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!

In the pool, on my sides for most of the labour - sitting upright, sort of on my back for the actual delivery

If there's any chance you can use a pool go fir it; it makes it so much easier to change positions

I was on my back with my legs in stirrups, despite saying thorough pregnancy that I didn't want to give birth in that position having read it made it harder!

But when it came to it I tried pushing on all fours and couldn't get any force behind it, iyswim. I found pushing on my back much easier.

Early labour was spent mostly stood up, sort of swaying from side to side as that eased the discomfort from early contractions.

Pushed 3 times, didn’t even push as was told my body would do it all. My bump contracted and out popped baby on my knees in the birthing pool.

On all fours on the bed in the delivery room.

Standing up, though this position can make you more prone to tearing (though it is excellent for blood flow to the baby).

On my back, feet in stirrups for both DC.
DC1 took 2 hours of pushing and needed forceps.
DC2 was back to back and took 10 minutes.
Every baby is different!

on my back .... which goes against all the advice but honestly this was what I felt most comfy with at the time! I had at this point tried all fours, birth pool, birth stool ... midwifes were great at encouraging lots of movement and trying out different positions.

First time round on my back after planning a water birth- didn't even get in the pool.
Second time round on all fours completely stark naked with 5 people in the room- again planned a water birth.
If there's a next time I'm not planning a water birth then I'll probably have one!

All fours - too fast though so tearing. Apparently on your side is good for a controlled delivery

First (spontaneous labour) was born with me on all fours. I spent most of the labour in the pool kneeling with my arms braced on the sides.

Second (medical induction) - my favourite labour position was kneeling on the floor with my upper body draped on the bed. I had an epidural a few hours before the end and gave birth lying on my side, with the midwife bracing my upper leg and pushing it up and to the side to open my pelvis.

Up on my knees with my body lent over the back if the hospital bed with ds2. It's was fantastic and hinestly didn't hurt too much. He slid out was walking about an hour after and went home 6 hours after his birth.

Ds1 I was in my back with legs in the air. Oh god it was so painful the pressure on my bum was unreal. (Didn't get this with ds2 as I was on my knees) it literally felt like a balloon was inside my bum. O was in alot of pain afterwards and was discharged about 48 hours afterwards.

Overall I'd choose on my knees any day.

Thanks everyone for your responses. This has been a massive eye opener for me!

Birthing stool, in a dark corner of the room!

With my first, I was hanging over the head of the bed on my knees. Arms and head dangling over the top, biting down on the mattress.

With my second,'I tried to mimic that, but my leg kept cramping, so ended up on my back with one leg hooked over dh's shoulder. This did mean he got covered when my waters broke though

DC1 - on all fours with hands in hallway and fanjo in spare bedroom

DT1 whilst running out of delivery room en suite - DT2 13 mins later, after 3 pushes, on my right side on the bed

Squatting on my living room floor with my arms braced on my sofa. I’m sitting on the same sofa now 3.5 years later! It gives me weird flash back feelings thinking about it.

With all 3 I was in. Y back K. I seriously could not move with the pain and contractions rendering me immobile and unable to tolerate anyone touching me. I desperately wanted a water birth too

On my back (forceps)
On my back (induced prematurely, was on all fours most of it but for some reason they moved me when I started pushing)
On all fours - brilliant, calm
Stood up - ridiculous fast labour, I stood up after being wheeled down to labour ward and gave birth like that. Probably the most bizarre sensation out of all 3 positions!

Same as TriJo on my back in the McRoberts position due to shoulder distocia. Also had forceps.

DS took 8 hours.

On my knees leanding forward in a birthing pool - twice
Perfect position
I have no idea how anyone can give birth on dry land!!! I loved the freedom of movement available in water!

Standing up leaning on the bed. I didn't know that about standing up making you more prone to tearing, as mentioned up thread. I did tear, but probably didn't help that dd came out with her fist next to her head!

I had read various books and attended positive birth movement meetings and planned to go with hands and knees or squatting. However, by the time I reached this point I had been awake for 48 hours (waters broke and i had a full night of contractions which then stopped until the next evening), I was so totally exhausted I didn't feel like I could take my own weight through my legs and delivered on my side with one leg in a stirrup. This position seemed fine and I delivered my first baby, who was over 9lb, with only a very small tear.

@Eryri1981 I can imagine it must be terribly exhausting. I am terrified of tearing!

Thanks everyone for responses. This makes for fascinating reading!

All fours, I was much happier in that position, although the midwife sat me on the toilet to get the head out and that worked like a charm. I then waddled back with DD's head out and resumed my all fours position leaning over a giant bean bag for the final push