who gave birth lying on a bed in hospital?

[ratclare]

why do they make us do this ? surely standing or squatting would make this easier ,what with gravity and everything . I am a nurse and i would only make some one have a poo in bed if there was no physical way of getting them out !

I didn't for either dds. Wondered around while fully monitored with first then leant over bed to deliver, not too bad. Did same with second, limited monitoring but had SPD and no one really bothered about how far I could open my legs and ended up with one foot on a low stool to facilitate delivery of back to back largish (8lb 13) baby. Ended up with third degree tears, a spinal and a three day stay in hospital. Still suffering with SPD five months later. Am I mad to consider a third!!

Would definatly recommend mobile labour as first was pretty quick due to good positioning.

I was continually monitored during labour as my waters had broken and I was induced by drip. Fab midwife helped me to use birth ball which was much more comfortable - although I couldnt move far being tethered to machine / gas and air / tens machine! If she could hear the heartbeat from the monitor she was happy and every now and again got down on her hands and knees to hold the belt and get a proper trace on the machine.So it IS possible to move around a bit even with continuous monitoring. Made a massive difference to me. Did give birth on the bed though, but v quick.

No! For me it seems to defy gravity and sense to do so. I gave birth to all of mine in a pool - wondeful warm water, a sense of weightlessness and great for the baby too. I highly recommend it!

It doesn't matter standing sitting or suspended from the ligh fitting (well maybe not LOL) as long as it is what Mum wants. I couldn't bear to stand with ds3, and really ahted the sensation of being in water with DS2- made me feel really claustrophobic.

The only thing that 'defies sense' is any Mum being pushed into anything they don't want, bar medical emergency

with dd1 I was taken to theatre for a forceps delivery so had no control over that delivery.

With dd2 I had in my mind that i was going to stand at the side of the bed. But after resting for a couple of hours on all fours leaning over a mound of pillows I moved onto my back, well I was propped up not flat out more sitting really, by then the contractions were coming so fast that I couldn't be bothered moving. And when my waters popped there was meconium so they had to put me on the monitor but it was only for about the last hour or so, so not for long. I remember pushing and thinking wait a minute I'm supposed to be standing up to do this, but I couldn't move as I was in the swing of things and dd2 arrived healthy and happy and that was all that mattered to me.

I didnt move off the bed - and didnt want to. The last thing I wanted was my bum in the air for everyone to see! Sat on one of those balls for about 2 seconds then just wanted the bed! at least I could collapse between contractions - less tiring but not for everyone

i gave birth lying on my side in hospital bed as standing was unbearable and just didn't have the energy in my legs to kneel on them!

I was so tired laying down was great - didn't want to walk around after (putting it lightly) a long time of labouring away.

I did! Had epidural both times so couldn't move around!

I don't know why I wasn't encouraged to move, I think my blood pressure was way up and they had to keep the monitor thing round my stomach, I think I was bordering on having to have a CS due to blood pressure.
Im saying 'think' because I was so out of it on the gas and air I was quite happy to lie there and chatter away, I wouldn't call it horrendous at all, although i did end up with a large tear yikes!