Delivering standing up

[katster37]

DC1 was born unexpectedly quickly - I was told I was 2cm and to go home - he was born 2.5 hours later (I didn't go home). I was on all fours for the whole of the (v painful) dilation-y bit, sat on the loo pushing, and MW made DH lift me up over the loo and gave birth stood up, over the toilet, with DH holding me under my arms.... I am now 28 weeks with DC2 and terrified they will try and make me lie down!! I remember last time thinking I absolutely could NOT lie down, and found delivering standing up really good - I had gravity on my side, and he was born with only 4 or 5 pushes. My Q is, what are the chances of MWs 'letting' me do this again?! Do they always try and make you push on the bed? Is standing up actually recommended/unrecommended? Has anyone else delivered in this way?

I did with dd- sort of semi squatting with dh supporting me by hooking his arms under my armpits. Midwife was brilliant and encouraged me to do what felt right for me. She knelt at my feet and dd slithered out into her hands. I then sat down on the beanbag and my daughter was placed on my chest. Fab stuff !

My third child was born this way. The midwife had just arrived at my house to examine me and see how far along i was. I tried to lie down for her but i just had to get up. I spent the next 5 - 10 mins holding on to the end of the bed while i delivered my beautiful son.

DD was born on all fours and ds1 was a lie on my back job. I got the impression that midwives want you to be comfortable and confident so if you want to stand with one leg in the air and an arm in the bath then so be it.

from my experience the midwives encouraged me both times to stay on my feet, unfortunatley i took pethidine both times and got very drowsy so couldn't stand but the midwives were supportive of me staying upright. i know at the 'home from home' unit in my local hospital encourages being active in labour and for the mother to be in the position she is most comfortable with, in teh antenatal classes tehre was a demonstration showing how much more of an advantage standing and squatting was to the labour, it opens up teh pelvis.

Booyhohoho I think I had that pelvis demonstration in my mind during labour last time, which was making me refuse to go near the bed! I'm glad others have had a positive experience with MWs encouraging active labour. All my friends, without exception, have delivered lying down, often with coached pushing, and I was under the impression this was the norm. Good to know I am wrong! Still terrified of doing it all again though...

I did it on the bed but sort of on my knees facing the back of the bed which was in an upright position. This was really good for me because I had something to lean on but it was still sort of a squat. The midwife put me in that position because there was no way I could have lay down.

First I did standing up. Like you I simply could not have been lying down. Everything in my body wanted me to stand! MW was brilliant,and very encouraging.
With DS2 I simply couldn't stand up! The pressure was so intense,my legs kept going from under me. I hovered on the edge of the bed,walked to the Labour Ward-whilst pushing,! Collapsed on the bed,but remember thinking I should be upright! But he flew out after a couple of pushes-nearly 11 lbs!
Don't let the MW bully you into going on the bed if all is well.Although most MW do seem to be encouraging of being upright.