Is giving birth really the best on all fours??

[Firsttimer93]

I read something interesting 'you wouldn't go in to the woods and take a shit lying on your back would you? So why would you go in to hospital and lie on your back to have a baby ?

Being induced in 8 weeks first time mum here guys and curious 🤷🏽‍♀️

I started off on all fours on my last birth but I found it easier laying down.

I preferred all fours, it felt like pushing was more effective than when I was on my back.

Standing was my best birth (ds2). I had ds3 on all fours but he had both hands on his head so it wasn't that easy... bet it would have been a lot harder on my back though.

I’ve given birth 5 times and I found the easiest was kneeling on the bed facing the head rest and leaning on the head rest.
Felt much better and easier than lying on my back.

I gave birth on my side.

It was explained in antenatal classes why you don't give birth on your back and then I watched One Born Every Minute. A few women were giving birth on their side and I was convinced when one who had a couple of children also did it.

Oh and I was induced. When I was monitored on my back it was absolute agony. I stood up until I was about to give birth then went on my side.

I really felt like I wanted to be on all fours but had complications so had to be on my back to be monitored, felt like the worst position to be in!

I physically couldn’t stay on my back. Had to be on the floor on my knees leaning over the sofa every time. Usually rocking to ease and distract from pain.

I could only cope with contractions either on all fours or kneeling with arms resting on the seat of a chair or a birthing ball. I gave birth in a pool in the end and was leaning on the edge of the pool so in a sort of squatting position but weightless because of the water

I was on all fours both times, the miswives weren't keen on it the second time as I was in the pool, but I seemed mentally unable to make myself get onto my back, so for me it was definitely easier / the way my body works.

I think being on your back means that you have to push the baby upwards slightly, which makes it harder.
All fours/ leaning forward onto a bed- so much more comfy. Going with gravity.

I gave birth on all fours, it just felt right and pushing felt like it was ‘working’ better in that position

I was absolutely exhausted by the end and falling asleep on between pushes so couldn't do anything other than be on my back but I did move around for the whole 20 hours before that! Moving is best! Active labour 👍👍

I kept moving around and spent most of my labours standing, right at the very end I went in to all fours.

Standing was best for me. The first time I started off lying down because I had to be attached to a monitor but it was excruciating, I ended up kneeling backwards on the bed facing the bed board. Second time I stood up, leaning against a chest of drawers. Much better.

Agree with your OP but please try and relax. Nothing wrong with a birth plan but not at the expense of your plan cos it's ok if it dsnt meet your pre plan

I was much comfiest sitting up on the bed. The midwife kept putting me in all sorts of positions but I just wanted to be on the bed. To each their own!

I didnt have any leg strength in labour. Last two births I was lying on the floor on my side, holding my leg up

For both I was on my knees and bent forward leaning on my husband.

well I hope that's convinced you OP

I think it's instinctive and you'll only know what position works for you at the time.
For me I wanted to be upright throughout my labours, and apart from my first which was assisted so I had to lay down, I birthed much easier upright kneeling.

My baby was early (36 weeker) I was on drips etc so couldn't move at all, felt so uncomfortable as I was in that position for 13 hours solid but the midwives wouldn't let me stand up or move around. Can't help but think if I had been able to I would of had a much more pleasant experience, Went in 6cm dilated, straight on the bed and didn't move from there till I gave birth!

I stood up to have both of mine. I didn't plan it, it's just what felt right. I really can't imagine lying down to have a baby. Mine were both very quick, especially my second., so perhaps gravity gave me a helping hand?

On my knees leaning over the back of the bed for babies 2&3. It was almost instinct- I knew I "needed" to be that way, I couldn't stay on my back. I was being monitored and covered in wires, and was in agony with contractions but I remember gasping out "you need to help me get on my knees!".

I gave birth unassisted (not planned) so no drugs and no one telling me what to do, my body just took over, pure instinct, I was sort of on all fours on the floor hunched over our sofa. It was just what came naturally to me I guess, he was out in 2 pushes, no tearing. I did lots of walking around up to that point, gravity did its thing, then my body took over.