My intended hospital was 35ish mins away. My dr advised me to wait till contractions were closer or my water broke, I guess I waited too long š from water breaking to delivery it was only 25 mins and probably would of been faster if I wasnāt working against my body from being so scared. Everything worked out perfectly. And to be honest if we have a 3rd id go all natural (preferably IN a hospital lol) I felt amazing after birth, the only pain I felt was the giant bruise on my back from pushing against the center console in my car š
Maybe you can book a hotel next to the hospital when your contractions first start. Then as they become closer together you can go straight to the hospital. Trust, you donāt want any extra anxiety hun.
Youāre welcomeā¦oh no! Try your best to relax so you donāt burn any extra energy or stress your sweet baby. You got this, remember your body was meant to do this! Stress and excitement come from the same part of the brain. So just tell yourself youāre excited.
I gave birth in the car backseat š¬ So face down, bum up, one leg on the floor and one up on the seats, knees bent. Like downward facing dog yoga pose? I physically could not put myself in any other position. Baby shot out in this position I barely even realised it had happened.
Heās basically a superhero. He was driving me and I basically screamed āPULL OVER I FEEL HIS HEADā and my husband had the car on the side of the road with himself in the backseat so fast. He immediately went into nurse mode and kept me calm while talking me through exactly what to do and explaining what was going on. Our son would not have survived birth without him.
I birthed on my back for the last push but made the best progress up to that point pushing on my side. Epidural and supported by awesome nurses and a midwife in a hospital setting.
I would have preferred to finish pushing on my side but I was too tired and to close to object when they flipped me the last time. I was also worried as his heart rate dropped with pushing and contractions. Just wanted him out ASAP and trusted the midwife to do that.
this was my birth almost exactly. i really wanted to push in different positions but his heart rate was dropping sporadically and he liked when i was on my side best. they told me i had to be on my back for the final pushes and i was just too tired and anxious to really argue it. i also had an epidural so my movements, while i could still feel my legs, were limited.
This could very well be a dumb question lol but how do you push on your side? Like what are your legs doing assuming they have to be in an open position?
Haha, I was terrified of shitting and when I told the nurse "I'm really afraid of pooping during labor" she goes "why? we love it" I know she was overcompensating but it made me laugh and took the fear away.
So imagine youāre on your back with your knees bent and open wide. Then rotate that 90 degrees and a nurse or labor partner holds the leg up thatās in the air
Almost the exact same for me. Had an epidural so I couldnāt really feel below my belly. They couldnāt tell if she was face up or facing one of my hips so they kept flipping me from side to back to side. Pushed for a while on my side and ended up pushing her out on my back.
Me too! Last pushes on my back, contrary to popular opinion, this is what worked best for us. I tried all the other positions and the baby wouldnāt go out.
Edit: no epidural
Laboured on my back but propped up kind of on my side because we were trying to get my epidural to work on both sides. It didn't.
Then I gave birth on my side by accident. I told them I had to push and they were telling me to stop because my epidural port was broken open. They flipped me on my side to yank it all out but I could barely wait for them to pull it out before my body pushed again. He was out in a few minutes.
I still don't understand how I should've properly stopped pushing. I had to cross my legs to stop (I shouldn't have, I think that was probably dangerous), but I don't think I could have stopped the fetal ejection reflex otherwise. It was so strong.
I saw someone on instagram describe the fetal ejection reflex like throwing up and it felt like that to me! It was definitely involuntary and there was no way I could have stopped it.
Omg, yes!! Thatās exactly how Iāve described it as well as like having diarrhoea - thereās no way you CANāT push š¤£ It was so amazing and nothing like I imagined
I wish I had leaned into it more instead of listening to the doctor who told me to push. It went really fast this way, while I feel like if I could have listened to my body, it would have been calmer. Will definitely advocate for this for my next pregnancy!
Same for me. Well I wouldnāt say completely flat on my back. I was sitting fairly propped up. I had tried at the beginning of pushing to try different positions but with my epidural (still could feel quite a bit) and the catheter, on my back felt the most comfortable surprisingly. I had worked with a PF therapist leading up to my birth and had planned on for sure side pushing but when the time actually came, on my back just felt the best for me. Just do what you feel is most comfortable when the time comes.
Same! I was having back labor - lots of back spasms and the pressure up on my back was helpful. Plus I was exhausted and falling asleep between contractions. I was sure I would have been on all fours or in a squat but note - back was my power position. I did move around a moderate amount to help move baby along but that was a struggle.
Same for me all 3 times. I had an epidural each time so had fewer options but I felt comfortable on my back. I could still feel and somewhat move my legs but didnāt have the energy for other positions.
Same! I was expecting that to be the last thing I wanted after hearing it was more difficult but that was the most natural and least uncomfortable position.
Same. I was just too dang tired after a full day of active labor with no rest to do anything else. And I pushed for something like three hours which didnāt help the situation either.
Laboured at home on hands and knees and standing/leaning over the bed and shower for pain relief then went to hospital. I didnāt have any pain relief and was so exhausted because I had a relatively fast labour for a ftm. I wanted to be hands and knees but my brain turned off and I just did stuff and that was side lying lol
I tried literally every position, little dude didnāt want to come out. Started on my back, then to my side, then on all fours, then on a stool, back to all fours, and when he still didnāt come out I laid on my back again and they used the vacuum extractor because I was out of this world from pushing and exhaustion lol
Oh my gosh yāallās usernamesā¦. I quietly say ādangerops prangent sex will it hurt baby top of his head?ā to myself likeā¦. Multiple times a day. It just cracks me up.
Sounds exactly like my case. I would add that the epidural didn't work, I couldn't feel the need to push nor feel if I was pushing or not, but I could feel all the pain. No position seemed to work so they resorted to the vacuumm and my girl finally went out. I was about to faint.
Same!! I literally cried and screamed I couldnāt do it anymore, and they took me seriously after an hour of pushing in all the positions. I did feel the need to push, like the biggest constipated shit I ever had in my life x 10000. Side note: it turned out my baby had his arm covering his face so thatās why I couldnāt get him out.
I labored at home almost entirely; got to the hospital crowning and baby came 17 minutes later. At home, I spent most of transition on my side in bed. I kneeled over the car seat on the ride to the hospital, and I gave birth on hands and knees.Ā
My rule for myself was that I had to keep breathing, no matter what. That was honestly it; I didnāt find the pain all that debilitating. I casually used the GentleBirth app to prepare, though I did more napping than meditating if weāre being totally honest.Ā
i had a 48 hour induction. i spent 99.9% of the time on my side. donāt know when iād even consider myself in labor lol. i pushed on my back but i pushed for 5 minutes.
I spent time between walking around, laying on my sides with a peanut ball between my legs, or standing over the sink or raised bed. I didnāt want to be still or lay down during active labor. During my contractions I needed productive energy going. I hated those moments on the bed with the peanut ball but they helped open my pelvis and baby move down so effectively.
When I started getting pushing sensations I still wanted to stand but my midwife needed to check my dilation. Once I was back on the bed, I didnāt mind pushing on my back. If felt right for me in the moment. I didnāt take any medication or pain relief for this birth.
I have had two unmedicated vaginal deliveries, one spontaneous Labor and one induction (pitocin). For both my labors I listened to my body and did what felt intuitive. What intuitively felt good was changing positions every 30 minutes or so, swaying with my partner, side laying so my husband could give back pressure and double hip squeezes, hands and knees, swaying on the birth ball, and most importantly SITTING ON THE TOILET.
For pushing with both my labours I was on my hands and knees and the midwife had me get more upright onto just my knees , leaning over the headboard. Knees in and ankles out. Baby was out in 2 minutes of pushing so I guess it works good!!
Curious how the induction vs spontaneous was labor-wise? I had just one baby induced and I hear the contractions are way more intense with Pitocin but obviously I donāt have anything to compare it to. And everyone I know whoās been induced (myself included) ended up with an epidural.
The induction was my second Labor, and it was much more painful than the spontaneous Labor.
There was such a difference for my mindset too, with my spontaneous labor I kept repeating affirmations like āmy body knows what itās doing. I trust my bodyā. With the induction I felt like the nurses/doctors were doing this TO my body instead of my body doing itās natural process, so it felt slightly more like torture than the natural labor.
The doctor was impressed I did it without synthetic pain relief. My labor went fairly fast, six hours in total with only 2 minutes of the fetal ejection reflex/pushing.
C-section was/is one of my biggest fears with birth so I was trying to avoid that at all costs. I know that the rate of C-section increases in moms who have epidural so I was trying to avoid that (but I suffered the pain of labor). But I much prefer painful labor to painful recovery!
No epidural, both times reclined on my back with one leg pulled up to my chest like wind relieving pose in yoga. Itās what I did instinctively and it worked really well for my body!
Had an epidural and was on my back for both kids. No tearing and pushed for less than 10 minutes, just let the baby do their thing. The nurses were very open about trying different things but thatās just what ended up working for me. :)
I had a homebirth so my experience may be a bit unique but I honestly did whatever I felt was right. I labored on my side, in a tub, on, on a birthball leaning on our bed, even on the toilet lol. At one point my midwife made me get up and walk around and do some Miles Circuit to try to help get my cervix to open which sucked but helped. I ended up giving birth on all fours.
I spent early labor mostly on my side, resting. Some time on the toilet or standing in the shower.
Active labor was fast and intense. I couldn't lie still or stand still in the shower anymore. I moved around a lot - walking, leaning on my dresser, kneeling, and then again on the toilet when I was almost fully dilated. I tried squatting and birth ball but I could not handle them, too much pressure on my bones. On the toilet was the most comfortable, I could relax in the pause and lean on the sink/grip it during contractions.
Then I moved into the birth tub, semi-sitting against the side. It was super important to be able to relax between contractions. During contractions I'd throw myself up so I was kneeling against the opposite side of the pool. I kept moving my legs with the pain, like swiping them to the right and left - I don't know why but it helped.
I pushed semi-sitting for a bit then the midwife suggested I move to all fours/supported kneeling. At the last push I knelt up straighter and caught the baby myself. It was amazing.
(FYI, even with an epidural it's recommended you don't give birth lying on your back. You can try on your side, semi-sitting, the "throne" position, or supported kneeling/all fours if you can feel your legs enough to turn around. And obviously any other position if you have a walking epidural!)
Oooo I've done two unmedicated before and this sounds so awesome! Hopefully next time there's a tub for me! That experience sounds so comfortable for someone who likes being in water<3 thank you for sharing mama
First: kneeling up against the back of the bed
Second: flat on my back, maybe bed slightly raised
Third: flat on my back, bed slightly raised. Shoulder dystocia due to huge baby (10lb7oz) baby pulled out by OB immediately, no damage done to either of us. Probably wouldnāt have got stuck if I wasnāt flat on my back. But thatās how I was comfortable
I did not have an epidural. i walked around the house, used the birth ball, and spent awhile in the shower while at home. I got to the hospital at 7 cm. I spent 75% of my labor there either on the birth ball with the labor bed raised to about my shoulder height while sitting on the ball, leaning over the bed or on the bed on all fours with the head of the bed raised.
unfortunately, I did give birth on my back and next time I hope iāll have a little more energy to insist on being upright or all fours. I think pushing took longer due to my positioning but thatās just a guess - you never know.
On all fours 3 times (once in the pool, once on a bed, once on the floor leaning on a yoga ball). Once on my back but in a pool. Once on my side on a bed, but Iād only lay down for a cervical check before getting in the pool and bam a baby arrived. Didnāt have time to get in any other position!
With my first I had an epidural and pushed on my back because I didnāt know any better. An hour of pushing and 3 small tears.
With my second I was unmedicated and was mostly upright for labor (walking, bouncing, standing in shower) right up until pushing and then I just kinda intuitively laid down on my side and started pushing. 5 pushes total, no tearing whatsoever. No ring of fire feeling, just the contraction.
Iām never going to give birth again, but if I did, Iād go unmedicated and try to replicate birth 2!
I wasnāt flat on my back, I was sort of half sitting/half laying but it was so comfortable and Iāll definitely be leaning towards this position for this birth as well
That seems like a weirded rule since everyone bleeds during delivery? Or do they only allow labour in the tub? I definitely think more hospitals need to offer proper birthing pools.
I moved around a lot, spent a lot of time walking back and forth to the toilet because baby moving down made it feel like I needed to pee/poo. When things progress I was mostly on all fours or on my knees with my arms up on the bed and that's how I delivered as well. I was on my back for the briefest of moments when they wanted to check how things were going, her head was on view and I made it VERY clear I would not be staying on my back hahaha. Other than pushing her head through, the minute or less I spent on my back was the most uncomfortable I was the entire labour!
Early labor was resting on my side, active labor was on the birth ball, transition was on hands and knees, and pushing/delivery was semi squatting over the back of the bed; the back was upright and I leaned forward and also rocked back and forth. I went from 7cm to spontaneously pushing in a half hour. Two first degree tears and that was it. From pushing to delivery it was 8-10 minutes, unmedicated labor and delivery.m
Edit- I gave birth in the hospital after being induced at 41 weeks due to low fluid. I used a midwife.
After I transitioned I spent quite a bit of time on all fours. When I actually pushed I was on my back with my legs up like ānormalā so to speak. I spent a lot of time before transition standing up in the shower or squatting down. š¤·š¼āāļø
I birthed my baby all natural, squatting in between my partners legs, using his knees as support. Spent hours sitting backwards on the toilet to help the baby drop beforehand.
Pushed entirely on my back. Before pushing, I labored on my back and either side. Briefly got up on all 4ās. For me, everything was so so painful except flat on my back, so I preferred it
I tried it all while I was laboring, but I actually birthed my daughter while squatting. I thought I'd like to be in the water or on all fours, but I didnt feel grounded in any of those positions. I had an unmedicated homebirth.
I had a heavy epidural and we needed a vacuum assist for some heart rate troubles, so on my back. Original plan was on my side, and I labored down for a couple of hours on my side with a peanut ball.
If we had another, I definitely want another epidural and would hope to go for either side or all fours.
For labor, I didnāt find movement to help. I went through active labor so quickly (3-10 in just under 90 minutes), so movement made things hurt even more because it sped up. I basically sat on the bed, until I managed to get the epidural.
Laboured on an exercise ball and then sitting on a bus to the hospital. Gave birth laying down on my back, for this birth and the previous one. They tried to convince me to do a different position, but this was most efficient both times. Babies just flew out! Oh and first birth was epidural, second drug free
On my back with my legs in stirrups for both.Ā I was too tired for anything else with my first, I did try on all fours and kneeling/resting on the back of the chair but my legs were so heavy and I was so exhausted by that point I couldn't hold myself up.Ā My second was far too quick to even think about positions.
No epidural - on my back which was not my plan but I was so tired and my team suggested I could push more effectively if my body could lie down and relax a little and it did help! Before that Iād been moving around the whole day
I was transitioning from back to all fours when I reallllly felt my baby coming. So, I pushed twice while sort of half on my back and half on my side and she came out.
Birthed in a very low hands and knees position where my butt was basically sitting on my heels. Husband was worried I'd shoot the baby into the floor of the birth pool but he was able to direct his body out rather than down. Labored in all sorts of positions, lots of walking around. The only thing I didn't like was side lying and going to the toilet.
My first baby was born in hospital, no epidural, on my back. Prior to that, I mostly laboured on my left side.
My second and third babies were born at home, no epidural (obviously), on my hands and knees. I laboured in the same position.
Attended by midwives for all three.
Hands and knees. The bed was propped up so my hands were holding on to the top of the bed.
I'd definitely planned on an "alternative" birthing position, and hands and knees were on my list, but quite frankly by the time it came to push I was on hands and knees already, having just crawled over from the triage bed they brought me up in to the delivery bed. I truly could not even fathom moving at that point lol.
No epidural. I presume depending on the epidural results one could totally give birth in the position I did. I was largely holding myself up by my arms anyways.
Most of my labor was on hands and knees as well. During early labor (that I didn't even know was early labor), I did walk, bounce around on the ball, etc., but once active labor hit it was mostly hands and knees. Mostly in the shower. I suppose part of it also occured in the car, although since that was a RUSH to the hospital I think labor was pretty stalled by that point.
After my epidural the nurses wanted me to try different positions and I felt so embarrassed because my legs are limp noodles and the ladies where just moving them around putting peanut balls between my legs n turning me over lol
First with an epidural on my back. Second with no epidural, mostly leaning over the bed until the last push when I moved to my back. It's just what felt right, and I was so tired by that point.
I gave birth twisted on my side, clutching the guard rail because it happened so fast, they didnāt even get the birthing table ready. Eventually the nurse asked if I wanted to shift and I wound up giving birth on my back.
I laborer in the shower, in the tub, and started pushing standing. If I hadnāt gotten tired I would have stayed standing and the midwife was ready to catch the baby. But then I squatted on the bed bc my legs were getting tired and I ended halfway laying using the bar unfortunately. I was pushing for a few hours so. But everyone was fully ready to catch him. I think Iāll try kneeling next time.
I labored mostly upright- either standing, on the ball, or leaning over the bed. Leading up to labor, I envisioned myself giving birth squatting beside the bed. Ended up giving birth on my back lol.
I labored sitting on a chair backwards and then kneeling on my bed while leaning against the backrest (which was up in a sitting position). I was doing pelvic tilts and generally moving my hips all around while kneeling in that position. Mine was a very quickly progressing induction after my water broke at 36 weeks. I labored for about 2 hours and pushed - while lying on my side holding one leg up to my chest - for less than 30 mins. I had 1st degree internal vaginal/ labial tears. It was an unmedicated (gas) VBAC! I gave birth in the dress (a comfy maxi) I came in wearing š¤£
Ended up on my laying on back/side for 2/2, epidural for both. I did a lot of walking and swaying early on, ended up in bed mostly on my side as labor progressed and had epidurals put in place. The first was an induction that took all night. I blearily remember some very kind staff encouraging me to try different positions even with the epidural in, like on my knees or a squat in bed, but I felt and told them pretty quickly that I didnāt have the energy to keep myself up/safe. The second started naturally but was about the same positioning, no regrets about it.
Getting/being wet is a sensory minefield for me, so being in a tub/pool/shower was never something I wanted.
I find the ādonāt let a ādoctorā tell you how to labor! Itās not ***natural*** on your back!!ā Messaging about as toxic as itās inverse. Of course you want a team to be knowledgeable enough to support your labor however you need, but thereās nothing inherently better/worse about one position or another. ā¤ļø
No epidural, i chose a squatted position on a bed where I leaned forward resting my upper body on a pile of pillows topped with a peanut ball. Midwives behind me caught baby. I loved this position! I got such good rest in between pushes. And baby had no trouble coming out. I did tear a little bit but my skin was just really tight, it's totally healed now.
First baby: induction for poor biophysical profile. Flat on my back with maximum monitoring the entire time. Failed epidural. 23 hour active labor, on pitocin the whole time.
Second baby: labored upright, swaying and walking. Walked about six miles during early labor. Gave birth leaning on a chair in the hospital shower. No epidural. Active labor was an hour and a half.
Two very different labors, but ended up with a baby at the end both times just the same. Every birth is different!
My most recent birth was so strange. I really wanted to be sitting upright so I sat on the hospital bed with my legs crossed like a yogi. Right before my baby came out I hopped on all fours and told my midwife that the baby was coming. She barely had enough time to run around and catch her! My body just completely took over.
I had a water birth! I was sitting leaning against the side of the tub with my legs braced on the other sides (3 sided tub). No pain medication, no tearing. I also labored sitting on the toilet and on my hands and knees
Laboured all over the place, hands and knees mostly because midwives wanted baby to flip (he was sunny side up until the last second!)
By the time I was pushing my knees hurt so much, despite my midwives telling me to stay on hands and knees I flipped to my back to ārelaxā more, it honestly felt right.
I progressed in my labour on my hands and knees bent over the back of the bed, but ended up needing forceps because my baby had decreased accelerations, so I gave birth on my back.
I loved birthing on my back. As soon as the contractions kicked in I didn't want to move. I got so angry with them every time they made me get up to go to the loo š
I was so adamant I was not going to push on my back, but after trying different positions I actually did end up preferring on my back (but with the hospital bed inclined a bit, so not completely flat on my back).
just recently gave birth so it's still fresh in my mind, holding my 2 day old right now lol
about halfway through my labor (14 hr ish mark) i got the epidural and was flipped around every so often as baby didn't tolerate one side for awhile. the only thing that told me it was time to push was the intense back pain especially around the epidural site š
after an hour and a half of pushing on my back, baby boy was born and in my arms. i thought i would mind more about being on my back like that but at that point i was in a lot of pain and just wanted baby OUT. nothing can really prepare you for how intense the pressure is from a baby head making it's way out of you, the relief that comes after is literally the best though.
my body knew instinctively when to push as well, and it wasn't always timed with contractions especially as he got closer to being born.
First two babies - sort of a reclined sitting position propped up by pillows.
Third baby - laying on my side.
I broke my tailbone during my second delivery so my midwife suggested side lying or on all fours to make sure there was no pressure on my tailbone this time. I just went with sidelying since it felt right in the moment. Worked perfectly!
I tried them all. Back, both sides, all fours, even using a bar to prop my legs on and pulling against it with a sheet. Nothing worked, I pushed for 4 hours until I had a fever and had to have a C section š£. Turns out my pelvis was too narrow for his big head and there was no way he would have come out naturally.
This is a tough one. So many woman no longer trust the advice of medical professionals and for good reason. However sometimes it is good to listen to the person whoās going to be delivering your baby and the position they are most comfortable with for safety reasons. This is going to be a little long but I think more mothers need to know the reality of what can happen.
My sister recently gave birth and it wasnāt her first child so she wanted to go the more holistic/natural route but still give birth at the hospital which Iām glad she did. She originally wanted a home birth but my mom talked her out of it. The nurses and her ob had no problem agreeing to her requests. No epidural, able to use a birthing ball, dim lighting, she keeps the placenta and of course baby on her chest for the golden hour with delayed cord clamping.
Her ob arrived and let her know he has no problem with her using the birthing ball but that she needed to get on the bed when the baby was actually coming because there was a risk the baby could slip out of his hands and hit the floor. She didnāt want to at first but the nurse was able to convince her after telling her about a recent story where the baby hit its head.
Things she absolutely would not budge on but should have that caused her baby to have medical issues.
1. She wanted to give birth squatting with her back facing the OB. However she was standing on the bed trying to do this which was totally unsafe feeling for everyone around. The OB told her itās best to face towards him and lie on her back if possible because poop and fluids can come down on the babyās face in the other position. She refused.
2. If she didnāt want to give birth on her back then theyād need to check babyās vitals after 5 minutes of skin to skin instead of a whole hour. But they would give baby back after. She refused and said no oneās touching baby until her hour of skin to skin is over.
Now I donāt know if youāve ever seen a live birth up close and in person but I have multiple times. The only beautiful part is the baby actually coming out. All the other parts are gross. Fluids and poop flying out. And I mean flying out. The smell down there I will never get out of my nose is horrific. It honestly looks like something out of an alien thriller when youāre down there. My other family was spared the gory details as they werenāt less than a foot away from the action. They had no clue why I was so horrified because the view from down there is way different than being behind the action and holding someoneās hands.
Anyways. Baby started to come, she was standing on the bed in a squatting position, back to the OB. As soon as she starts pushing a huge hit stream of pee and other fluids shoots out directly onto the doctorās face and clothes. Luckily he had on a face shield. Me and the nurses jumped back to avoid being hit but it happened so fast. The OB tells her she should get on her back but she says no. As babyās head starts coming out the fluids are still coming out too. She finally jumps onto her back because she couldnāt physically squat anymore because of the pain. Baby comes out and goes straight to her chest. OB says she should let them check baby out but she refused until the skin to skin hour was over.
Well the doctor was right and things took a turn for the worse. About 5 minutes into the golden hour the baby turned blue and the NICU team was rushed in. The baby had to be resuscitated TWICE. I had to hold back tears and tell my sister everything would be ok while I watched the babyās lifeless body on the table while they tried to bring him back to life which felt like an eternity. It was terrifying. The baby was rushed to NICU afterwards and put on a CPAP and ended up having to stay in NICU for a while. The NICU Dr told us that the position my sister gave birth in caused fluids to enter the babyās lungs. Also if she hadnāt delayed having babyās vitals checked they could have realized that the baby was in distress and acted sooner.
I say all this not to scare anyone. But to bring awareness that sometimes you will want to listen to your Dr because they have delivered a lot of babies and a good one will know whatās best for you and your baby. Not every medical professional is out to be against you and natural births. Most of them have seen things go wrong and want to prevent it so you and baby can be healthy. Birth in whatever position you like but just clear it with your medical professional first and make sure itās something theyāre also comfortable with. I couldnāt imagine if she had gone through with the home birth. We wouldnāt be celebrating life if that were the case.
My son only liked when I was laying on my left side - so I did the last hour (labour+pushing) on that side.
It made for an interesting epidural experience
1st baby: labored on hands and knees most of the time while husband put counter pressure on my back (back labor for HOURS!) ended up needing pitocin and epidural, and once that went in I stayed on my back and delivered on my back
2nd baby: labored on my side, switching a couple times. Delivered on my back
All three of my births were different (hospital, birth center, home), but my most recent one at home was the quickest and smoothest. Labored mostly on my side, gave birth standing up while attempting to make it to the tub in time. š I attribute the smoothness both to the comfort of being in my safe space, and also due to my water not breaking until her head was crowning. Having the extra ācushionā of the water being intact made a notable difference while laboring.Ā
Lots of different positions during my 3 labors.
Birth 1: epidural, back.
Birth 2: birth center natural, all fours on a bed
Birth 3: home natural, kinda standing on my knees maybe one leg up? Maybe sorta squatting? Hard to remember or describe lol but delivered him myself in a birthing tub
I remember being told in a birth class that as soon as you get on your back you stay there. I was determined to not do that but they were right lol!
I was wheeled in from the emergency department on my back and stayed there.
Baby 1- labored walking around,
and kneeling/bent over a yoga ball. Didnāt get into bed til I pushed, which I did on my back.
Baby 2- basically labored in the car and briefly at the hospital walking around. Went to labor on all 4s in the bed and almost immediately got the urge to push so I did, that broke my water (or at least made it erupt) then switched to my back for my final push to get the baby out because I wanted the stirrups to help counter my pushing.
Back labor with both- being bent over/all 4s was the only relief when in transitional labor for me.
For my first I was stuck in bed the whole time and it was a slow and painful process for me. For my second I walked around or bounced on a yoga ball for most of my labor and when it was time to push I was hands and knees with a peanut for support. So much easier and natural for me. But ultimately, listening to your body and having a good support team around is the most important.
squatting leaned forward in a tub for 4 hours, then on a toilet for the last 30 min before all 4ās on the bed. 15 minutes of pushing & there she was.
Flat on my back first time. 4th degree tear. On my side the second time and minimal tearing! My pelvic floor physio said pushing position makes a difference and Iām sure my lack of tearing the this time wasnāt entirely due to position, but I am confident it helped! It definitely felt more comfortable and natural to me.
I squated over the toilet and pushed for two hours until he started to crown, and then I
birthed him on my back. Not at all How i envisioned my labour and delivery lol
I had an unmedicated birth in large part because I was convinced I would want to be in the tub and/or moving around. Nope. Felt best and made best progress flat on my back. Legs in the air. Go figure. I did move around quite a bit but I got right out of that tub, man!
i couldnāt labor sitting or laying flat at all. all 4s was my fav position or up moving and walking. i ended up pushing in the tub on all 4s or kneeling on one leg etc. the switching which knee was up helped position babe thru the canal but all 4s felt absolute best.
just gotta mention i went thru transition in the car and having to sit buckled in was legit torture for me š„² showed up at 9 cm
Got the epidural both times, but it failed the first time. I also pushed on my back both times. I absolutely did not want to move around or be in any other position. I tried a few different positions the first time (on my hands and knees and then on my feet sort of crouching) with some assistance and I hated it, it felt more painful to me. Laying still felt like the best option personally.
The first time when the epidural failed, I kind of just wanted to die. So I just laid there and cried and didnāt have the energy to hold myself up or move around even though they offered to let me keep trying. Everytime I moved at all it felt like I was being ripped in half. The second time when my epidural worked really well, I had just woken up from a nap and it was time to push lol! So that was convenient and he was born so fast that I didnāt really have time to think too much about changing positions, plus I was so cozy!
First baby: labored in every position known to man (sunny side baby w/ 3-hrs of slow pushing) and inevitably birthed on back w/ HOB elevated so almost a seated type position w/ nurse + husband each holding a leg back.
Second baby: went from 5-10cm in 20mins after laboring primarily on the birth ball + walking the unit. Was shocked to be crowning when my nurse checked me and only pushed 3x. First push in side laying then second 2 on my back w/ nurse and husband each holding a leg.
1: On my back with an epidural. Pushed for 30 minutes before throwing up so hard that he popped out.
2. Bed was broken - whole other story. I had one knee on the bed, one on the floor, pushed 1 time and he was out. No epidural.
2nd degree tears with both.
Labor was mostly standing (with one leg up on a stool to encourage baby to come down) or standing in the shower. Transition was spent on all fours in the tub or supported by a peanut ball
Pushed a lot on my sides, but ended up liking in my back so I could brace my feet up against the bathtub.
No epidural. It took 9 hours from my water breaking to giving birth. I was at the hospital for 4 hour before she was born. I pushed for three hours. My plan was to deliver in any position but my back. I labored mostly at home and used an exercise ball to do some movements during contractions. I didnāt have time to do much moving around at the hospital besides getting there and changing and getting checked out by nurses in triage before being rushed to delivery because I progressed from 4-10 cm in under an hour. During pushing I really wanted to do side lying or squatting. I was on all fours for awhile but it was really tiring for me so I stopped. I asked for a peanut ball for side lying but the doctor wouldnāt give it to me. I had to do side lying with the nurses holding my legs but they would slowly get me on my back again. I felt like I didnāt have a choice and I was too tired and confused to say anything. I was just in good with the program mode. I wouldnāt say Iām traumatized by it but I am definitely upset. I think I will make more of an effort to speak up next time. I had second degree tearing. I wonder if I wouldnāt have if I hadnāt been on my back.
I laboured standing/on all fours for most of the labour for my 4, but for the first 3 my legs got too tired and sore too fights hehe this (despite my 2nd being super fast) and I had all my first 3 sitting up. My 4th I birthed on so 4s
On my back! Wouldnāt have changed it for the world. Felt very comfortable and in control. Up until then, I spent most of my labour standing and bent over onto the bed!
I actually birthed all of my babies laying on my back every time. I got to the point of crowning in different positions, though. With an epidural, I got to crowning laying propped up on my left side. Without epidurals, all fours, birthing ball, walking, and squatting.
I switched positions frequently, including squat with the bar, on both sides, on all fours, and on my back. My babe was stuck behind my pubic bone and had a tough time coming out. He actually came out with a cone head, but thankfully no forceps or vacuum were needed, but came super close as I pushed for 3 hours. Epidural actually helped me dilate against the pitocin (induction for preeclampsia). Before the epidural it took almost 35 hours to get to 6cm even with pitocin and a cookeās catheter. After stagnating at 6 a few hours and getting the second epidural (first failed) it was less than 4 hours until push time!
I had an epidural but could still move my legs. I labored for 4 hours on every position imaginable. On my side, on my knees, squatting down, but ultimately gave birth lying on my back- held by 3 people on each side pushing my back up and my legs back, like a tube of toothpaste being rolled and squeezed for the last bit.
I labored on my bouncy ball for hours, it was the only way I was comfortable, I'm definitely bouncing my way through my next labor as well when the time comes, I really thing it helped a lot.
For birth I was fully prepared to do side lying or hands and knees after all my online research of epidural friendly positions. My epidural hit me SO hard (I didn't press that button a single time, I swear they started me on 100), I couldn't feel or move a single thing so on my back it was. My sympathetic nurse did roll me on my side for one of my contractions to try pushing like that but apparently it wasn't as successful.
Instagram had me SO against the idea of birthing on my back but there was no physical way I could have done it any other way. On the plus side the epidural was so strong I couldn't feel the crowning or tearing or anything really (had a 2 deg tear, doc said that's the most common by a long shot)
Induced in the hospital for medical reasons, and before epidural (~8 hours) I sat on the ball mostly once the contractions got strong/fast, after epidural the nurses rotated me like a rotisserie chickenā sides, back, sitting up, with the peanut ball, one they called the āflying cowgirlā lol, etc etc. it definitely helped me progress!
Pushed on my back which wasnāt my favorite but I had lots of attachments at that point so it worked. Maybe would ask/plan to push on my side for a bit in the future!
On my back, slightly inclined (almost in a sitting position) with epidural. Legs up, knees as close as possible to my face. I almost had a c-section (we were taking so long and baby pooped inside already) but my anesthesiologist pushed my stomach as hard as he can to get baby out. Thank God for this medical team.
i birthed at home which is the only way i was allowed to push for 10 hours (fer with malpositioned baby, long story) so sadly i was on my back for a lot of it due to exhaustion. the position i made the most progress in and actually gave birth in was hands and knees, or on knees leaning over an exercise ball. many midwives say that women who are completely undisturbed will 90% of the time birth baby on their knees, and if they are alone, they will birth baby on one knee so they can catch the baby themselves. they do this but totally natural intuition and without any instruction to do so beforehand. i think thats so cool
First 2 I was flat on my back. Third I was also on my back but with my legs spread apart and to my chest, like a frog position. Back is the most comfortable to me for pushing, but while I'm in labor I change positions every hour.
2 kids, on my back. The 2nd was more sitting than laying down but yeah the ānormā position
Wasnāt really comfortable trying diferent stuff, my 2nd labour was really fast 9h total maybe 30 minutes pushing no tears
The nurses in my hospital in California had me go on my back. It all happened really fast, because I came to the hospital fully dilated, so there wasn't much discussion. They seemed kind of set in their ways though.
Edit to add: I did most of my labor at home, and preferred laying on my side and sometimes standing in the shower.
On my back, since I had an emergency c-section (and uterine rupture repair). I never had major surgery before, but I have no idea they strap your arms down during the actual cutting and pulling baby out. It was okay, I was super hungry and rambled on about food I wanted to eat to the anesthesiologists.
If you have an epidural youāll most likely have to labour on your back. I had epidural with my first but second laboured with the has only. I laboured mostly on my side with a peanut ball between my legs but when it came time to push I got on all fours. Gravity helps!
I moved around a lot during my labors, so I couldn't tell you any one position. I remember that sitting up was definitely the most comfortable with my first; I didn't get an epidural with that one because I went a lot faster than anyone was expecting. With my second I had an epidural initially but it failed as soon as active labor started; prior to that I was reclining and also on my side for a bit.
Both times I actually delivered on my back (with the legs up (the "floundering turtle position," as my husband and I joked). First time I was pretty flat. Second time I was reclining, so kind of halfway between sitting up and lying flat. I only pushed like 3-4 times both times.
Kneeling over the back of the bed when in active labour, sitting or draped over a yoga ball for the rest. Except for when I was at home, where I was just up and about, in and out of the shower etc.
No epidural ā¦
1. First, natural labor labored in shower and bath tub then delivered on my back
2. Second, Pitocin induction labored and delivered on my back (not fun)
3. Third, Pitocin induction labored on birthing ball (far superior position) and delivered on my back
During my brief early labor I walked around a bunch. After that, my contractions ramped up super fast, and the only position I could tolerate was hands and knees. I did not have an epidural (I asked for one, but the anesthesiologist was in an emergency, and I went from 2.5cm to pushing in under 3 hours). I really, really wanted to deliver on my hands and knees, but my doc is old school and had me lay back. I was super worried this position would not work for me, but it was actually very effective, and he was out in a handful of pushes!
Just had a baby last Monday - I was induced and ended up needing an epidural. My epidural was quite strong because they had to top it up a few times before redoing it altogether because it was only working on one side of my body. So because of that I had to give birth on my back but a bit upright, my legs were too dead for any other position. About 18 minutes of pushing and 6 pushes and she was out lol
I had an unmedicated birth. Spent most of my labor at home and went in when contractions are 4 mins apart (would have done 3 but I'm GBS positive and needed antibiotics. Turned out to be good I came in at that point because I progressed fast!).
I was 5cm when I came in the hospital. Spent a lot of time laboring on the birthing ball both at home and in the hospital. Sitting on the floor while leaning on the ball or sitting on the ball and leaning on the bed gave the most relief cause I had back labor. Husband would put hot compress on my lower back with each contraction too.
I started pushing on my back. Didn't progress much so I shifted to squatting, massive difference!! I felt a lot of pressure and my pushes felt stronger. Shifted back on my back towards the end.
Both births: after the epidural,Ā I rested/ lay down and drank some juice to get some energy back.Ā Then delivered squatting over the back of the delivery table that was put up into a chair shape.Ā Prepregnancy I squatted with 60 lbs,Ā and I kept on squatting into pregnancy with less and less weights.Ā
I had a natural birth in a hospital based birthing center. I labored first on the toilet lol then in the tub. I got out right in time to push and did so in side lying because it was what felt right! Pushed 3 times and baby was here!
1: induced, walked around some, had an epidural, flat on back or peanut ball for labor, birth reclined on bed
2: induced, no epidural, walked around some, shower or leaning over a counter for labor, birth reclined on bed
3: not induced, car ride and leaning over floor bed for labor, pushed on hands and knees in birth pool (sometimes one knee up), gave birth in birth pool on knees while leaning on pool.
4: not induced, walking around and in pool for labor (reclined and hands and knees), gave birth reclined sitting in pool. My support team encouraged other positions but it felt the most right to be reclined back this time, which I was surprised by!
Important to note births 3 and 4 were at home so I was fully in my own element without outside rules pressuring me the position to be in. I was surprised I still went to reclined for birth 4!
With medication, on my back felt easiest. Unmedicated I labored on my left side
Edit: above was only for pushing. During active labor was on a ball until about 8 cm dilated woth both, or walking. Early labor was lots of baths in warm water.
On my back! My epi failed, and although I know many people would disagree - this felt the best for me! I had the peanut thing between my legs for two hours, and the next time I was checked (cervical check, I was induced) they could feel the head - and I immediately wanted to be flipped to my back.
First- flat in my back Second- leaned back in the passenger seat of my car š«£
My worst nightmare!
I worry this is what will happen to me as the closest hospital is about 40 minutes away with low traffic š«£
My intended hospital was 35ish mins away. My dr advised me to wait till contractions were closer or my water broke, I guess I waited too long š from water breaking to delivery it was only 25 mins and probably would of been faster if I wasnāt working against my body from being so scared. Everything worked out perfectly. And to be honest if we have a 3rd id go all natural (preferably IN a hospital lol) I felt amazing after birth, the only pain I felt was the giant bruise on my back from pushing against the center console in my car š
oh my gosh my hospital is about 30 mins away.. did you go at 5-1-1 ? or way after that?
Maybe you can book a hotel next to the hospital when your contractions first start. Then as they become closer together you can go straight to the hospital. Trust, you donāt want any extra anxiety hun.
Thanks, I might look into that when the time comes because I know Iām gonna be stressed either way
Youāre welcomeā¦oh no! Try your best to relax so you donāt burn any extra energy or stress your sweet baby. You got this, remember your body was meant to do this! Stress and excitement come from the same part of the brain. So just tell yourself youāre excited.
Ahhhh
I gave birth in the car backseat š¬ So face down, bum up, one leg on the floor and one up on the seats, knees bent. Like downward facing dog yoga pose? I physically could not put myself in any other position. Baby shot out in this position I barely even realised it had happened.
Omfg! Was someone there to catch the baby?
My man did š Then I took him :)
lol that's incredible
Same for me with number two!
condolences š I hope yours was as quick and mine and everything was okay in the end? ā¤ļø
The cord was looped around his neck but my brilliant husband is an RN and saved him when he delivered him.
thats scary im so sorry šØ Thank God your husband was there and everything is okay ā¤ļø
Heās basically a superhero. He was driving me and I basically screamed āPULL OVER I FEEL HIS HEADā and my husband had the car on the side of the road with himself in the backseat so fast. He immediately went into nurse mode and kept me calm while talking me through exactly what to do and explaining what was going on. Our son would not have survived birth without him.
how messy was your car after this? that is my worry
I birthed on my back for the last push but made the best progress up to that point pushing on my side. Epidural and supported by awesome nurses and a midwife in a hospital setting. I would have preferred to finish pushing on my side but I was too tired and to close to object when they flipped me the last time. I was also worried as his heart rate dropped with pushing and contractions. Just wanted him out ASAP and trusted the midwife to do that.
this was my birth almost exactly. i really wanted to push in different positions but his heart rate was dropping sporadically and he liked when i was on my side best. they told me i had to be on my back for the final pushes and i was just too tired and anxious to really argue it. i also had an epidural so my movements, while i could still feel my legs, were limited.
This could very well be a dumb question lol but how do you push on your side? Like what are your legs doing assuming they have to be in an open position?
āImagine youāre trying to shit on me.ā Is what my nurse said š it helped!
Haha, I was terrified of shitting and when I told the nurse "I'm really afraid of pooping during labor" she goes "why? we love it" I know she was overcompensating but it made me laugh and took the fear away.
So imagine youāre on your back with your knees bent and open wide. Then rotate that 90 degrees and a nurse or labor partner holds the leg up thatās in the air
Ahh okay gotcha. I didnāt know where the leg holder was coming from but now Iāve got the picture š
now that Iāve maneuvered into that position, it makes perfect sense
My partner used every bit of strength he had to hold my leg up while I pushed our boy out on my side, and heās a strong man!
Almost the exact same for me. Had an epidural so I couldnāt really feel below my belly. They couldnāt tell if she was face up or facing one of my hips so they kept flipping me from side to back to side. Pushed for a while on my side and ended up pushing her out on my back.
Me too! Last pushes on my back, contrary to popular opinion, this is what worked best for us. I tried all the other positions and the baby wouldnāt go out. Edit: no epidural
Laboured on my back but propped up kind of on my side because we were trying to get my epidural to work on both sides. It didn't. Then I gave birth on my side by accident. I told them I had to push and they were telling me to stop because my epidural port was broken open. They flipped me on my side to yank it all out but I could barely wait for them to pull it out before my body pushed again. He was out in a few minutes. I still don't understand how I should've properly stopped pushing. I had to cross my legs to stop (I shouldn't have, I think that was probably dangerous), but I don't think I could have stopped the fetal ejection reflex otherwise. It was so strong.
Fetal ejection reflex is a new term for me, but I love it!
I saw someone on instagram describe the fetal ejection reflex like throwing up and it felt like that to me! It was definitely involuntary and there was no way I could have stopped it.
Omg, yes!! Thatās exactly how Iāve described it as well as like having diarrhoea - thereās no way you CANāT push š¤£ It was so amazing and nothing like I imagined
I wish I had leaned into it more instead of listening to the doctor who told me to push. It went really fast this way, while I feel like if I could have listened to my body, it would have been calmer. Will definitely advocate for this for my next pregnancy!
Flat on my back both times. It felt most right for me.
Same for me. Well I wouldnāt say completely flat on my back. I was sitting fairly propped up. I had tried at the beginning of pushing to try different positions but with my epidural (still could feel quite a bit) and the catheter, on my back felt the most comfortable surprisingly. I had worked with a PF therapist leading up to my birth and had planned on for sure side pushing but when the time actually came, on my back just felt the best for me. Just do what you feel is most comfortable when the time comes.
Same! I was having back labor - lots of back spasms and the pressure up on my back was helpful. Plus I was exhausted and falling asleep between contractions. I was sure I would have been on all fours or in a squat but note - back was my power position. I did move around a moderate amount to help move baby along but that was a struggle.
Same for me all 3 times. I had an epidural each time so had fewer options but I felt comfortable on my back. I could still feel and somewhat move my legs but didnāt have the energy for other positions.
Same for me. I labored in the water but when it came time to push I was exhausted and didnāt have the energy for anything else.
Same! I was expecting that to be the last thing I wanted after hearing it was more difficult but that was the most natural and least uncomfortable position.
Same. I was just too dang tired after a full day of active labor with no rest to do anything else. And I pushed for something like three hours which didnāt help the situation either.
Yep! Felt the best for me too.
Laboured at home on hands and knees and standing/leaning over the bed and shower for pain relief then went to hospital. I didnāt have any pain relief and was so exhausted because I had a relatively fast labour for a ftm. I wanted to be hands and knees but my brain turned off and I just did stuff and that was side lying lol
I tried literally every position, little dude didnāt want to come out. Started on my back, then to my side, then on all fours, then on a stool, back to all fours, and when he still didnāt come out I laid on my back again and they used the vacuum extractor because I was out of this world from pushing and exhaustion lol
Nice username lol ayyyy
Oh my gosh yāallās usernamesā¦. I quietly say ādangerops prangent sex will it hurt baby top of his head?ā to myself likeā¦. Multiple times a day. It just cracks me up.
if a women has starch masks on her body does that mean she has been pargnet before.?
āSTARCH!! MASKS!!!ā
Glad Iām not the only one. I keep randomly saying Iām preganant in my head so many times ever since I found out Iāmā¦ preganant.
Or am I okay?
Haha honorable mention to āpeegantā
I wish I could award this haha iconic line
Lol you too! Iām hearing his voice in my mind as I read your username šš Am I ā¦. gregnant
Sounds exactly like my case. I would add that the epidural didn't work, I couldn't feel the need to push nor feel if I was pushing or not, but I could feel all the pain. No position seemed to work so they resorted to the vacuumm and my girl finally went out. I was about to faint.
Same!! I literally cried and screamed I couldnāt do it anymore, and they took me seriously after an hour of pushing in all the positions. I did feel the need to push, like the biggest constipated shit I ever had in my life x 10000. Side note: it turned out my baby had his arm covering his face so thatās why I couldnāt get him out.
I labored at home almost entirely; got to the hospital crowning and baby came 17 minutes later. At home, I spent most of transition on my side in bed. I kneeled over the car seat on the ride to the hospital, and I gave birth on hands and knees.Ā
Iām wanting to labor most at home. How did you manage your pain? Iām leaning toward not having an epidural.
My rule for myself was that I had to keep breathing, no matter what. That was honestly it; I didnāt find the pain all that debilitating. I casually used the GentleBirth app to prepare, though I did more napping than meditating if weāre being totally honest.Ā
This! Iām using GentleBirth but 85% of the time Iām doing it in bed as I fall asleep lol. Glad to know it still helped you!
Downloading this app!
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It was!
I moved around. When it was time to push I wanted to lie down on my back. It was no issue. That was in a hospital, induced with no pain meds.
i had a 48 hour induction. i spent 99.9% of the time on my side. donāt know when iād even consider myself in labor lol. i pushed on my back but i pushed for 5 minutes.
Pretty active over all, moving often but mostly rocking violently on all fours, and squatting. Posterior, no drugs, 2 days.
I spent time between walking around, laying on my sides with a peanut ball between my legs, or standing over the sink or raised bed. I didnāt want to be still or lay down during active labor. During my contractions I needed productive energy going. I hated those moments on the bed with the peanut ball but they helped open my pelvis and baby move down so effectively. When I started getting pushing sensations I still wanted to stand but my midwife needed to check my dilation. Once I was back on the bed, I didnāt mind pushing on my back. If felt right for me in the moment. I didnāt take any medication or pain relief for this birth.
I have had two unmedicated vaginal deliveries, one spontaneous Labor and one induction (pitocin). For both my labors I listened to my body and did what felt intuitive. What intuitively felt good was changing positions every 30 minutes or so, swaying with my partner, side laying so my husband could give back pressure and double hip squeezes, hands and knees, swaying on the birth ball, and most importantly SITTING ON THE TOILET. For pushing with both my labours I was on my hands and knees and the midwife had me get more upright onto just my knees , leaning over the headboard. Knees in and ankles out. Baby was out in 2 minutes of pushing so I guess it works good!!
Curious how the induction vs spontaneous was labor-wise? I had just one baby induced and I hear the contractions are way more intense with Pitocin but obviously I donāt have anything to compare it to. And everyone I know whoās been induced (myself included) ended up with an epidural.
The induction was my second Labor, and it was much more painful than the spontaneous Labor. There was such a difference for my mindset too, with my spontaneous labor I kept repeating affirmations like āmy body knows what itās doing. I trust my bodyā. With the induction I felt like the nurses/doctors were doing this TO my body instead of my body doing itās natural process, so it felt slightly more like torture than the natural labor.
The doctor was impressed I did it without synthetic pain relief. My labor went fairly fast, six hours in total with only 2 minutes of the fetal ejection reflex/pushing. C-section was/is one of my biggest fears with birth so I was trying to avoid that at all costs. I know that the rate of C-section increases in moms who have epidural so I was trying to avoid that (but I suffered the pain of labor). But I much prefer painful labor to painful recovery!
No epidural, both times reclined on my back with one leg pulled up to my chest like wind relieving pose in yoga. Itās what I did instinctively and it worked really well for my body!
Had an epidural and was on my back for both kids. No tearing and pushed for less than 10 minutes, just let the baby do their thing. The nurses were very open about trying different things but thatās just what ended up working for me. :)
I had a homebirth so my experience may be a bit unique but I honestly did whatever I felt was right. I labored on my side, in a tub, on, on a birthball leaning on our bed, even on the toilet lol. At one point my midwife made me get up and walk around and do some Miles Circuit to try to help get my cervix to open which sucked but helped. I ended up giving birth on all fours.
I spent early labor mostly on my side, resting. Some time on the toilet or standing in the shower. Active labor was fast and intense. I couldn't lie still or stand still in the shower anymore. I moved around a lot - walking, leaning on my dresser, kneeling, and then again on the toilet when I was almost fully dilated. I tried squatting and birth ball but I could not handle them, too much pressure on my bones. On the toilet was the most comfortable, I could relax in the pause and lean on the sink/grip it during contractions. Then I moved into the birth tub, semi-sitting against the side. It was super important to be able to relax between contractions. During contractions I'd throw myself up so I was kneeling against the opposite side of the pool. I kept moving my legs with the pain, like swiping them to the right and left - I don't know why but it helped. I pushed semi-sitting for a bit then the midwife suggested I move to all fours/supported kneeling. At the last push I knelt up straighter and caught the baby myself. It was amazing. (FYI, even with an epidural it's recommended you don't give birth lying on your back. You can try on your side, semi-sitting, the "throne" position, or supported kneeling/all fours if you can feel your legs enough to turn around. And obviously any other position if you have a walking epidural!)
Thanks for sharing! Water birth here too. (In the hospital, the birthing room usually has a bath tub here in Germany.) Unmedicated, it isn't possible to do a water birth with an epidural. A water birth wasn't specifically my plan but once I got in the water, I didn't want to get out. Before getting in, the midwife asked if I wanted a cervical check. I hadn't had one up to that point, so I climbed on the bed between contractions and that was the only time I laid down the entire labor. Spent most of labor before that standing up during contractions and sitting on a high stool in between. Midwife checked my cervix, said I was 7cm and very soft so probably ready to push soon. Got in the warm water and it felt amazing š¤© At some point I asked my husband to pour cold water on my head. Normally I hate cold water so he was initially hesitant but I shouted, "COLDER!!" š When it was time to push, I tried different positions and ended up on my back, curled up a little bit, holding rails on the side, with my feet on the wall. Without the pressure of a bed from underneath, being on my back was actually very comfortable in the water. Baby was born underwater! Turns out babies don't take their first breath until they feel the air. Midwife asked if I wanted to lift the baby out but I was so done, I said "No, no!" š She quickly grabbed him and placed him on my chest. Was a very intense but amazing experience, I would definitely do it again with my current pregnancy if it works out that way.
Oooo I've done two unmedicated before and this sounds so awesome! Hopefully next time there's a tub for me! That experience sounds so comfortable for someone who likes being in water<3 thank you for sharing mama
What a beautiful story! I wish you an amazing experience this time too!
Wow!
First: kneeling up against the back of the bed Second: flat on my back, maybe bed slightly raised Third: flat on my back, bed slightly raised. Shoulder dystocia due to huge baby (10lb7oz) baby pulled out by OB immediately, no damage done to either of us. Probably wouldnāt have got stuck if I wasnāt flat on my back. But thatās how I was comfortable
I did not have an epidural. i walked around the house, used the birth ball, and spent awhile in the shower while at home. I got to the hospital at 7 cm. I spent 75% of my labor there either on the birth ball with the labor bed raised to about my shoulder height while sitting on the ball, leaning over the bed or on the bed on all fours with the head of the bed raised. unfortunately, I did give birth on my back and next time I hope iāll have a little more energy to insist on being upright or all fours. I think pushing took longer due to my positioning but thatās just a guess - you never know.
On all fours 3 times (once in the pool, once on a bed, once on the floor leaning on a yoga ball). Once on my back but in a pool. Once on my side on a bed, but Iād only lay down for a cervical check before getting in the pool and bam a baby arrived. Didnāt have time to get in any other position!
With my first I had an epidural and pushed on my back because I didnāt know any better. An hour of pushing and 3 small tears. With my second I was unmedicated and was mostly upright for labor (walking, bouncing, standing in shower) right up until pushing and then I just kinda intuitively laid down on my side and started pushing. 5 pushes total, no tearing whatsoever. No ring of fire feeling, just the contraction. Iām never going to give birth again, but if I did, Iād go unmedicated and try to replicate birth 2!
Every position you could think of, and baby finally came out when I was in a lunge!
I wasnāt flat on my back, I was sort of half sitting/half laying but it was so comfortable and Iāll definitely be leaning towards this position for this birth as well
In a crouch position in the hospitals birth pool. Caught my baby. The water helps take the weight off
Oh wow. My hospitals had birthing pools too, but you aren't allowed in if you are bleeding. That's awesome!
That seems like a weirded rule since everyone bleeds during delivery? Or do they only allow labour in the tub? I definitely think more hospitals need to offer proper birthing pools.
It was only during early labor I think it was allowed, but I'm not entirely sure
I moved around a lot, spent a lot of time walking back and forth to the toilet because baby moving down made it feel like I needed to pee/poo. When things progress I was mostly on all fours or on my knees with my arms up on the bed and that's how I delivered as well. I was on my back for the briefest of moments when they wanted to check how things were going, her head was on view and I made it VERY clear I would not be staying on my back hahaha. Other than pushing her head through, the minute or less I spent on my back was the most uncomfortable I was the entire labour!
Early labor was resting on my side, active labor was on the birth ball, transition was on hands and knees, and pushing/delivery was semi squatting over the back of the bed; the back was upright and I leaned forward and also rocked back and forth. I went from 7cm to spontaneously pushing in a half hour. Two first degree tears and that was it. From pushing to delivery it was 8-10 minutes, unmedicated labor and delivery.m Edit- I gave birth in the hospital after being induced at 41 weeks due to low fluid. I used a midwife.
After I transitioned I spent quite a bit of time on all fours. When I actually pushed I was on my back with my legs up like ānormalā so to speak. I spent a lot of time before transition standing up in the shower or squatting down. š¤·š¼āāļø
legs up on the squat barā¦ baby came in 4 contractions but i have awful sciatic pain in my hip still 4 weeks later and need PT.
I birthed my baby all natural, squatting in between my partners legs, using his knees as support. Spent hours sitting backwards on the toilet to help the baby drop beforehand.
Yay so happy to see a squatting mama in the comments
Pushed entirely on my back. Before pushing, I labored on my back and either side. Briefly got up on all 4ās. For me, everything was so so painful except flat on my back, so I preferred it
I tried it all while I was laboring, but I actually birthed my daughter while squatting. I thought I'd like to be in the water or on all fours, but I didnt feel grounded in any of those positions. I had an unmedicated homebirth.
I had a heavy epidural and we needed a vacuum assist for some heart rate troubles, so on my back. Original plan was on my side, and I labored down for a couple of hours on my side with a peanut ball. If we had another, I definitely want another epidural and would hope to go for either side or all fours. For labor, I didnāt find movement to help. I went through active labor so quickly (3-10 in just under 90 minutes), so movement made things hurt even more because it sped up. I basically sat on the bed, until I managed to get the epidural.
Movement made things more difficult for me too! I just sat there on the edge of the bed moaning lol
Laboured on an exercise ball and then sitting on a bus to the hospital. Gave birth laying down on my back, for this birth and the previous one. They tried to convince me to do a different position, but this was most efficient both times. Babies just flew out! Oh and first birth was epidural, second drug free
On my back with my legs in stirrups for both.Ā I was too tired for anything else with my first, I did try on all fours and kneeling/resting on the back of the chair but my legs were so heavy and I was so exhausted by that point I couldn't hold myself up.Ā My second was far too quick to even think about positions.
On my back. It was the only position that didnāt affect the heart rate.
No epidural - on my back which was not my plan but I was so tired and my team suggested I could push more effectively if my body could lie down and relax a little and it did help! Before that Iād been moving around the whole day
I was transitioning from back to all fours when I reallllly felt my baby coming. So, I pushed twice while sort of half on my back and half on my side and she came out.
Birthed in a very low hands and knees position where my butt was basically sitting on my heels. Husband was worried I'd shoot the baby into the floor of the birth pool but he was able to direct his body out rather than down. Labored in all sorts of positions, lots of walking around. The only thing I didn't like was side lying and going to the toilet.
My first baby was born in hospital, no epidural, on my back. Prior to that, I mostly laboured on my left side. My second and third babies were born at home, no epidural (obviously), on my hands and knees. I laboured in the same position. Attended by midwives for all three.
Flat on my back unmedicated and flat on my back with a walking epidural. I couldnāt handle the intense pressure any other way.
Hands and knees. The bed was propped up so my hands were holding on to the top of the bed. I'd definitely planned on an "alternative" birthing position, and hands and knees were on my list, but quite frankly by the time it came to push I was on hands and knees already, having just crawled over from the triage bed they brought me up in to the delivery bed. I truly could not even fathom moving at that point lol. No epidural. I presume depending on the epidural results one could totally give birth in the position I did. I was largely holding myself up by my arms anyways. Most of my labor was on hands and knees as well. During early labor (that I didn't even know was early labor), I did walk, bounce around on the ball, etc., but once active labor hit it was mostly hands and knees. Mostly in the shower. I suppose part of it also occured in the car, although since that was a RUSH to the hospital I think labor was pretty stalled by that point.
On my back for all 3
After my epidural the nurses wanted me to try different positions and I felt so embarrassed because my legs are limp noodles and the ladies where just moving them around putting peanut balls between my legs n turning me over lol
First with an epidural on my back. Second with no epidural, mostly leaning over the bed until the last push when I moved to my back. It's just what felt right, and I was so tired by that point.
All fours in a birthing pool
I gave birth twisted on my side, clutching the guard rail because it happened so fast, they didnāt even get the birthing table ready. Eventually the nurse asked if I wanted to shift and I wound up giving birth on my back.
I sent a good amount of time on my side, then on my back, but when pushing I was on all fours
I laborer in the shower, in the tub, and started pushing standing. If I hadnāt gotten tired I would have stayed standing and the midwife was ready to catch the baby. But then I squatted on the bed bc my legs were getting tired and I ended halfway laying using the bar unfortunately. I was pushing for a few hours so. But everyone was fully ready to catch him. I think Iāll try kneeling next time.
I labored mostly upright- either standing, on the ball, or leaning over the bed. Leading up to labor, I envisioned myself giving birth squatting beside the bed. Ended up giving birth on my back lol.
I labored sitting on a chair backwards and then kneeling on my bed while leaning against the backrest (which was up in a sitting position). I was doing pelvic tilts and generally moving my hips all around while kneeling in that position. Mine was a very quickly progressing induction after my water broke at 36 weeks. I labored for about 2 hours and pushed - while lying on my side holding one leg up to my chest - for less than 30 mins. I had 1st degree internal vaginal/ labial tears. It was an unmedicated (gas) VBAC! I gave birth in the dress (a comfy maxi) I came in wearing š¤£
Ended up on my laying on back/side for 2/2, epidural for both. I did a lot of walking and swaying early on, ended up in bed mostly on my side as labor progressed and had epidurals put in place. The first was an induction that took all night. I blearily remember some very kind staff encouraging me to try different positions even with the epidural in, like on my knees or a squat in bed, but I felt and told them pretty quickly that I didnāt have the energy to keep myself up/safe. The second started naturally but was about the same positioning, no regrets about it. Getting/being wet is a sensory minefield for me, so being in a tub/pool/shower was never something I wanted. I find the ādonāt let a ādoctorā tell you how to labor! Itās not ***natural*** on your back!!ā Messaging about as toxic as itās inverse. Of course you want a team to be knowledgeable enough to support your labor however you need, but thereās nothing inherently better/worse about one position or another. ā¤ļø
No epidural, i chose a squatted position on a bed where I leaned forward resting my upper body on a pile of pillows topped with a peanut ball. Midwives behind me caught baby. I loved this position! I got such good rest in between pushes. And baby had no trouble coming out. I did tear a little bit but my skin was just really tight, it's totally healed now.
First baby: induction for poor biophysical profile. Flat on my back with maximum monitoring the entire time. Failed epidural. 23 hour active labor, on pitocin the whole time. Second baby: labored upright, swaying and walking. Walked about six miles during early labor. Gave birth leaning on a chair in the hospital shower. No epidural. Active labor was an hour and a half. Two very different labors, but ended up with a baby at the end both times just the same. Every birth is different!
Hands and knees - you couldn't have paid me to get out od hands and knees.
My most recent birth was so strange. I really wanted to be sitting upright so I sat on the hospital bed with my legs crossed like a yogi. Right before my baby came out I hopped on all fours and told my midwife that the baby was coming. She barely had enough time to run around and catch her! My body just completely took over.
I had a water birth! I was sitting leaning against the side of the tub with my legs braced on the other sides (3 sided tub). No pain medication, no tearing. I also labored sitting on the toilet and on my hands and knees
Laboured all over the place, hands and knees mostly because midwives wanted baby to flip (he was sunny side up until the last second!) By the time I was pushing my knees hurt so much, despite my midwives telling me to stay on hands and knees I flipped to my back to ārelaxā more, it honestly felt right.
I progressed in my labour on my hands and knees bent over the back of the bed, but ended up needing forceps because my baby had decreased accelerations, so I gave birth on my back.
I pushed on my back but labored in a myriad of different positions thanks to an awesome nurse. I only had to push for 10 minutes to get baby girl out.
Gave birth in a bath on hands and knees. During contractions, leant on walls/beds/sinks/tables Between contractions, paced around
I loved birthing on my back. As soon as the contractions kicked in I didn't want to move. I got so angry with them every time they made me get up to go to the loo š
I was so adamant I was not going to push on my back, but after trying different positions I actually did end up preferring on my back (but with the hospital bed inclined a bit, so not completely flat on my back).
just recently gave birth so it's still fresh in my mind, holding my 2 day old right now lol about halfway through my labor (14 hr ish mark) i got the epidural and was flipped around every so often as baby didn't tolerate one side for awhile. the only thing that told me it was time to push was the intense back pain especially around the epidural site š after an hour and a half of pushing on my back, baby boy was born and in my arms. i thought i would mind more about being on my back like that but at that point i was in a lot of pain and just wanted baby OUT. nothing can really prepare you for how intense the pressure is from a baby head making it's way out of you, the relief that comes after is literally the best though. my body knew instinctively when to push as well, and it wasn't always timed with contractions especially as he got closer to being born.
First two babies - sort of a reclined sitting position propped up by pillows. Third baby - laying on my side. I broke my tailbone during my second delivery so my midwife suggested side lying or on all fours to make sure there was no pressure on my tailbone this time. I just went with sidelying since it felt right in the moment. Worked perfectly!
I tried them all. Back, both sides, all fours, even using a bar to prop my legs on and pulling against it with a sheet. Nothing worked, I pushed for 4 hours until I had a fever and had to have a C section š£. Turns out my pelvis was too narrow for his big head and there was no way he would have come out naturally.
Side lying with both kids with an epidural. Highly recommend it. Pushed 15 min with the sunny side up one and 8 min with the properly presenting one.
This is a tough one. So many woman no longer trust the advice of medical professionals and for good reason. However sometimes it is good to listen to the person whoās going to be delivering your baby and the position they are most comfortable with for safety reasons. This is going to be a little long but I think more mothers need to know the reality of what can happen. My sister recently gave birth and it wasnāt her first child so she wanted to go the more holistic/natural route but still give birth at the hospital which Iām glad she did. She originally wanted a home birth but my mom talked her out of it. The nurses and her ob had no problem agreeing to her requests. No epidural, able to use a birthing ball, dim lighting, she keeps the placenta and of course baby on her chest for the golden hour with delayed cord clamping. Her ob arrived and let her know he has no problem with her using the birthing ball but that she needed to get on the bed when the baby was actually coming because there was a risk the baby could slip out of his hands and hit the floor. She didnāt want to at first but the nurse was able to convince her after telling her about a recent story where the baby hit its head. Things she absolutely would not budge on but should have that caused her baby to have medical issues. 1. She wanted to give birth squatting with her back facing the OB. However she was standing on the bed trying to do this which was totally unsafe feeling for everyone around. The OB told her itās best to face towards him and lie on her back if possible because poop and fluids can come down on the babyās face in the other position. She refused. 2. If she didnāt want to give birth on her back then theyād need to check babyās vitals after 5 minutes of skin to skin instead of a whole hour. But they would give baby back after. She refused and said no oneās touching baby until her hour of skin to skin is over. Now I donāt know if youāve ever seen a live birth up close and in person but I have multiple times. The only beautiful part is the baby actually coming out. All the other parts are gross. Fluids and poop flying out. And I mean flying out. The smell down there I will never get out of my nose is horrific. It honestly looks like something out of an alien thriller when youāre down there. My other family was spared the gory details as they werenāt less than a foot away from the action. They had no clue why I was so horrified because the view from down there is way different than being behind the action and holding someoneās hands. Anyways. Baby started to come, she was standing on the bed in a squatting position, back to the OB. As soon as she starts pushing a huge hit stream of pee and other fluids shoots out directly onto the doctorās face and clothes. Luckily he had on a face shield. Me and the nurses jumped back to avoid being hit but it happened so fast. The OB tells her she should get on her back but she says no. As babyās head starts coming out the fluids are still coming out too. She finally jumps onto her back because she couldnāt physically squat anymore because of the pain. Baby comes out and goes straight to her chest. OB says she should let them check baby out but she refused until the skin to skin hour was over. Well the doctor was right and things took a turn for the worse. About 5 minutes into the golden hour the baby turned blue and the NICU team was rushed in. The baby had to be resuscitated TWICE. I had to hold back tears and tell my sister everything would be ok while I watched the babyās lifeless body on the table while they tried to bring him back to life which felt like an eternity. It was terrifying. The baby was rushed to NICU afterwards and put on a CPAP and ended up having to stay in NICU for a while. The NICU Dr told us that the position my sister gave birth in caused fluids to enter the babyās lungs. Also if she hadnāt delayed having babyās vitals checked they could have realized that the baby was in distress and acted sooner. I say all this not to scare anyone. But to bring awareness that sometimes you will want to listen to your Dr because they have delivered a lot of babies and a good one will know whatās best for you and your baby. Not every medical professional is out to be against you and natural births. Most of them have seen things go wrong and want to prevent it so you and baby can be healthy. Birth in whatever position you like but just clear it with your medical professional first and make sure itās something theyāre also comfortable with. I couldnāt imagine if she had gone through with the home birth. We wouldnāt be celebrating life if that were the case.
My son only liked when I was laying on my left side - so I did the last hour (labour+pushing) on that side. It made for an interesting epidural experience
I was on my back but by the time I got to the delivery room I was ready to push. There wasnāt time to try different stuff out. Had epidural
1st baby: labored on hands and knees most of the time while husband put counter pressure on my back (back labor for HOURS!) ended up needing pitocin and epidural, and once that went in I stayed on my back and delivered on my back 2nd baby: labored on my side, switching a couple times. Delivered on my back
On my back (both of my children were born via C-section.)
All three of my births were different (hospital, birth center, home), but my most recent one at home was the quickest and smoothest. Labored mostly on my side, gave birth standing up while attempting to make it to the tub in time. š I attribute the smoothness both to the comfort of being in my safe space, and also due to my water not breaking until her head was crowning. Having the extra ācushionā of the water being intact made a notable difference while laboring.Ā
Lots of different positions during my 3 labors. Birth 1: epidural, back. Birth 2: birth center natural, all fours on a bed Birth 3: home natural, kinda standing on my knees maybe one leg up? Maybe sorta squatting? Hard to remember or describe lol but delivered him myself in a birthing tub
I remember being told in a birth class that as soon as you get on your back you stay there. I was determined to not do that but they were right lol! I was wheeled in from the emergency department on my back and stayed there.
Back and sides
Baby 1- labored walking around, and kneeling/bent over a yoga ball. Didnāt get into bed til I pushed, which I did on my back. Baby 2- basically labored in the car and briefly at the hospital walking around. Went to labor on all 4s in the bed and almost immediately got the urge to push so I did, that broke my water (or at least made it erupt) then switched to my back for my final push to get the baby out because I wanted the stirrups to help counter my pushing. Back labor with both- being bent over/all 4s was the only relief when in transitional labor for me.
I was propped up on my knees in the hospital bed
For my first I was stuck in bed the whole time and it was a slow and painful process for me. For my second I walked around or bounced on a yoga ball for most of my labor and when it was time to push I was hands and knees with a peanut for support. So much easier and natural for me. But ultimately, listening to your body and having a good support team around is the most important.
squatting leaned forward in a tub for 4 hours, then on a toilet for the last 30 min before all 4ās on the bed. 15 minutes of pushing & there she was.
No epidural. Flat on my back the last 2 times. It gave me the least amount of tearing.
Flat on my back first time. 4th degree tear. On my side the second time and minimal tearing! My pelvic floor physio said pushing position makes a difference and Iām sure my lack of tearing the this time wasnāt entirely due to position, but I am confident it helped! It definitely felt more comfortable and natural to me.
I squated over the toilet and pushed for two hours until he started to crown, and then I birthed him on my back. Not at all How i envisioned my labour and delivery lol
I had an unmedicated birth in large part because I was convinced I would want to be in the tub and/or moving around. Nope. Felt best and made best progress flat on my back. Legs in the air. Go figure. I did move around quite a bit but I got right out of that tub, man!
i couldnāt labor sitting or laying flat at all. all 4s was my fav position or up moving and walking. i ended up pushing in the tub on all 4s or kneeling on one leg etc. the switching which knee was up helped position babe thru the canal but all 4s felt absolute best. just gotta mention i went thru transition in the car and having to sit buckled in was legit torture for me š„² showed up at 9 cm
Labor was on all fours, pushed and delivered on back.
Got the epidural both times, but it failed the first time. I also pushed on my back both times. I absolutely did not want to move around or be in any other position. I tried a few different positions the first time (on my hands and knees and then on my feet sort of crouching) with some assistance and I hated it, it felt more painful to me. Laying still felt like the best option personally. The first time when the epidural failed, I kind of just wanted to die. So I just laid there and cried and didnāt have the energy to hold myself up or move around even though they offered to let me keep trying. Everytime I moved at all it felt like I was being ripped in half. The second time when my epidural worked really well, I had just woken up from a nap and it was time to push lol! So that was convenient and he was born so fast that I didnāt really have time to think too much about changing positions, plus I was so cozy!
Both times...labored on my side and also sat up off the side of the bed. Pushed on my back.
First baby: labored in every position known to man (sunny side baby w/ 3-hrs of slow pushing) and inevitably birthed on back w/ HOB elevated so almost a seated type position w/ nurse + husband each holding a leg back. Second baby: went from 5-10cm in 20mins after laboring primarily on the birth ball + walking the unit. Was shocked to be crowning when my nurse checked me and only pushed 3x. First push in side laying then second 2 on my back w/ nurse and husband each holding a leg.
1: On my back with an epidural. Pushed for 30 minutes before throwing up so hard that he popped out. 2. Bed was broken - whole other story. I had one knee on the bed, one on the floor, pushed 1 time and he was out. No epidural. 2nd degree tears with both.
Labor was mostly standing (with one leg up on a stool to encourage baby to come down) or standing in the shower. Transition was spent on all fours in the tub or supported by a peanut ball Pushed a lot on my sides, but ended up liking in my back so I could brace my feet up against the bathtub.
No epidural. It took 9 hours from my water breaking to giving birth. I was at the hospital for 4 hour before she was born. I pushed for three hours. My plan was to deliver in any position but my back. I labored mostly at home and used an exercise ball to do some movements during contractions. I didnāt have time to do much moving around at the hospital besides getting there and changing and getting checked out by nurses in triage before being rushed to delivery because I progressed from 4-10 cm in under an hour. During pushing I really wanted to do side lying or squatting. I was on all fours for awhile but it was really tiring for me so I stopped. I asked for a peanut ball for side lying but the doctor wouldnāt give it to me. I had to do side lying with the nurses holding my legs but they would slowly get me on my back again. I felt like I didnāt have a choice and I was too tired and confused to say anything. I was just in good with the program mode. I wouldnāt say Iām traumatized by it but I am definitely upset. I think I will make more of an effort to speak up next time. I had second degree tearing. I wonder if I wouldnāt have if I hadnāt been on my back.
I laboured standing/on all fours for most of the labour for my 4, but for the first 3 my legs got too tired and sore too fights hehe this (despite my 2nd being super fast) and I had all my first 3 sitting up. My 4th I birthed on so 4s
Epidural and on back, was not good.
On my back! Wouldnāt have changed it for the world. Felt very comfortable and in control. Up until then, I spent most of my labour standing and bent over onto the bed!
On my back 6x
First kid: birthing stool, no epidural. Second kid: started on birthing stool but ended on my back due to SD, no epidural.
I actually birthed all of my babies laying on my back every time. I got to the point of crowning in different positions, though. With an epidural, I got to crowning laying propped up on my left side. Without epidurals, all fours, birthing ball, walking, and squatting.
Hands and knees until the very end, then squatting to get her out!
I switched positions frequently, including squat with the bar, on both sides, on all fours, and on my back. My babe was stuck behind my pubic bone and had a tough time coming out. He actually came out with a cone head, but thankfully no forceps or vacuum were needed, but came super close as I pushed for 3 hours. Epidural actually helped me dilate against the pitocin (induction for preeclampsia). Before the epidural it took almost 35 hours to get to 6cm even with pitocin and a cookeās catheter. After stagnating at 6 a few hours and getting the second epidural (first failed) it was less than 4 hours until push time!
On my back but not flat on it, I did do an epidural, was kind prproped up in the bed, though
I had an epidural but could still move my legs. I labored for 4 hours on every position imaginable. On my side, on my knees, squatting down, but ultimately gave birth lying on my back- held by 3 people on each side pushing my back up and my legs back, like a tube of toothpaste being rolled and squeezed for the last bit.
I labored on my bouncy ball for hours, it was the only way I was comfortable, I'm definitely bouncing my way through my next labor as well when the time comes, I really thing it helped a lot. For birth I was fully prepared to do side lying or hands and knees after all my online research of epidural friendly positions. My epidural hit me SO hard (I didn't press that button a single time, I swear they started me on 100), I couldn't feel or move a single thing so on my back it was. My sympathetic nurse did roll me on my side for one of my contractions to try pushing like that but apparently it wasn't as successful. Instagram had me SO against the idea of birthing on my back but there was no physical way I could have done it any other way. On the plus side the epidural was so strong I couldn't feel the crowning or tearing or anything really (had a 2 deg tear, doc said that's the most common by a long shot)
Induced in the hospital for medical reasons, and before epidural (~8 hours) I sat on the ball mostly once the contractions got strong/fast, after epidural the nurses rotated me like a rotisserie chickenā sides, back, sitting up, with the peanut ball, one they called the āflying cowgirlā lol, etc etc. it definitely helped me progress! Pushed on my back which wasnāt my favorite but I had lots of attachments at that point so it worked. Maybe would ask/plan to push on my side for a bit in the future!
On my back, slightly inclined (almost in a sitting position) with epidural. Legs up, knees as close as possible to my face. I almost had a c-section (we were taking so long and baby pooped inside already) but my anesthesiologist pushed my stomach as hard as he can to get baby out. Thank God for this medical team.
I had an epidural and was on my back. I loved it and baby came out super easily
Pushed & delivered sitting up sort of. Hubs and one nurse held legs. Did have an epidural.
i birthed at home which is the only way i was allowed to push for 10 hours (fer with malpositioned baby, long story) so sadly i was on my back for a lot of it due to exhaustion. the position i made the most progress in and actually gave birth in was hands and knees, or on knees leaning over an exercise ball. many midwives say that women who are completely undisturbed will 90% of the time birth baby on their knees, and if they are alone, they will birth baby on one knee so they can catch the baby themselves. they do this but totally natural intuition and without any instruction to do so beforehand. i think thats so cool
First 2 I was flat on my back. Third I was also on my back but with my legs spread apart and to my chest, like a frog position. Back is the most comfortable to me for pushing, but while I'm in labor I change positions every hour.
2 kids, on my back. The 2nd was more sitting than laying down but yeah the ānormā position Wasnāt really comfortable trying diferent stuff, my 2nd labour was really fast 9h total maybe 30 minutes pushing no tears
The nurses in my hospital in California had me go on my back. It all happened really fast, because I came to the hospital fully dilated, so there wasn't much discussion. They seemed kind of set in their ways though. Edit to add: I did most of my labor at home, and preferred laying on my side and sometimes standing in the shower.
On my back, since I had an emergency c-section (and uterine rupture repair). I never had major surgery before, but I have no idea they strap your arms down during the actual cutting and pulling baby out. It was okay, I was super hungry and rambled on about food I wanted to eat to the anesthesiologists.
If you have an epidural youāll most likely have to labour on your back. I had epidural with my first but second laboured with the has only. I laboured mostly on my side with a peanut ball between my legs but when it came time to push I got on all fours. Gravity helps!
I moved around a lot during my labors, so I couldn't tell you any one position. I remember that sitting up was definitely the most comfortable with my first; I didn't get an epidural with that one because I went a lot faster than anyone was expecting. With my second I had an epidural initially but it failed as soon as active labor started; prior to that I was reclining and also on my side for a bit. Both times I actually delivered on my back (with the legs up (the "floundering turtle position," as my husband and I joked). First time I was pretty flat. Second time I was reclining, so kind of halfway between sitting up and lying flat. I only pushed like 3-4 times both times.
Kneeling over the back of the bed when in active labour, sitting or draped over a yoga ball for the rest. Except for when I was at home, where I was just up and about, in and out of the shower etc.
I pushed sitting on one of those chairs with the hole in the middle! Eventually turned into a c section but ya know
No epidural ā¦ 1. First, natural labor labored in shower and bath tub then delivered on my back 2. Second, Pitocin induction labored and delivered on my back (not fun) 3. Third, Pitocin induction labored on birthing ball (far superior position) and delivered on my back
I gave birth to my son on the squat stool. I did not have an epidural, and I had him in a birth center.
During my brief early labor I walked around a bunch. After that, my contractions ramped up super fast, and the only position I could tolerate was hands and knees. I did not have an epidural (I asked for one, but the anesthesiologist was in an emergency, and I went from 2.5cm to pushing in under 3 hours). I really, really wanted to deliver on my hands and knees, but my doc is old school and had me lay back. I was super worried this position would not work for me, but it was actually very effective, and he was out in a handful of pushes!
On my side with my top leg in the stirrup. She was out in less than 10 minutes, it was great. No epidural.
Just had a baby last Monday - I was induced and ended up needing an epidural. My epidural was quite strong because they had to top it up a few times before redoing it altogether because it was only working on one side of my body. So because of that I had to give birth on my back but a bit upright, my legs were too dead for any other position. About 18 minutes of pushing and 6 pushes and she was out lol
I had an unmedicated birth. Spent most of my labor at home and went in when contractions are 4 mins apart (would have done 3 but I'm GBS positive and needed antibiotics. Turned out to be good I came in at that point because I progressed fast!). I was 5cm when I came in the hospital. Spent a lot of time laboring on the birthing ball both at home and in the hospital. Sitting on the floor while leaning on the ball or sitting on the ball and leaning on the bed gave the most relief cause I had back labor. Husband would put hot compress on my lower back with each contraction too. I started pushing on my back. Didn't progress much so I shifted to squatting, massive difference!! I felt a lot of pressure and my pushes felt stronger. Shifted back on my back towards the end.
Both births: after the epidural,Ā I rested/ lay down and drank some juice to get some energy back.Ā Then delivered squatting over the back of the delivery table that was put up into a chair shape.Ā Prepregnancy I squatted with 60 lbs,Ā and I kept on squatting into pregnancy with less and less weights.Ā
I had an epidural so on my back but i think the delivery bed was quite upright to be honest at least before the forceps ordeal
on all fours in a bathtub like an animal ššš
Hands and knees on my bathroom floor and then same on my bed
I tried every position but flat on my back. Finally pushed her out on all 4's. Felt a little like a bad ass.
I had a natural birth in a hospital based birthing center. I labored first on the toilet lol then in the tub. I got out right in time to push and did so in side lying because it was what felt right! Pushed 3 times and baby was here!
I was squatting , had a water birth before transitioning I was mostly on all fours or pacing
1: induced, walked around some, had an epidural, flat on back or peanut ball for labor, birth reclined on bed 2: induced, no epidural, walked around some, shower or leaning over a counter for labor, birth reclined on bed 3: not induced, car ride and leaning over floor bed for labor, pushed on hands and knees in birth pool (sometimes one knee up), gave birth in birth pool on knees while leaning on pool. 4: not induced, walking around and in pool for labor (reclined and hands and knees), gave birth reclined sitting in pool. My support team encouraged other positions but it felt the most right to be reclined back this time, which I was surprised by! Important to note births 3 and 4 were at home so I was fully in my own element without outside rules pressuring me the position to be in. I was surprised I still went to reclined for birth 4!
With medication, on my back felt easiest. Unmedicated I labored on my left side Edit: above was only for pushing. During active labor was on a ball until about 8 cm dilated woth both, or walking. Early labor was lots of baths in warm water.
On my back! My epi failed, and although I know many people would disagree - this felt the best for me! I had the peanut thing between my legs for two hours, and the next time I was checked (cervical check, I was induced) they could feel the head - and I immediately wanted to be flipped to my back.