Birth planning?? 🤰🤰

[Kayleyanniex]

Hi guys! I’m just thinking about how I would like to have my birth and what might help with pain. I was thinking I might want to stand up or at least be on my knees whilst giving birth as I think that might help me to deal with the pain better. Has anybody tried this way? Is it any better? Thanks 😊

I had my third (last) baby like that. On my knees, leaning over the sofa (home birth).

I tried to be upright when I had DC2 in hospital, but the midwife made me turn round so she could see what was happening. I'm convinced it made it take longer. It was also painful, and I tore.

I found being upright less painful and much quicker - he just flew out, I didn't even push. I didn't tear either. I had a bit of gas and air, but that's all I needed for pain relief.

I had ds2 in the pool, it allowed me to move around and find comfy positions. In the end I was squatting but learning back against dh, so a bit of a weird position, but it felt comfy.
I also was on my knees bent over the side of the pool, laying right back, so basically floating in the water and just plain squatting too.
I didn't end up with any pain relief as I labour fast

Babies number 2 and3 - both standing up and out in 2-3 pushes about 20mins after getting to hospital so for me gravity deffo helped. Just do what feels comfortable you can’t really plan rheee things! Good luck

It's definitely a good idea to think about what you options are for birthing positions, but I'd say go with your instincts of what feels right at the time. Depending on the position of baby you might find one thing if going to work better for you than another.

I thought being on knees leaning against a bed would be helpful to me, turns out on the night that really really wasn't going to be my best option. Just go with the flow!

I’d been doing yoga just on YouTube with first pregnancy & using the yoga ball for exercises and stretches etc.Doing same this pregnancy too.The things I did later then helped during labour & delivery & positions I had been using etc. Definately explore different positions & see what feels good for you whilst pregnant as it may help during the process. Also hypnobirthing!

Your body will tell you which position to be in.

I'd say just to ensure you discuss with your midwife about the need to be mobile to find your own position. I had quick births and had to be upright else I found the pain overwhelming but I found that for myself. (Edit to add: when upright I found it very manageable and controllable with breathing)

I'd really recommend hypnobirthing too. The positive birthing company talks about this exact thing.

My birth plan was 'do what you need to do to ensure my baby arrives safely'!

There is nothing more needed!! You cannot 'plan a birth'

No, but you can have preferences and writing a birth plan is useful so that you know your options. It also informs you on using the BRAIN framework to aid with quick decisions.
For example if a woman decides she would prefer to be upright then requesting monitoring using a long wire is important. Likewise some epidurals allow less movement.
It's not about have a rigid fixed plan, instead ensuring you are fully informed and getting as much information as you can on one of the biggest physical events of your life can never be a bad thing.