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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Labour Position

20 replies

19annie86 · 21/10/2021 19:18

May sound like a silly question, and I know maybe in the middle of labour you won't care who sees what etc, but can you decide to give birth laying on ur back rather than on all four like I have seen some women do, sounds so silly but the less of my body I have on show the more comfortable I will be

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Yellow85 · 21/10/2021 19:20

I imagine you can do what you like, albeit the position of the baby may dictate.

Had 2 babies and have never given birth on all 4’s.

NameChange30 · 21/10/2021 19:31

Lying on your back is a terrible idea.
It's more painful and difficult to give birth that way.

rosesandsalvia · 21/10/2021 19:32

Yes. You can give birth in whatever position you feel comfortable in (bar emergency may dictate birthing on back to give doctors a clearer view). Have you considered a water birth? Then your body is sort of hidden under the water.

JLQ1020 · 21/10/2021 19:34

On your back is actually the most difficult way to give birth. Whne ur in labour u won't care u just want the baby out.

Sorbfsiabs · 21/10/2021 19:37

Everyone said to me that I wouldnt care while in labour. I absolutely did. Have you considered a long nightie? That way it doesn't matter too much what position you are in?

mummyh2016 · 21/10/2021 19:37

Yep, I was on my back, although it is supposed to be the hardest it was the comfiest position I could get in.

ProcrastinationIsMySuperPower · 21/10/2021 19:38

I was on my back for both of my deliveries because of having to be on constant monitoring. I was really worried about being exposed too, but honestly didn't care when I was in the thick of it!
Do stay as upright as you can for as long as you can - it really does help.
But ultimately, it's your decision unless the health of your baby dictates otherwise.

tumtitum · 21/10/2021 19:40

I gave birth to my first on my back and although it was painful it was actually really only way I could push! Had my second in the water and on my knees with elbows on the side and it was great, way easier and I didn't feel exposed. Midwives helped me with both to find the most comfortable position.

NeverHadANickname · 21/10/2021 19:42

The position I found most comfortable was on my knees facing the back of the raised bed with my elbows on the back of the bed. I didn't feel very exposed and the pain was so much worse when I was on my back. Surely you are more exposed on your back? Or are you meaning covered with a sheet or something?

jamsandwich1 · 21/10/2021 19:45

For my first I was on my back. I was in so much pain I couldn’t take the thought of moving into another position. Second time round I just went on all fours on the floor and shoved my face in a beanbag. Whatever works for you at the time!

Original poster

19annie86 · 21/10/2021 19:48

This will be my first baby, by exposed I mean if u r on all fours will your bum not be on show, I no I am being silly but it's just something I have been thinking about

OP posts:

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 21/10/2021 19:51

I am massively self-conscious about my body and normally spend my time wearing baggy clothes to hide it. Whilst in labour with DD2, I was so hot and uncomfortable and in pain that I stripped off completely. I gave birth on my back both times but it wasn’t from wanting dignity.

stormelf · 21/10/2021 19:55

With my first I found the birthing stool the most comfortable position but due to complications I did end up giving birth on my back. With my second I gave birth on my back but again due to necessity (I was in an ambulance at the time)

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 21/10/2021 19:58

You won't care
I mean I didn't believe it when women told me that but it's true
You really won't care, you'll just want to be in as least pain as possible. When they tried to get me on the bed to monitor it ramped the pain up to 11 so I refused. Standing up was more bearable so standing up I did. I expect all fours would have been similar if I had been on the bed when I started pushing.

mathanxiety · 21/10/2021 20:22

You are not going to be able to give birth without exposing your ass to whoever is in the room no matter what position you're in, bar a water birth.

You are also probably going to poop when you start pushing, right there with whoever else is on the room with you.

Unicornflakegirl · 21/10/2021 20:35

You could always wear something loose to cover you if you want.
You may be like a PP and not care when you're in labour but it's patronising fir people to suggest that OP definitely won't care, some women still do.
I'm not one of them in a medical setting and would absolutely prioritise comfort and letting gravity help over supposed dignity, but some close friends are very self-conscious and remained so during labour, and were embarrassed by having midwives look at their vaginas even when there was a baby on their way out!

boymum88 · 21/10/2021 20:36

You can give birth in any position you like unless the medical team advise otherwise. Had my 1st in a bed with my legs up, that was due to baby being Prem so had constant monitoring, it's was such a shock as I was only 28 weeks so did what I was told, what I can remember was them asking me to open my legs wider and me screaming they don't go any f ing wider

2nd dc I pretty much stripped off as soon as I got into the room ( I'm not shy and didn't care- was hot and it felt natural) tired a water birth, didn't like it lasted 10 mins so got out and went on all fours next to the pool, it felt very animalistic if you will my body just sort of took over.

If your worried take a big baggy top and tell the midwife's they will try and keep you covered as much as they can. They may give you a bed sheet to cover up say if your on all fours and they will just expose what they need to

PurpleEchoLamp · 21/10/2021 20:38

Having given birth 5 times, I'm convinced human birth is by far easier on all fours. And I'm also fairly convinced you won't give a toss about your bare arse!

Flowerpowwer6 · 21/10/2021 20:44

I think you need to stand obviously not for the whole duration but I am baffled how anyone manages to push sat on a bed. Surely it's more difficult to bear down... I just rember the midwife telling me to get on the bed that was up in the air... I said I couldn't!

My nan asked me after why I stood like I was strange.. it was a quick labour 30mins there's no way I could of got DS out sat on a bed.

Narwhalsh · 21/10/2021 21:50

Positions where you aren’t on your back are meant to make for easier/quicker pushing phases-certainly I was much quicker with my second baby when I was on my knees and leaning over the back of the bed which was upright vs first which was on my back in stirrups. Also didn’t tear with second while had a second degree with first. Second was 2.5 lbs bigger than first so I’m sure it was all about the position!

If you’re not in a hospital gown then you could look at something like a big t shirt/nightie but in all honestly when you get to transition and then pushing you really do not give two hoots who sees your bum!

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