positions for birth
Printed From: OHbaby!
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=3134
Printed Date: 10 October 2025 at 10:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: positions for birth
Posted By: mrs frantic
Subject: positions for birth
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:17am
|
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? ------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Replies:
Posted By: newmum
Date 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 ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Roksana
Date 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!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:32am
| LOL roksana hehe |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:32am
|
Glad you asked about this 'cos I'm curious too! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date 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 ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:38am
|
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. ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Roksana
Date 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!!!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:40am
|
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. ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: james
Date 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 ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 9:58am
|
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. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
|
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 10:58am
|
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. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: emeldee
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 11:24am
|
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. ------------- |
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 3:57pm
|
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! ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
|
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 14 July 2006 at 4:39pm
|
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. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 15 July 2006 at 3:08pm
|
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. ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: mum2paris
Date 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 ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
Posted By: MILF
Date 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. ------------- Lyla - mum to Xanthe -  my big 4 year old 
and Jordis - 1 year old 
|
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 15 July 2006 at 7:18pm
| 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 |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 15 July 2006 at 7:19pm
|
I also tried the standing up but didn't have the energy to push at the same time. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 15 July 2006 at 8:56pm
|
lol yeah - first time i had my midwife and her support midwife.. second time i had a completely different fill-in midwife, and mike.. and when ayja was born the rest of the amniotic fluid gushed out and went all over him!! lolol. hhhm no wonder he doesn't want any more kids ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 2:19pm
|
lol poor guy ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 2:35pm
|
yeah i must say I am really glad I didnt hve to see down that end! I think sometimes its easy to forget what our partners see us go through and that it was pretty traumatic for them too. I will never ever forget the moment that Hannah was born tho and Daniel just burst into tears and we had our little family cuddle... Awww ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 2:42pm
|
AAAWWW, have been present at 2 other births - my nieces and another for my maternity placement. One was before having kids and one was after, and i tell you it's a whole new perspective. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 3:04pm
|
I really don't know how I would get on being at a birth and not the person giving birth. Watching the videos are fine but being there i'm not to sure. Frantic, i'm sure once you get into labour you will move around until you find what is right for you. Even thou they say "this position is the best" it's not for everyone. The woman doing my antenatal class was very anti laying on your back, but I had great joy going back after we had Andrew and saying it was the best for me and so so so comfortable. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 8:38pm
|
lol, first time i had no idea cos i was about 15 so was just there as support - am sure i sat in the corner looking white (much like mike did at paris's birth!!)
At the other ladies one i could clearly tell what stages whe was going through cos i had only had Ayja 4 months before hand and could remember every noise and way of thinking (you know, the "i can't do it" stage etc) and i found myself just wanting to do the work for her lolol, you kinda sit there mentally pushing and remembering what you felt. a bit like flash-backs from 'nam. lol ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 16 July 2006 at 9:51pm
| Ive just realised I have no idea what hubby was thinking during labour. First time round it was all so stressful with Kobe being taken away pretty much as soon as he came out and I just remember telling hubby to stay with him while they took him to nicu so we didnt really get a family cuddle time. This time was different but I still have no idea what he was thinking. I didnt want him to see 'down there' figured he wouldnt look at me the same way ever again, I know I sure as hell didnt want to see. |
Posted By: mrs frantic
Date Posted: 17 July 2006 at 9:05am
|
yeah sure I understand obviously I will find the best position at the time - I just assumed that all women give birth on their back and was shocked to hear that "äpparently" not many do and I was just wondering how many people here actualy used the old fashioned "on you back" thing - I had to laugh - I was talking with a lady at work the other day about it and asking if she was on her back for her baby's delivery and she said "sure - I figured I was on my back when it got in there so might as well be on my back when it got out"- lol what a crack-up!
------------- Mrs Frantic Baby Maddisyn born 28 Sept 2006 http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 17 July 2006 at 9:13am
|
pmsl Frantic!! I guess thats one way of looking at it! ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 17 July 2006 at 10:06am
|
With Bailey I couldnt have anything touching my back as it hurt so much!I ended up standing at the end of the bed with my head in a beanbag and pushed him out that way... Ill never forget that feeling of all the fluid and blood streaming down my legs YUCK! ..... I did try on my back, on all fours and kneeling but now worked for me.
You will never know what position you want untill you are actually in labour Trish |