Birthing positions - what are your thoughts???

[TruJay]

I'm 39 weeks today and am wondering which birthing positions people tend to go for. With my son I was already 10cm when I arrived at the hospital and once I'd managed to climb onto the bed to be examined he was already crowning so I was stuck on my back tilted slightly to the left, not what I wanted. I wanted to give birth, not sure how to explain it or if the position has a name but where u face the head of the bed, u are on ur knees holding where the pillows would be but ur torso is upright, kind of like squatting but on ur knees, does that make sense??? What have other ladies found worked very well or easier if u have had more than one and chosen different positions each labour? Also I've been told some positions are less likely to lead to tearing etc what are ur thoughts? Thanks in advance x

Squatting was bliss for me with DS2 - as you describe, leaning over the back of the bed, sort of on all fours. Chin down, eyes shut, total focus.

This is just how I wanted to be with both of mine...unfortunately, tiredness and panic (I'd convinced myself he died) lead to an epidural with my first so I could no longer be on my knees and my second ended in c-sec due to too much water bulging and worries of catching the cord.

Fingers crossed for this time...I WILL be upright! Not on my back or in surgery!

The position you describe but in the pool worked for me.

Squatting for me too. Poor midwife was crawling around on her hands and knees to examine me.

LOL mine just adjusted the bed to be higher...

I was on my knees hunched over the bed too, with both my labours. Gas and air nozzle resting in front of me! During the second labour I bleated 'I d

Oh fuck it, fucking phone!
I didn't remember it hurting so much the first time.. I could FEEL my partner having silent giggles behind me, before pressing the gas and air back into my hand and talking me through it like a pro. Lucky for him.

squatting was what I found best.

first was on the bed on my back and awful.

I ended up having ventouse delivery so stuck on my back in stirrups with what felt like half the hospital waiting and watching! I would have preferred many other positions!
think I would advise you to go with the flow, earlier in labour I found I wanted to sit on the floor, hang off dh ie holding his shoulders and swinging hips, I spent quite a bit of time swaying looking out if the window as the sun rose, tbh being on the bed was the last thing on my mind, ideally with dc2, I hope to be as mobile as possible but with monitoring last time that as a bit limited!

I like to give birth to the head kneeling leaning over the edge of the birth pool. But once the head is out, I like to sit back on my bum, push the baby out in front of me and then bring him/her to the surface myself.

Midwives don't tend to be quick enough getting round the pool for the quick change of position, even when it is in your birth plan that it is what you will do.

I was on my knees facing the back of the bed, holding on to the top. The bed was in the most up right position. I asked the midwife how to get the baby out quick. She said to let gravity do its thing. If i don't go for a water birth this time i will be doing the same.

I felt the squatting position would be most natural but ended up with emcs with dc1 and for the other 3 vbac I had, I had to be on my back monitored due to dc1 labour. this never felt natural to me and kind of ruined the experience for me.

That's what I was thinking dimdom let gravity help. Well I hope I can do it this time, have been told by consultant I have to come in earlier that 10cm this time so should be able to have more choice over positioning. Would love a water birth but due to previous complications I'm not allowed, need full access to me etc. will def go with squatting I think sound the easiest option if there is such a thing lol thanks ladies xx