shocked that giving birth lying down is for doctor's benefit?

[Pepsipepsi]

I've not given it too much thought before now but just came across a video saying that giving birth kneeling/standing/squatting are better birth positions than laying on back, as it opens up the hips and gravity helps.

So I Google why reclining is such a common childbirth position. And the answer basically is because it helps the medical staff see what's going on but can contribute to more pain, contractions stopping, and a longer labour. (Also some theories about how Kings used to want watch childbirth and lying down then became popular if it was seen good enough for the Royals. Could be a urban legend!)

I've read a few women's experiences agreeing with the above theory, and it's just made me feel upset and angry. Why are women suffering for medical staff convenience?
Why are we not giving women more birthing options?

Voting = YANBU giving birth using gravity makes more sense
YABU = modern medical science has come a long way and lying down is fine

YABU for thinking this is new. I was told to do this over 20 years ago when I had my first child (others were ELCS).

No woman would ever give birth on her back, of left to her own devices.

Being forced onto your back causes pain and increased chance of baby getting stuck due to the pelvis not being optimally open.

I thought everyone knew this!

Please buy "reclaiming childbirth as a rite of passage" as a starting guide for the birth process to learn more!

Massive difference between approaches in the US and UK. US does seem
to be more medicalised in many ways (money??) with a Dr led approach. UK seems to be more ‘intervention only when necessary’ midwife led approach

Is it not beneficial for medical people to have a better view of the proceedings

And these women doctors are learning from textbooks written by old men.

I gave birth over 40 years ago. The ante natal class was based on lying on your back but, in the event, I felt the need to sit up so the midwives propped me up with pillows. No problem. This was at Guys, meanwhile friends who went to Greenwich hospital were put in stirrups. 1980.

I had DS almost 10 years ago and alternative birth positions were definitely encouraged then. However, I ended up on my back for hours in the end as I was diabetic and they couldn’t find his heartbeat so stuck me on a drip and a monitor.

I was encouraged to have an active labour and give birth kneeling up against the back of the bed over 20 years ago.

The midwives were well aware that time spent on my back was unhelpful because they tried to limit the time that I was strapped onto the monitor. That’s a normal attitude ime.

I preferred lying down! Due to exhaustion first time, tried squatting second time, ended up on side on bed with the midwife holding my legs. I don't think there's a right position in which to give birth.

5 births. 1,2 and 4 had epidural and delivered on back or side (2000,2009,2019)

3rd birth in 2011 was fab had her leaning over a bed. Very mobile 2hr labour.

5th and final birth in 2021, at the tail end of lockdown started identically to 3rd. Except this time I wad made to lie on my back for "continuous monitoring" the experience was a world away from the empowerment I felt after my 3rd. I felt despite having a 2hr labour previously I wasn't believed at all that I was about to deliver. As it was I did have her in 2hrs again.

So for me births were better 11 years ago.

I only wanted to lie down only thing that seemed to ease pain. Remember getting annoyed (at the gentle and likely trying to help me) midwife going on about moving - bless her I was a grump. In the end she went whatever works for you darling. once born his positioning probably meant he was pushing on a nerve that was received when I was on my back. This is why we must listen to women.

And this is when you start questioning everything about childbirth. Yep!

No but regularly constipated which is bad enough to pass, let alone a baby haha!! I'm glad I've realised the variation of birthing positions before getting pregnant.

I gave birth to 3 babies on my back. To be honest, lying down when in such pain felt right to me. But I knew that lying down was said to not be the best position so for no. 4 I tried multiple other positions when at the pushing stage: kneeling, all 4s, leaning over bed, etc. Nothing doing. Lay on my back in what the health experts called 'stranded turtle' position and the baby was immediately born. Turns out sometimes being on your back is the best position.

But all this was 20 years ago and trying other positions was fully supported then. I can't believe women are still having to fight for this.

@Rinoachicken @TheCraicDealer yes had heard of birthing stools and know they're wildly used in other countries. Must remember to check my local hospital has them!

I was on my back because that was comfortable.

Yes, definitely! Definitely knowing your options is a great start, every women's body is different.

So go do it your own way then op since you know better than medical professionals?

My Dc were born in hospital 25 years ago, and moving around, kneeling, squatting, etc were encouraged and expected. Giving birth on your back was archaic even then -unless for medical reasons.

No1 I was on my back, my choice and not a chance I was moving for anyone.
No2 I didn't have time to lie down so was standing.
Gravity, generally, makes things quicker. But quicker isn't always better, it often is but not always and not for me.
I tend to think being able to move if you want to is more important than actually moving if you don't.

My eldest is 16, youngest 6 months and for all my labours I've been encouraged to move to whatever position I found best for me. With DD I did have her on my back, I tried on my knees but found it uncomfortable on my legs. DS2 was born with me standing up and the midwife had to catch, she had kept saying to me to maybe try standing up but I was doing the stubborn thing of lying on the bed full of drugs wailing I couldn't do it and getting nowhere. When I did eventually move it only took 1 push and he was out, the midwife afterwards said she knew he wasn't going to be born with my lying down. DS3 ended up an emergency section but I definitely wouldve tried standing up to have him too.

I was encouraged to be in whatever position helped and lying on my back was definitely not one of them, mine are 13 and 16 now. Always makes me laugh that every time there's a birth scene in a film or TV the woman is lying on a bed on her back. I can't remember for certain but think it was one of the Kings who insisted his wife lie on her back so he could see what was happening and then everyone else started doing it because if it was good enough for the royals.....it's never made sense to me, have they never heard of gravity?

It's not like that anymore though, midwives encourage you to get into any position you want. I suppose sections, women on their back, don't know how else that would work though. Also assisted births, forceps etc, I'm guessing the doctor would need to see what their doing.

If you really want to see how the world is built for men, I would recommend the book below.

carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/

In 2014 I was induced and told by the midwife that I'd have my legs in stirrups for the pushing stage (didn't get that far - had emcs). No problems had arisen when she said this and I hadn't had an epidural. I thought wtf considering all the chat about active birth positions being best - didn't seem that had filtered down to the midwives on delivery suite at my hospital. Positively archaic!

@Worthyornot im not medically trained at all (unless First Aid at Work counts...) Hence I started this thread to hear about people's experiences. I honestly find it fascinating how everyone's experience is so different each time.