What position did you give birth in?

[ArizonaLeone]

Sorry for the odd question. Pregnant with my first and have heard lots of talk about which are the best and worst positions to give birth in. I know it all just happens on the day but curious to know other peoples' experiences!

DS1: birthing stool in MLU - hubby behind me, a student midwife built like a rugby player in front of me, me somewhere in the middle and pushing.

DS2: McRoberts position - required to free a shoulder dystocia - with around 10 people around me.

Thanks everyone for your answers and well done all. Must be such an empowering experience.

@TriJo googling mcroberts position...

On my back in stirrups hooked up to the monitor and a drip for both! I wasn't induced with either but labour stalled with the 1st due to the babies position and with the second I couldn't stop contracting and it was causing the babies heart rate to drop. I absolutely hate stirrups too!! I remember when I was about to push with my 1st and they put my legs in them and I said "God no I hate them" and everyone just ignored me! Was less bothered the second time when they came out.

I was too tired to give birth in any other position with the 1st but with the second I spent a lot of the time upright on a gym ball, I'd have prob gone for on all fours if they'd have given me the option.

Standing up. Had spent a chaotic first stage walking, sitting on the loo and kneeling up on the bed, then a bit more first stage, transition and pushing in the pool for something like 30 mins, then clambered out and heaved out ds on my feet.

On my right hand side.

I don't recall who or what held my left leg up... it was a very rapid labour, I was only at the hospital 20mins before DS was delivered.

But I was amazed at the comfort of the position and my (ample) thigh provided a comfy landing pad for the baby too...

Most of labour in the bath. I now wish we hired a birthing pool but we didn't as I was worried about flooding the flat and neighbours
Actual giving birth bit on all fours

First baby I stood most of the time then used a birthing stool. Couldn't lay down - felt terrible.

Second baby mostly on my back which was surprising to me. Used footrest think to brace against at the end.

Both labours less than 8 hours start to finish. 2 minutes pushing first, 20 minutes second.

Kneeling up and leaning against the raised head of the hospital bed. I was surprised as I thought you had to give birth on your back. I was also completely surprised by the amount and strength of the pushing. I literally thought I’d just screw my face up and push a bit 😂

Laboured stood up, pacing around or leaning on the bed during the later contractions.

Midwife didn't believe I was ready to push cos it all happened quite quick so to placate me, she asked me to get on the bed for a check. I was crowning so was rushed into a delivery room and 2 pushes, laying on my side later DD was born.

Standing up leaning on the bed. I'd been all over the place up to the last 40 minutes and then that was the only place that felt comfortable. The midwife stepped away for a second or two to get something and DD came hurtling out just caught by DP. At that point I would have happily walked off and left everyone else to it, but apparently that's not the done thing.

Good luck with your adventures OP!

I spent hours pushing on all fours but laid on my back for the actual birth.

It's hard graft pushing the baby out, you have to keep pushing hen waiting etc, I wasn't expecting it to be so laborious myself

Another one on hands and knees here. For me it was very primal and I was very insistent that that's where I wanted to be. I think having practiced various positions in NCT classes beforehand did help tho as I had no idea prior that on your back was apparently difficult. I was heavily monitored and had an epidural and was very happy that I was still allowed to move to be comfortable. DS didn't need any guidance to come out that way and I pushed for about 15 minutes

Instinctively, all fours at the very end. Stood up and walked around for the labours.

My first 21 years ago I had an epidural and delivered in left lateral on the advice of the midwife and interestingly there has just been a research study done to back this up so it’s all come full circle again

My second 5 years ago was on all fours with my backside in my boss’s face (we’re Both midwives and she’s a very good friend)

Once on my back. Epidural plus 2 hours pushing then venteuse. Ghastly.

Second time, caught unawares when my waters broke standing up, manages to get up on bed on my side and delivered in minutes lying on my left side. Much easier. But my body took over and did everything without asking me 😊. I was just a bystander that time.

On all fours in the birthing pool for DC1; standing up leaning on the bed for DC2. Pushed for about an hour first time, 15 minutes second time. I was planning on a water birth second time round but they didn't even have time to get me to the room with the pool, never mind start filling it up! I started pushing in the hall on the way, with a midwife holding each elbow as I'd refused to sit in the wheelchair, and they basically steered me to the nearest room, I leaned on the bed, and she was out a few minutes later. It was good. The first one was harder, he was 10lbs 1oz, I was induced, first time just is harder I think. But it was still basically totally fine.

i tried for ages squatting and on all fours... i read all the books ok watched hundreds of OBEM saying um she should be on all fours. ... well I ended up on my back in stirrups!

In the pool leaning over, facing forwards so like an all fours but sitting up position? My body wasn't comfy if I wasn't hunched over the bed or bath

On my back in stirrups. Had an epidural as baby was back to back and had heard this would be the worst way to give birth all round. However was able to push her out with encouragement from the midwife and DH, without further intervention.

I guess what I'm saying is do what works at the time! X

Sat back on the bed with Dp behind me, exactly as I had been the whole entire labour (5hrs). Poor dp had one totally dead leg! Was absolutely the only position I was comfortable in but not at all what I had planned (walking, pool etc). Arrived at triage, got into this position while waiting for a room, 5hrs later, still in same position, no room available and baby born!

I was on my back with my feet on the bed and my knees up. After 4 days of contractions that meant barely any sleep, my tens machine, birth ball and birth pool, I was physically exhausted, so I was given a pethadine injection so I could rest. I remember laying on my left side while I was resting, but i 'woke up' and it was literally time to push. I was on my back. It felt the most natural position for me.

On my back for all three, like a PP I needed the bed to push against and I am weird and hated pushing on all fours/standing. With my third I did however make a really effort to be upright more during contractions which I think helped make the pushing stage much shorter. It’s just whatever feels right for you.

I actually didnt think about the pushing stage much before it. i had prepared myself (as much as you can do) for the contractions but when the midwife was like ok lets start pushing i was like.... what do i do!

But i knew i wanted to be upright, so i stood and swayed and squatted for a while then used a birthing stool (basically like a toilet position) lasted prob over an hour. But its all a blur tbh and didnt feel like that long.
I had pretty achy legs after though lol

On back with legs pushed back