on all fours up on the bed or on the floor..Sorry for my ignorance! -------------
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Posted By: daikini
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 2:41pm
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When I was squatting while delivering Kiya, I was at the head of the bath, and my midwife was behind me with her hands under my armpits, leaning over the end and supporting my weight.
When I was kneeling while delivering Josiah, I was on my knees in the bath, leaning on the end of it. ------------- Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys |
Posted By: AlyAyde
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 4:07pm
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with Jayde I Knelt on the bed with my arms over the headboard (so facing backwards). It felt like the most comfortable position.
With Lissy I gave birth on my back but tried every position under the sun (that was just the way i happened to be when she came out) ------------- Jayde 25/12/04 Alyssa 08/04/03 http://Alyayde.bebo.com |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 4:10pm
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I would have loved to be kneeling or squatting... I kept planning to move but then just couldn't! Was strapped to the monitor too so was most uncomfortable.
Hrmm... maybe next time. |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 20 May 2006 at 4:43pm
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for both i was half sitting upright half lying, stayed mainly sitting, kneeling or squatting for most of labour, however when it came to pushing was up on bed, head of bed nearly fully upright, with someone holding my legs either side.. tried stirrups, no way ick, .. if you can't go for the totally upright position then i totally recommend this.. having your feet rested up on someones hip on each side really takes the force out of having to hold yourself up - so instead of pushing into your legs you can really feel where to push instead.
but gravity definately helps ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 9:20am
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I was on my back pushing for ages and it just wasnt working so I stood up and tryed squatting with two people supporting me. Ended up back on bed reasonably upright with 2 people supporting my legs. But I actually had Hannah lying on my side. Next time would definitely go for more gravity positions... ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: angel
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 3:34pm
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I was kneeling on one knee, and one foot. If anyone knows Queen Mary hospital in Dunedin, I had room 7 with the big double bed, and it was just the right height to lean on. Definately think it helped. While at home in labour, the most comfortable position was kneeling on the floor, leaning on the bed or couch. ------------- Aimee Ella - 5.5 years old! Toby - nearly 3 years old! 
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 8:19pm
| I was hooked up to lots of monitors and had an epi so was on my back but that was the only position I felt comfortable in and refused to move at all even before the epi |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 8:31pm
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I was standing at the foot end of the bed with my head in a pillow/beanbag and that was pretty much how I stayed for the whole labour and Birth.
I tryed every other way but I couldnt have anything touching my back and it really really hurt being on my knees and I couldnt sit! I recomend standing! |
Posted By: stevie_88
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 8:45pm
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I think I'll be hopping around trying different positions. But letting gravity take its toll or maybe a water birth would be my options. Just so its less of a tearing rate...? Hopefully. Have to see what my hospital offers. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 8:45pm
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I had an epi so was on my back for most of labour, but for delivery I had the back of the bed propped so I was almost sitting, and had my knees drwan up to my chin. Can't remember if the midwife told me to do that or if I just naturally ended up that way.
Have noooooo idea how the twins are ocming out... -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 9:20pm
we just did a session on positions in ante natal class and squatting looks like a really good option. We tried to get into that position but I found it REALLY hard (not enough stregth in my calves) so the tutor suggested a birthing stool (you're in pretty much the same position), also in a similar position to sitting on the loo  which apparently makes you relax your pelvic floor muscles, perfect for birth------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 22 May 2006 at 2:13pm
This is what I did too.. my midwife encouraged me into this position.. I took a while to push her out as I was worried about tearing, I didn't tear but did get a graze.. but that didn't have anything to do with the position I was in. I think it helped, I was sucking on the gas in between pushes lol ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Angelnz wrote:Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 22 May 2006 at 3:03pm
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I tried all sorts. I had a long labour so most of the time I was up and walking around (at one stage I thought Zaara will pop out while I was walking....I wish).
I ended up on epi and on my back/uprightish.....and then at the theater being cut open. I told my midwife that I want to do the gravity squat or kneeling thing but ......Oh well next time (if all goes to plan). ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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