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 was standing up. All over very quickly x

I felt way morr uncomfortable on all fours, my contractions were way more intense and i felt nuch comfier on my back but did swap n change

I tried all fours but hated it, felt really uncomfortable & actually quite vulnerable for some reason.

1st & 3rd were on my side, 2nd was in the bath so no room to turn so on my back.

2nd & 3rd were quick & fairly easy. First took a while but don't think that's uncommon with firsts.

Go with what feels right for you.

I was on my back and was in so much pain i just couldn't get onto all fours or even get the words out to explain that's what i needed. So i gave birth on my back but it felt wrong

Side-lying is the best position to avoid tears and if you think about it it makes sense. All mammals birth babies on their sides.

Instinct made me squat. All fours wasn't enough, my contractions weren't very strong but gravity helped. Plus maybe it opens a bit more in that position? Definitely helps if constipated

I was squatting and then something made me stand up 🙈 the midwife literally caught her in mid-air.

First time I had an epidural and was on my back. That was so much worse than doing it squatting without any drugs.

First time I had an epidural and was on my back. That was so much worse than doing it squatting without any drugs

Same as that, @Falacy

Given birth 3 times - first time on my back and although nothing to compare it too, found it very very difficult. Second labour easier/more upright. Third - on all fours felt so natural/easier. Subsequent labours are 'generally' easier, so my third probably would have been easier anyway, but all-fours felt just right. Good Luck!

I gave birth on my side

If youre being induced, it will all likely come on thick and fast, so my main advice is to listen to your body. How you feel best may not be what you expect, and make sure theyve got your pain relief on standby

I liked being on all fours, it worked for me, I wasn't the most effective pusher and we tried on the side and it wasn't working. In the end the midwife got me to sit in the toilet and bear down and that's what got her head out. I then waddled back to the mat and beanbag, and went back on all fours to do my last two pushes. I was more comfortable in that position, everyone is different though. I was on my feet for most of my labour up until about an hour before I started to push.

yes, kneeling on bed leaning on masses of pillows. Was much easier than lying down.

It might be best, but my body wasn't having any of it. I hated being on my hands and knees, despised bouncing on the ball and loathed standing/moving. I was happiest (relative term) huddled on my side, sucking on the gas & air.

I found being on all fours very uncomfortable. With DS1 I spent a lot of time kneeling up leaning on the back of the bed, but actually pushed him out on my back in stirrups. With DS2 I bounced/rocked on the ball a lot, then had an epidural so was on my back/side in bed. Pushing him out was much quicker, no stirrups and I was just sitting up in the bed (the foot of the bed was removeable so it was kind of like a giant chair). It's good to aim for an active labour, but you can't predict what position your body will want to be in, just do what feels right at the time.

@everyone Can you have an epidural and still be any other way apart from on your back? I know I will want pain relief, but don't really want to be on my back either.

@applecrumbler as far as I am aware you can sometimes have an epi which is like a partial epi, so it is not as strong as the full one, but you can maintain movement.
Another option for pain relief that won't immobilise you is pethidine or similar.
Or hypnobirthing exercises/water birth/ active birth poses all help with pain too - you might not need drugs after all !

Leaning over a birthing ball made it far easier, no pain relief needed

My first birth I really struggled with pushing. I started kneeling but eventually they put me on my back and did the whole bracing knees thing, as my pushing wasn't effective for some reason. DC1 needed an episiotomy to be born, and then flew out.

Second birth I gave birth on all fours in the birthing pool (well sort of leaning on the side) and it was very easy. DC2 born in a few pushes. But obviously had given birth before, so I don't think it was necessarily just the position that helped, probably a combination of factors.

What I will say though is that being in that position felt natural and right. Being on my back did not (although by that point I'm DC1 birth I didn't give a shit and just wanted the baby out). And I do fully believe that if you can use gravity to help, then why not?

Not for me, no. The pain was only tolerable 'lying down', which isn't actually lying down at all.

I was on so much pain I could not even flip myslf onto my side, not even mentioning all 4 :)