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?

On my back in stirrups!

I'd spent 1.5 hours pushing in various upright positions (having heard all the benefits at NCT class and being very active during the labour). Got nowhere and exhaustion set in. Got on my back and with the help of ventouse she was out in minutes. 🤪

On all fours both times and no tearing. Could be coincidence, but it felt right.

I had a water birth (which was brilliant, I'd recommend if possible) so I was sat up and kind of lent back a bit. Started off on the bed but it wasn't working for me

on my back, stirrups, foreceps

planned a waterbirth and fricking whale music

plan but have a very open mind.

babies will come when they are ready and how they want!

Three babies, I've tried to be on my hands and knees or upright, but can't cope with the extreme pressure it causes me, I've actually always preferred to be on my back/side. I appreciate that being upright makes sense gravity-wise but I can't tolerate it.

I had a long early labour (4 days of contractions) so was physically exhausted in the end. When it came to actually giving birth I was on the bed on my back with my knees up and my feet on the bed.

Thanks so much to everyone for replying! This made a great read!

I completely agree, going in with an open mind is the best idea. You have all given me some ideas though and have made me not so worried about giving birth lying down if that’s what’s best.

Thanks again

How did you get on OP?

I gave birth both times in a birthing pool. My position was squatting, both times. Caught the baby as she came out. No tears either time.

Kneeling upright both times. First over back of bed, second was in pool which was loads better and whole second stage was only six minutes.
I labour quickly and I think the longer people are in labour for the more chance of being on their back, needing epidural and other interventions. If you are exhausted you can't cope. Obviously there's only so much you can do about that but certainly with my first when I got the first signs of labour I was super excited and started going for a walk, bouncing on my ball etc, everything to get it going. I would really recommend sleeping as much as you can in late pregnancy and early labour, rest while you can, have a bath if your can, take early pain relief like paracetamol. Also eat a good meal while you can, keep your energy levels topped up. I didn't want to eat in labour but I drank lucozade and ate jelly babies - treat it like a marathon. The more energy you can give yourself the better you will cope with whatever labour throws at you.

First I had on all fours. I spent most of the labour in a birth pool kneeling and holding the side, but had to come out for the last 15 minutes.

For my second I was induced by drip and did most of the labour kneeling on or by the bed. I had an epidural for the last few hours so couldn't do that, but I had the midwives turn me on my side and hold my top leg up so I wouldn't be on my back.

Both births smooth with no tearing.

I had a water birth and positioned myself leaning forwards on the side of the pool. It wasn't conscious, it was just what felt most comfortable at the time. As baby was born I knelt more upright and was able to catch him myself.

Prior to going to the MLU, my position at home had been lying on my side in bed. Probably not the most conducive to labour, but it was the most comfortable position at the time (my goodness, the birthing pool was such a relief after that)!

I also used hypnobirthing and found it really helpful. I'll be using it again with my second (due later this year).

Oops, I hadn't noticed this thread was started in August! I hope everything went well, OP.

My midwives were very keen on kneeling and upright positions and I tried them but on my back just worked better for me.

On my back in stirrups for the first but had laboured in lots of positions but it was an emergency by that point.

No. Two on all fours leaning forward in a birthing pool (home birth). I don't remember much from no.1 as I was scared and giving it my all just to get her out. Second was calm and felt very slow but the overall labour was much slower second time 16 hrs -v- 6. Much nicer experience all round second time.

In birthing pool upright on my knees the whole time, used the side of the pool to lean on

mobile.twitter.com/millihill/status/1346601515650322433

I saw this on twitter on the other day, a dr who has performed ventouse and forceps deliveries on upright women who have history of trauma. Thought it was pretty amazing and came to mind when I saw this thread.

My first was induced and epidural, I felt coerced into this and gave birth in stirrups with forceps.

Second and third I had at home and I just did my own thing for the whole labour. Gave birth to both in a pool leaning forwards resting on the side. Absolutely 💯 instinctive. The force my uterus produced to push my babies out was the most incredible physical feeling.

Hello.
Dc1 in bed on back. Dreadful needed epis
Dc2 at home by mistake: standing up -very quick and painless
Dc3/4 hosp birthing stool much easier

On my back for all three DC. I'd been to active birthing classes and knew all about gravity etc, but that's the only position that works for me!

How did you get on @Mummyinlove09 ?

How lovely of you to ask 😊 my little girl is now 3 months old 💗 I was in latent labour for 5 days and spent most of my time bouncing on my birthing ball. I then spent 90% of my labour on the birthing ball which was amazing! Unfortunately I had a placental abruption during labour and had to have a c section at 7cm but I loved the experience of labour and the bouncing ball was a godsend! 😊

Oh wow @Mummyinlove09 how amazing! Congratulations!
I hope all is going well. You sound in good spirits 😊

Ooh glad I read the thread. Congratulations on your dd! To answer the original question, I gave birth on my back. I'd read it was bad but when it came to it, I didn't have the energy to do anything else! I stood up at one point to get into the water bath thing (didn't want to, but had been told to by midwives), when I stood up, my waters gushed out and I got put on a trolley and rushed off somewhere where I continued giving birth lying on my back. I had an episiotomy and ventouse and tore, it wasn't a pleasant experience!

Anyway, congratulations again! Such a lovely update. Some of the threads I've read this morning are making me miss my dd's baby days. Enjoy it while you can, it's a lovely time. Hard and tiring, but lovely!

My second stage was very fast (25 min - first child) and super intense. My body got me into a kneeling, head down and bum in the air position which was its attempt to slow me down! I couldn’t have chosen another one, really, I just got in that and stayed there throughout paramedics telling me to move (no way was I moving).