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Original poster

Did you do it on your back?

24 replies

Tokyotwist · 27/01/2011 21:36

Give birth, that is?

I have recently been trying to decide how I want this baby to be born (got to fill those pregnancy days with something Smile).

With my dd I had every intention of following the antenatal advise and not lying on my back, but on the day, despite the midwifes encouragement to walk about or kneel, I just wasn't budging from that bed. I seriously did not have the energy to move.

In my defence, she came in just 3hrs (90mins if you count from when we arrived at the hosp).

This time I would really like to consider a water birth or using a ball as I'm told it's less painful than on your back, but I am worried that my legs won't support me.

So, how did you do it? Anyone done it in more than one way, which was better?

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ethelina · 27/01/2011 21:40

I had no choice really as I was bleeding quite heavily and there was no way they were going to let me stand and risk an intra-partum haemorrhage. I didn't find it too bad til crowning but my pain threshold is quite high.
Not that there will be a next time, but before I went into labour I did have fond hopes for the birthing pool...

InNeedOfCoffee · 27/01/2011 21:45

I did, even though midwife suggested i move several times (may sound silly but he was a male midwife and i felt very self conceous- he was very good though). Will try not to be so stubbon this time round as was pushing for 2.5 hours...

NancyDrewHasaClue · 27/01/2011 21:51

With DC2 I spent the vast majority of my labour in the bath, after I got to the hospital I was fairly active for 90 mins or so and started pushing whilst on my knees but half way through I just desperately wanted to be lying down on my back.

Just after I hat I could turned over (and was blissfully comfy) a stroppy HCA barged into the room took one look at me and barked that that was no way to deliver a baby and demanded I get on my knees.

DH very curtly informed her that I was quite happy where I was and to leave me to it(I was so proud Grin ) and DS was born minutes later.

ginmakesitallok · 27/01/2011 21:54

I had both DDs on my back (dodgy knees) - and they were fine easy births

WincyEtNightie · 27/01/2011 21:58

Grin at this thread title.

With DD I was on my back. I had to get out of the pool to be examined then couldn't face moving again. At the time it felt OK (IYSWIM!). I was bracing my leg against DH and I felt that it helped me push.

When I was DS our pilates teacher taught us "bottom bones out" when doing the cat stretch on all fours and explained how that opens the pelvis. Thinking about this, I realised that, although I was getting some purchase to push with DD, I was effectively pushing "uphill".

With DS I delivered kneeling up against the bed. I made a conscious effort to tilt my pelvis back (ie pusing bottom away from bed) as I pushed. It felt much more right.

I obviously can't compare the two as obviously a 2nd birth is usually quicker and easier (and DS was almost 2lb lighter than DD!) but FWIW I pushed him out much more quickly and without stitches.

Hope that makes sense Smile

cluelessnchaos · 27/01/2011 21:58

On my back for dd1 and kneeling over the back of the bed for the other three, it was much easier and quicker.

cara2244 · 27/01/2011 22:01

Squatting worked for me!!

Brasso4 · 27/01/2011 22:11

I was lying on the floor (so on my back) my birth plan had said I wanted to move around but was not keen to move when it came to push! She came out in 20minutes so no big problems!

Sparklies · 27/01/2011 23:02

Tokyotwist - same for me.. exactly. Even down to the timings, weirdly enough! Maybe it's something about precipitous labours? I knew I should be walking around but I did just. not. want. to. It was too much effort to move.

Probably would have really helped as it took so long to push too, and the midwife was threatening me with stirrups and everything, oh yay.

Unfortunately my second was EMCS and I am 100% stuck with ELCS for the future for reasons I won't bore you with, so I won't get the chance to see if I could have done it better!

CrawlingInMySkin · 28/01/2011 07:38

TokyoTwist both times I tried different positions but I wanted to give birth on my back. DS ws op and a 30 minute pushing stage DD was normal and a 2 minute pushing stage, no tears either time.

I personally think all bodies are different and have stronger or weaker muscles in different areas, as a result like giving birth in different positions. I think if allowed most women should listen to their body and give birth how it tells them they should.

PermaShattered · 28/01/2011 21:36

on my back - every time (3), and probably will be in March again too! Last time I was bleeding and hooked up to machines all through labour so had no choice.

But with my first 2, I wasn't comfortable except on my back, had no energy to squat, etc, I do think that being on your back (not completely, certainly with a couple of pillows behind the back) conserves energy that is needed elsewhere!

mum295 · 28/01/2011 21:39

On my back, but with the head of the bed up, so almost sat up.

I wanted to squat over end of the bed, as that was how I'd spent most of labour, but two of my three MWs said they had bad backs and couldn't (wouldn't...) support me in that position. Hmm

franke · 28/01/2011 21:41

I never wanted to be on my back. Always laboured on hands and knees.
pg1 gave birth on my back because emcs
pg2 gave birth sitting propped up because I'd had an epidural
pg3 gave birth upright on the bed, on my knees, leaning against the wall - I moved into this position for the last 2 contractions.

EyeoftheStorm · 28/01/2011 21:51

I thought I gave birth to DS2 (premature and 30 min active labour after 4 days trying to stop contractions)on my knees hanging onto the midwife's shoulders with my eyes squeezed shut while she said: look at me, EyeoftheStorm, I'm trying to help you.

When I told DH, he said I was lying on my back the whole time. Shock

franke · 28/01/2011 21:52

lol @ EyeoftheStorm

onimolap · 28/01/2011 21:55

If you can, you should avoid lying on your back as this means you are effectively pushing uphill. Being semi-recumbent is no better.

But you can be lying down - just choose a neutral position: the classic is on your left-hand side (get birth partner to hold top leg out of the way).

Rindercella · 28/01/2011 21:57

DD1 I was on my back, although I had been quite active & squatting prior to that.

DD2 I was on my knees in the pool.

G&A both times.

DD2's birth was by far the easier.

Babies can't really get round corners (yes, Eastenders, I look at you and your sit down on the floor and have a baby scenes Hmm), so the best thing you can do, imo, is to give them as easy a passage as you can - so open up the channels! Grin

Oh, and both my births were relatively quick - DD1 was 7 hours (3 hrs at hospital) and DD2 was 3 hours (1 hr at hospital).

RobynLou · 28/01/2011 22:02

I had DD on my back, 30mins pushing, 8lb4oz of baby out with just a graze...

I only got to the room I gave birth in 20mins before she was born though, so there wasn't time to think or move to another position.

spent most the labour walking/kneeling.

MrsChemist · 28/01/2011 22:03

I laboured with DS on my back. I tried moving, but didn't like it. However, I think it didn't do me any good. While I was fully dialated (sp?) DS was quite high up. I ended up pushing for an hour and a half and DS was in distress. I nearly had a ventouse, but pushed him out just as they got it ready.

I'd like a waterbirth next time, partially because I know I won't be able to lie down.

bessie26 · 28/01/2011 22:04

I was on my back for DD (but with the head of the bed up, so almost sat up), but she was prem so I was wired up to monitors & not really able to move much.

I think proper contractions started around 11am & she was born at 1pm.

Am hoping to keep #2 in for a bit longer so I can have a "normal" birth & choose to wander round/get into funny positions if I fancy it Grin

cupofcoffee · 29/01/2011 07:47

Yes for all three of mine.

ds1 long labour - tried to stand but legs too shakey so ended up on my back in bed.

ds2 Only just made it through hospital door and got on bed whist dp yanked my trousers off and ds2 arrived with no time to move off my back.

dd - same story as ds2!

camdancer · 29/01/2011 09:12

DS I was on my knees leaning on a ball.
DD I was on my side with DH holding up my top leg if that makes any sense. She got stuck on an anterior lip and it was a way for her to get round it.

Both births were on the floor at home though. My DH had made a fabulous nest of old curtains, bubble wrap and other disposable squishy stuff so it was comfy for everyone. Then afterwards we could go into a nice, clean, warm bed.

Original poster
Tokyotwist · 29/01/2011 09:17

Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful and makes lots of sense as to why it would be easier on your knees.

I think I'm really going to try to follow it this time but not beat myself up if I end up on my back.

Is it just me or does there seem to be a relationship between quick births and on your back births?

OP posts:
EauRouge · 29/01/2011 09:17

I was too knackered for the active labour I'd planned with DD but I lay on my side instead of my back. When DD was crowning one of the MWs had to lift up my leg for me because I was too exhausted to do it myself Blush

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