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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Anyone given birth on labour ward and NOT laid on their back in bed?

69 replies

Bubbinsmakesthree · 11/03/2017 09:30

in my first labour (induced) midwives convinced me to lie on the bed for 2nd stage which didn't suit me at all - pushing in that position didn't come naturally and progress slowed right down.

Expecting to be induced again for DC2 and would like to avoid being stuck on my back in the bed again if possible.

Anyone done this on a labour ward? If so what positions did you use, and how supportive were the midwives?

OP posts:
Lunde · 11/03/2017 13:55

DD2 was induced but I delivered on a birthing stool - I didn't actually get as far as pushing as midwife wanted a little look and dd fell out into her arms

histinyhandsarefrozen · 11/03/2017 13:57

They kept suggesting I get up, and I was up and about until push time, then I only wanted to lie down! (Three times, same position, worked for me)

Trifleorbust · 11/03/2017 14:06

I was kneeling up and lyibg down but it wasn't working. They brought in a birthing stool and I pushed on that for several minutes before getting back on the bed, where I gave birth on my back.

sandylion · 11/03/2017 14:20

Me! I have a u bend I'm sure. I was smacked out my head being constantly monitored but demanded to get on my knees as I knew I'd never be able to squeeze him out on my back. They popped sensors on his head and let me go. I only knew this would work because with my first I had a water birth but just couldn't get her out pushing on my back and a bossy midwife got me on my knees and out she plopped.

OuchBollocks · 11/03/2017 14:59

I was put on a drip as labour had stalled, and had a mobile epidural. When time came to push, I started off kneeling then tried the birthing stool for a bit, hated it and went up on my knees again. DD was almost out but then she turned her head and got stuck so needed forceps in the end (ffs), otherwise it was almost my ideal delivery.

WantToGoingTo · 11/03/2017 20:40

Meeee I had a waterbirth was supported to be in squatting position with feet against side of the pool (v useful as gave me extra oomph with pushing!) some labour wars have active birthing suites these days with Tarzan ropes and everything to encourage upright birthing. Completely agree back birthing is a nonsense (unless of course you are having assisted delivery or have epidural!) as you have to push baby uphill plus the extra pressure on your back owwww

sherbertlemon17 · 11/03/2017 21:35

Me! I'm going to buck the kneeling trend slightly though... God knows how I managed it but I didn't sit at all and spent my labour including pushing stage, standing in a kind of half squat position and leaning on the bed. I thank my yoga instructor for making me do all them squats!

smilingsarahb · 11/03/2017 21:38

On all fours for first, and on side for second (which was induced and lots of interventions but noone suggested lying on my back)

bobbinogs · 11/03/2017 21:43

On my knees hanging over the back of the bed head for both mine, I can remember looking at the cobwebs between the bed and the wall and thinking surely it should be cleaner in here......comfortable for me and the midwives didn't bat an eyelid, quite happy to let me do what I wanted.

BathshebaDarkstone · 11/03/2017 21:46

I was squatting in a birthing pool. I don't know if the position made any difference, but the warm water was amazing pain relief.

dodi1978 · 11/03/2017 22:45

Gave birth on the labour ward twice - first time because baby made surprise arrival at 36+1, second time because I had polyhydraminos (too much water).

Both times I kneeled on the bed learning onto the headrest. First time round I had the monitor straps around me, second time midwife only listened to heartbeat with doppler between contractions.

I don't think labour ward necessarily needs to mean being on back. I would have found that awful.

annandale · 11/03/2017 22:48

Never had any suggestion from the midwives about my position until they asked me to get out of the pool.

Walking + on all fours on the bed; crouching in the pool; trying to get comfortable in the pool, swishing about; standing up with my hands against the wall.

Original poster
Bubbinsmakesthree · 11/03/2017 22:52

Thanks for the experiences. Our hospital has a midwife-led unit with all the good stuff (birthing pools, stools, balls, sofas). The delivery suites on the labour ward just have beds.

Sadly minor complications mean I can't use the MLU but reassuring to hear many people used alternative positions to lying on your back.

I honestly don't know how I ended up on my back first time, I had no intention of doing so - I think in a haze of exhaustion and G&A I just did as I was told!

OP posts:
Etak15 · 11/03/2017 23:03

1st (no pain relief )ended up being forceps (ouch) so on my back, 2nd I had diamorphine and they tried to say because of this I'd have to stay on bed but I was kneeling leaning on headboard when pushing. 3rd nearly had in a wheelchair being quickly whizzed down to delivery suite as the silly feckers didn't believe my labour was that far advanced (but that's another story!) - I made it onto a bed and was ready to push so that was on my back as I'd not long since had diamorpine (too late) and had only just got my hands on the entinox so was a bit out of it!!
My 4th was kneeling on the bed again (no drugs this time just entinox)

Sn0wylady · 12/03/2017 00:02

With my 1st baby I was induced and had a mobile epidural - I started pushing whilst kneeling on the bed and ended up giving birth whilst standing, leaning over the side of the bed.
2nd was a c-section delivery (breech baby).
3rd baby, tried birthing pool but found it so uncomfortable I delivered in a standing position again.

nong45 · 12/03/2017 00:46

Midwife in hospital got me to kneel leaning over the back of the bed, which was in the upright position. There were even these 2 handles like bicycle handles on the back of the bed so you could grip and pull on them while you were pushing - ingenious!

PerspicaciaTick · 12/03/2017 00:58

Are you writing a birth plan? I think if you make it explicit in your plan that you want to try positions other than lying on your back and would like the midwives to support you in finding the best positions, then the midwives will be happy to work with you.

I think that, when faced with a woman who appears to be settled on her back, midwives will assume she is happy to be on her back and not challenge her to try other positions for fear of upsetting her. If they know (because of your plan or because you have told them from the start) that you welcome their thoughts on different positions then they will be more forward in offering ideas and suggestions.

silkpyjamasallday · 12/03/2017 08:39

I had the back of the bed propped up kneeling and leant my body and arms on that whilst clutching the gas and air tube, is read that lying on your back slows things down and means the birth canal is restricted. I didn't really talk to the midwife much, I got into that position after my waters broke when I was about 9cm dilated I had been sitting up until that point. As PP have said the gravity helps!

RayofFuckingSunshine · 12/03/2017 08:43

I laid on my side with DD2, and the midwife in charge of my delivery had been completely supportive of me delivering squatting or kneeling. It only didn't work out that way because she had to ask me to lay on the bed to find DDs heart rate on the monitor and the laying down intensified my contractions so much that I couldn't move back off the bed.

PacificDogwod · 12/03/2017 08:49

I was encouraged to be on all fours or crouch but could not stand it.
I remember yelling telling the MW forcefully that there was no fucking way I was getting off my back.... GrinBlush

IME unless there are medical reasons for why a labouring mother should be in bed/on her back you are encouraged to move around and be as active as you want to be.

sycamore54321 · 14/03/2017 03:58

I find it irritating when on threads like this people insist that being on one's back is "nonsense" or similar. Every labour is different, every woman is different. And being reclined is just as valid an option as any other position. If it is of interest OP, the pushing stage in my second labour was a fraction of my first - I pushed for three contractions and the baby arrived safe and well. I had all the "don'ts" - on my back with an epidural and coached pushing even though I could also feel the rhythm of contractions. According to natural birth online wisdom, I was a disaster and doing everything i shouldn't be. From my perspective it was great.

So absolutely, explore and plan for any and all types of positioning and movement. But first labours are generally much tougher for the pushing phase, so pushing this one will likely be quite a bit easier, and remember no one position is universally dreadful. If reclining is right or comfortable or convenient for you, go for it.

Best wishes.

Original poster
Bubbinsmakesthree · 14/03/2017 07:48

Fair point sycamore - with my first I was very much instructed to get onto my back by the MWs with no suggestion of changing position when it wasn't working so well. So it's been good to hear that other people have been able and even encouraged to try alternatives as I feel more confident approaching the birth now.

OP posts:
tinypop4 · 14/03/2017 13:45

I went on my knees with my arms resting on the back of the bed, this was just my instinct and the midwives were fine with it, very supportive.
Much better than with DD when I lay on my back, that was much slower.

einalem1984 · 15/03/2017 04:19

I gave birth on knees leaning over the headrest of the bed- I think it helped that Gravity was on my side! 2 hours of pushing with gas and air and no stitches!Smile

clarabellski · 22/03/2017 16:09

For the pushing bit I was sitting at 45 degree angle with midwives holding legs up in air as well. Can't say I chose to end up in that position it just sort of happened after a very quick transition stage.