Position you gave birth in

[Mummyinlove09]

I’m 35 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I’m currently learning hypnobirthing (I’m reading the positive birthing companies book) and I’m really enjoying it. It makes sense to me!

One of the things she talks about is birthing positions and contrary to what all the soaps and films show you, the worst position to be in when giving birth is on your back pushing! She talks about being upright, forward and open.

I’m curious to know what position did you give birth in and would you recommend one over another?

IME, midwives want you on your back to make the birth more convenient for them.

@PanamaPattie

IME, midwives want you on your back to make the birth more convenient for them.

It's certainly a lot easier for them if you need constant monitoring. I knew in advance I would need it in labour but the hospital midwife leading the hypnobirthing course said you could do this in any position, which is technically true, but she didn't add 'if you stay still, which is essentially impossible once you get to the late stages'

Kneeling on the bed using the back of the bed for my first, lying on my back for my second. First was hours, second was minutes.

I was mainly on all fours, the midwife sat me on the loo to get the head out so I was bearing down, but I then waddled back to the mat and resumed the all fours position for the final push. Up until I went into the pool I was standing and walking around, I got out of the pool half way through the pushing phase.

Flat on my back in an operating theater . I kept waving my arms about thought because I felt a bit spacey, which thoroughly bemused the anesthesiologist.

First on my back, second tried for on knees leaving against headboard but couldn't push hard enough and ended up on a giant potty! Preferred the first!

On my back with a midwife for each leg, belly was strapped to a monitor so had little choice on position. Stirrups by the end in the operation theater though. If I did it again not likely I will be on my knees.

On my left side for #1 on my knees for #2 and on all fours on the floor for #3.

I had an epidural so was on my back, it was fine. No tearing, 15 minutes pushing. I laboured in loads of different positions before that though.

Epidural for #1 so on my back.
All fours for #2 - just the position I naturally adopted. I was on the bed with my arse facing the window. I think hope the blind was drawn but that didn't occur to me until I was having my tea and toast in the birthing pool afterward!

I was on all fours both times.

@JanewaysBun

Dc1 - on back, (syntocin drip etvl) Dc2 - on back, she came super fast so basically I laid on the bed and she shot out!

This 😂 first, horrendous drop, b2b and ventouse.

Second, perfect position. Waters broke, 3 hours done and dusted and home

On my back - standing up was painful, walking with husband - I ended up hanging off him and on all 4s was worse - I was active tho up until last 20 mins maybe tho so that defo helped. I’d 3 hour labour so it wasn’t long but it hurt like a motherfucker

5 children, on my hands and knees.

Back x 1 and all fours x 2.

First birth was lovely, on back, tiny graze but tiny baby.

Second,.all fours because on back didn't work. Long labour and most painful. Much bigger baby (over 1lb difference)

3rd baby, all fours. Very quick, felt the most natural way to be. No tears. Not painful. Big baby but not as big as second.

Standing up leaning on the bed with the first, on all fours with the second

In stirrups with forceps the first time - horrendous. Kneeling, leaning forward against side of the pool 2nd time - million times better. But as others have said just go with the flow and see what feels right for you

I found lying on my back, or even being on my back in the birth pool just felt wrong and made me feel sick, like it was putting pressure on something that didn't want pressure on it: so I laboured almost entirely on my knees in the pool, leaning forward holding onto the side of it. Then to actually get her out I needed a bit more welly and actually found the pool too slippy, so got out and squatted down really low, still holding on to the sides of the pool, and that gave me a good enough position to finally get her out 😂

I had a very active labour pacing around. Was on the bed laying down on my side for the last ten minutes, which was how long I pushed for. DH held my top most foot and I pushed against him. Only had a tiny tear.

Bed was in upright seat position. I knelt on it, leant over back of it, propped up on elbows.

On my back in stirrups or there may have been a midwife holding each leg byvthat point. Was put in that position as they were trying to avoid an assisted delivery and they wanted to open the pelvis as much as possible. It worked and I only needed a small cut. It was a 15 hour labour.

On my back and I did PBC, downstage was only 10 mins so I don't think it mattered In the end. Keep up the course- it absolutely transformed my second birth

On my back for DS1,15 years ago, was awful!

DS2 8 weeks ago didn't get on my back once, moved around a lot and had him on all fours in a birthing pool. Was lovely 😊

Forgot to add, on my back took hours, on all fours took minutes!

Dc1 water birth
Dc2 standing