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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

If you managed to have a decent vaginal birth, any positions really help?

73 replies

Ididivfama · 12/12/2023 17:40

I’m thinking (and worrying) about vaginal birth now it’s coming and if any good positions or actions helped?

OP posts:
beckyCarlos · 12/12/2023 18:37

For generally contracting, walking around (or pacing by the side of the bed), for when it got a bit worse, on all fours/leaning over the back of the bed, stood up leaning on the bed, leaning on the wall, leaning anywhere really 🤣 for the pushing bit (I only had 19 mins of pushing...) god only knows because I had three midwives telling me I couldn't possibly be fully dilated and was still on the antenatal ward... but I remember squatting on the floor with my arms over the bed and just saying 'I cant, I cant' when they asked me to lie on my back to do an exam 🤣 in the labour room, I was leant over the bed itself (begging not to lie on my back again), and apparently I gave actual birth halfway in a flip from my back to my front (my body did NOT want to be on my back!) Your body will tell you whats working for you if you havent had any interventions. Tens machine and hypnobirthing breathing/visualisations/affirmations really worked for me if they're something youre open to x

Appleblum · 12/12/2023 18:44

Water birth. Hands and knees.

Appleblum · 12/12/2023 18:44

Water birth. Hands and knees.

Desecratedcoconut · 12/12/2023 18:48

Three vaginal deliveries. One home birth, one hospital on a bed and one hospital in a bath. No complications. I wouldn't say any one of those was easier than another and I HATED labouring on my knees, much to the midwives annoyance. It is what is is, you can deliberate what you should do for the best but it is more instinct than planning when you get to the nitty gritty.

mumtumok · 12/12/2023 18:48

with my first I was in labour 10 hours- but only really pushing for the last 20 minutes. I tried to sleep inbetween contractions and didn’t have any pain relief not even gas and air. When it came to pushing I just listened to the midwife really - Don’t be ashamed if you poop! That poop feeling go with that . My second was born in the elevator going up to the maternity ward so gravity done it’s part there lol

mumtumok · 12/12/2023 18:49

I was lauded on a bed . The typical position- anything else was to much pressure

ToothFairy2023 · 12/12/2023 18:52

I laboured in the birthing pool but had to come out to give birth. Had one on my back and one on my side which was faster listen to your body and be guided by your midwife.

stepintochristmas1 · 12/12/2023 18:59

When I was wheeled into the room , got off the bed and for some reason went onto all fours , it just happened . The first was on a bed because I was strapped on a monitor and it was horrible I just wanted to move .

KThnxBye · 12/12/2023 19:01

Running up and down stairs repeatedly, as fast as I could, which I’ve never seen mentioned in any birth books. Surprisingly only one of them was born on the stairs after all that.

NaturalStudy · 12/12/2023 19:03

For two of mine I had to lie flat on my back and wasn't allowed to move around for the entire labour. I didn't tear and delivery was fine. So there are much better positions, but if you have to lie on your back don't worry that this means it will definitely be difficult.

stepintochristmas1 · 12/12/2023 19:03

I do have to say though don't plan a specific way , you'll find your own way at the time .

SylvieLaufeydottir · 12/12/2023 19:05

I spent established labour the first time kneeling in the birthing pool and bracing my arms on the sides. Just felt natural. Delivered on all fours. Textbook birth, great experience. Second birth, kneeling on the bed with my arms braced on the back. In general, let gravity help you and follow your instincts.

luckbealadytonight · 12/12/2023 19:13

Two in water, leaning over the side of the pool swaying my hips and both times I flipped over and floated to push right at the end as crowning - just went with it!

Birth can be amazing, best not to worry before you have to!

cbbo · 12/12/2023 19:20

Don't overthink it. You'll know in the moment what feels good and what doesn't. Your instinct kicks in,
However you might be a little restricted if you have an epidural. I needed my husband and midwife to help me change position. It's was a bit tricky but I was still able to move around

BinkyBeaufort · 12/12/2023 21:23

Kneeling up, leaning against the back of the bed. Don't underestimate the help gravity can give.

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 12/12/2023 22:44

I'm very into yoga and had good knowledge of birthing positions that might be good. Weirdly, though, when I had the urge to push I hopped up on to the bed and lay on my back. Bizarre. You couldn't have told me to do anything different, that's what I needed at the time.

I also mooed. Like a cow.

minipie · 12/12/2023 22:48

Standing up, leaning forward onto bed. But luckily it was a quick birth as I don’t think my arms could’ve managed that for long.

on my back for DC1 for monitoring reasons - very much not recommended.

midtownmum · 12/12/2023 22:50

Water birth on all fours for the first one, standing up leaning on the bed for the second (would have been standing up in the corridor if they'd taken any longer to get me into the room - the midwife who was on when I arrived didn't think I was in active labour because apparently my contractions weren't very regular, so when the new shift did an internal to be sure before sending me home, they were pretty surprised when I was 7+cm, refused to sit in the wheelchair to be taken to the delivery room, and had a baby in my arms 12 minutes later. I started pushing in the corridor with a midwife holding each arm to support me)

Bahhambug · 12/12/2023 22:50

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ChristmasSteps295 · 12/12/2023 23:02

Yeah, gravity was my friend like most people, so squatting while leaning forward. It's the luck of the draw of course, but I barely tore and I was only pushing for a short time.

It is pretty similar to trying to get a massive poo out. So imagine positions you'd want to be in if you were super constipated.

Passingthethyme · 12/12/2023 23:04

Try not to overthink it, your body will tell you. Avoid on your back (avoid epidural), this is the worst position and it's ridiculous this is what is always shown on television and movies! All the best

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 12/12/2023 23:10

I mooed as well. Full bovine. No control over it at all! Worked though.

minipie · 12/12/2023 23:12

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Yes! I found pacing (pacing and counting) helped with contraction pains so did it for that reason. But guess it was probably helping move things along too.

stargirl1701 · 12/12/2023 23:26

I was off work from 32 weeks doing a lot of prep. DD1's birth was fabulous - I felt so powerful. 18 hours total (12 at home using Tens) and I had her in the pool at the midwife unit. I was a bit freaked about taking the Tens off in case the pool didn't work.

I had PGP with DD2 so my physical prep was really reduced. She turned back to back at 34 weeks which changed her movement. I spent the next week scrubbing my floors with a wee brush trying to force her to turn back. It worked although my knees and hips were in agony. Her birth was definitely more painful and I needed gas and air. She arrived more quickly and the pool was still filling when she popped out. I had her on all fours using a mat. I did shout that I couldn't do this on land a few times! The PGP was awful for about 3 days then it began to resolve. I can still recall that sensation of my bones grinding on each other.

justanothermanicmonday1 · 12/12/2023 23:37

Laying on my back with legs in the air worked twice 🤣 the second was a fast labour as well.