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’ve had three all born lying on my back (medical inductions and it just wasn’t possible to move around much with so many drips in) and all came out with very minimal pushing. I did drink a shit load of raspberry leaf tea in later pregnancy - so I’d definitely recommend that!

Both times I laboured kneeling over the edge of a birth pool. I was told kneeling or all fours gives maximum space for the baby to emerge plus there is the benefit of gravity.

One disadvantage of kneeling forward is both times I got minor labial tears. I read that perinneal tears in this position are however much less likely becuase the baby's head is angled more towards the front.

I was on my back for both labours. No tears with either and both were very easy with no complications

Standing up.

Just get ready to catch !

I think you will get into the position that feels best for you. I don't think many people give birth flat on their backs. It's more like sitting up.

I was in the birthing pool - on all fours for most of the pushing stage but when it actually came down to getting the baby out I was lying on my side. Kinda hard to explain but it's not like I thought "right I'm going to lie like this now". Instead it's very instinctive. My body just took over, it's indescribable really. Try not to overthink how it's all going to go op. You'll be fine.

I was told to lie on my back and had my legs put in stirrups. I wasn't happy about it but I'd been in labour for 38 hours by this point and quite frankly had gone a bit doolally. Ended up with a 3rd degree tear. Wouldn't recommend.

Was on my back for my first, on my side with a huge dumbbell shaped excercise ball thing between my legs.

You'll probably try different positions and stick with the one that's the least painful.

I sat on the bed propped by cushions with my legs bent up and apart. I felt quite comfortable like that and all my babies were born with me in same position.
Although I’d been to antenatal classes and was prepared for the pain, the amount of effort that was needed to push the baby out took me by surprise and I found that I was able to give it the most welly by leaning forward and gripping onto my knees.

I could not go on my back in labour - it made the pain so much worse. I gave birth kneeling in a pool, leaning against the side of it (as several pps have described)...just got into that position naturally and it was the least pain/felt the most comfortable. My DH sat outside the pool and I kind of rested my head on him. It was as lovely as labour can be!

I was lying on my back for all three births.

I'd been to pregnancy yoga classes and was told all about gravity etc. But the classic on my back position is the only one that works for me.

When I watch tv and somebody is giving birth lying down it makes me feel a bit sick. Honestly! I think it’s the only strong view I have about the whole birthing process. I am a complete wuss normally, but I’ve given birth three times standing up, without pain relief. I NEED to roam round and pace, and the thought of lying down to give birth makes me feel like I want some paracetamol immediately. I held on to the wall/ pillow each time and knelt. Lying down? Agggghhh! What about gravity?

I was on my knees leaning on the back of the bed with the back rest up. Upright was best for me, I’m a great believer in Mother Nature and gravity.

I was already ready to push by the time I got to the hospital

Just wanted to walk in circles and to squat in a corner

But that was not allowed

The bed is for the sake of easy access for midwife/docs

I started on my back but nothing was happening despite pushing for a while. Moved on to all fours and just that movement made the baby stop significantly and she came out soon after.

I had both my babies kneeling. First time in hospital kneeling on the bed holding onto the head rest. Second time at home kneeling on the sofa leaning over the back. Being upright and mobile during labour and birth is the best thing. Gravity helps baby into the right position and Dow the birth canal.

*down the birth canal, obviously.

I paced all threw both labour's as it was the least painful position, but ended up kinda sitting up put on my back during transition and for pushing, it's just what felt right. In fact with dd2 I could bare get into that position quick enough and my body just pushed her out

@ArfArfBarf yes I swear by RLT too! Although I think it may have been a factor in my horrendous after pains.

Thank you all so much for your replies its such a great help listening to you all!

I'm being induced at 37 weeks and just curious. Hope i'm able to still get on all fours despite there potentially being an oxytocin drip running... i'm consultant led so birthing pool is out.

I don't have a birth plan and don't plan on having one i'm just going with it and trying to educate myself a bit better before going in to this for the first time.

Thanks again 💕

I prefer labouring on all fours, or sitting on the edge of a bed or chair, or stood hunched a bit with hands on the bed - any other position than laying on my back :)
When it comes to the birth though I automatically feel I have to lay down, kind of on my back but sat up as much as possible with my feet rooted in the bed.
I tried all 4's but I was scared if I got to the point of no return and I moved I'd hurt the baby somehow.
You can still move a little with a drip, obviously not any gymnastic type movements :) but enough to get on to your knees.
You'll just ''feel'' what's right for you when the time comes.
Best wishes OP

I tried but I had HG and was so weak I had to lie down.

Every birth is different. With my first I didn't want to lie down at all. Spent most of the time standing and used a birthing stool at the end. With my second (I was induced a week early with him as I had GD) I stood, bounced on a ball (a lot) and eventually delivered on my back with feet braces against stirrups. Tried lots of other positions before that but all fours didn't do it for me.

1st sitting upright, second recliniing on my side, with leg in the air. if I had choice all fours would have been preverble.

i was adamant i was going to have an 'active labour' for both of them but nope, ended up in stirrups both times. i think i was exhausted and that wasn't helping but also i just didn't feel like i could push hard enough on all fours.