How possible is this

[jellyjelly]

Reading threads and thinking how i want the next baby to be delivered as asking how possible this is. Havent had a vaginal delivery before but have ds.

Can you after the head is born reach and pick up the baby yourself or reach to pull the baby up as midwives tend to support the body as it comes out. Is this a possibility physically.

Not sure if this makes complete sense!

[Trophywife]

i would have thought that you can, im sure ive heard of it. you could always ask your midwife at your next an session.

[jellyjelly]

I didnt know if i would/could like this or be able to actually get into that position to do it.

[Trophywife]

i tried to have a look at ds's head as he was coming out, but due to having a bump and not much sleep the nite before i found i couldnt quite bend over to see, you might find this is the same when trying to reach down and help out.
however i do remember watching living tv when pg and seeing women doing just that, so i would have said yes it can be done but you might want to do some sort of excersises (sp?) to help your back cope with the strain.
did you have a cs with ds?

[dangirl]

My mother says that is what she did when I was born. So yes, it is physically pos

[jellyjelly]

Yes planned section, but will be pushing for vaginal next time and thought this might be good, i like the idea of baby seeing us not the midwife first.

[kitty4paws]

I "delivered" my dd with my own hands.

I had dd at home in a pool and as I stood up out of the water to be monitored I heard the cry “there’s the head" I looked down and instinctively drew her out of my body, it was a magical moment. The mw didn't even have time to get her hands wet!

If you are not lying down it would be possible, if you can get your hands to your bits then you could draw the baby out yourself, lots and lots of women round the world do it every day ! Just make sure the hair you pull is the baby's and not yours ! Ouch !

[expatinscotland]

I was too focused on getting baby out to manage this. I also gave birth on all fours so I needed my hands to support myself.

[ghosty]

My SIL delivered her own baby ... she was having a home birth and the birth was too quick for the midwife to arrive on time. She was actually sqatting over the loo as she thought she need to go but realised the head was coming out so she reached down and 'caught' my nephew. She even unwound the cord which was wrapped around his neck ...
So it must be possible ...

[Adass]

Both my babies were delivered my dh in the birth pool - the midwives on bith occassions didn't touch the baby for the first 5 mins or so.

If he wasn't there it would have been just as simple for me to have reached down and brought them to the surface.

Only problem might be what you are going through and the position you are in at the time

[jellyjelly]

I am imaging on my back/side.

[Bozza]

I gave birth to DD stood up and imagine it would have been possible - however DH caught her.

[Pinchypants]

In my ante-natal yoga video, active positions for birth are covered, including one where you sit with your bent knees wide apart, supported with hands behind you while you are pushing, and then bringing hands forward to deliver baby yourself once head is out. I imagine this is an amazing feeling!
Pinchy xx

[jellyjelly]

any ideas as i cant lift my legs high?