Have you birthed on a Birthing Stool????

[DoulaRelle]

I am going to Cabrini in Malvern, and from memory they have a birthing stool. I would like to give this a try during delivery as I have a thing about having my bum in my Ob's face and know that I won't relax on all fours, but realise that I may be too tired to maintain a standing position to deliver.

Have you used a birthing stool to deliver?, and if so what did you think of it?

[BellyBelly]

Relle, with some of my clients they are on all fours but leaning up over the head of the bed with a sheet over them (which I keep them covered with). Its a great possie and you can have some privacy. You can try a birth stool but not many (none?) of my clients have used them to birth on - for some of the pushing maybe...

[DoulaRelle]

Kelly I had thought of that too, as I know one of his patients that has just delivered leaning over the back of the bed, but for some reason I think I would be self concious! hehehehehe. Do they not find it comfortable enough to actually birth on?

[hannanat]

I would have loved one of those ropes that hang down from the ceiling. I forget what they're called, but you hang on to the handle so you're in a proper supported squat. You can pull down on it for help with the pushing as well. They'd be brilliant to try.

Or a beanbag?

[Inanna]

Relle,
I have used a birthing stool for my first labour. I personally didn't like it - I needed to be moving. As Kelly says some women find it helpful in second stage - you can maintain an upright position without the hard work on your legs. I have supported women using a birhing stool that have reported it to be fantastic. One gorgeous woman I was with had to be prised off the toilet as she was pushing (obviously a toilet is a similar size and shape to the stool!). So, some women really find it great. Have you thought of using the fit ball? Similar concept - you are upright and you have more mobility than the stool... All fours is a position that many women find themselves gravitating to. Kelly's idea sounds like it could be a good solution.

I am personally an all fours birther!
Good luck Relle

[Inanna]

Natalie, We posted at the same time. I would love to try that too! Many indigenous cultures use it (the name escapes me...). I pulled down on the top of a low boy wardrobe when I was labouring with my son. It was absolutely fabulous.

[DoulaRelle]

Thanks Nat, sadly they don't have one of those in the labour ward.

Deb - that is really interesting, I must admit I found the toilet really diffcult to be on in my first labour, but I am also short and I think I was uncomfortable cause I could not place my feet on the ground properly. I will definately be taking a fitball in case theirs isn't free. Thanks hun!

Kelly - what do you think of trying a fitball or birthing stool for most of the pushing, then moving?????

[BellyBelly]

Not a fitball, it's good in early labour but you would want to be on something that will freely allow the baby to come down and so you are open. You can push on a stool then move - but you may find something else good in labour and change your mind

[DoulaRelle]

Good point Kelly!

I will ring the hospital to see exactly what they supply in the way of stools, fitball etc.

[norquesta]

I gave birth to my first child on a birth stool. I spent all my second stage on it (2 1/2 hours). I was very active right through labour, shower, walking, kneeing, hands and knees, you name it I did it. When the time came to push I couldn't find a position to really 'get into it', I was offered the stool, up until then my midwife was using it as a place to sit, she had to give up her spot I was also exhausted, so sitting on the stool was a great way to keep going and to stay upright. I also found it private as my birth attendant was behind me, my midwife sitting to the side.

It was exactly what I needed. I birthed my 10 pound girl, beautifully on the birth stool.

With my second daughter, I had a birth stool available but didn't want a bar of it, every labour is different.

The stool I used was made of wood in a horse shoe shape with a padded leather seat. I have seen a really funky birth stool/chair last year on ABC The New Inventors (I think thats the programs name?). A midwife in NSW invented a birthing chair with a matching stool for the midwife, it look good, if I come across a link I will post it up.

My only suggestion would be to make sure everything you might want is in sight, ready to use and not left in a cupboard somewhere, otherwise it is easy to forget your options.

[DoulaRelle]

Norquesta, the stool you described is like the one at my hospital I think. I agree with you about the privacy thing, but being able to still be upright!

I have googled them as well and seen the really funky purple one that has a back and everything!

[blackbird]

Hi Relle
I spent quite some time (several hours?) on a birthing stool trying to push DS out prior to it being determined that his head was too big for my cervix even though it was fully dilated. I stayed on the stool for a while longer while we waited for the trolley to go to theatre as it was comfy and DH could sit behind me on the end of the bed and support/cuddle me as needed and the m/w sat in front.

I'd say it would be worth giving it a go and see how it feels.

[DoulaRelle]

Thanks Blackbird - I think it is definately worth giving it a go too!

Tanby - that is great to hear of another person that has successfully delivered on the birthing stool. My 2nd stage with DS 2 only lasted 14 mins, so heres hoping that it will be that or even quicker.

I really do prefer the idea of my Obs in front of me, but don't want to be stuck on the bed, unless I want to! I also thought, that on the birthing stool like you said, my DH could be supporting me without having to take all of my weight!

Keep the stories coming ladies!

[castle]

If you look at the website birthrite (make sure it's singular, "birthrites" is a different site) you can see some photos of a birthing stool being used. Follow the links to Education, then Upright Positioning. Then choose Experiences. You can see photos & read stories. If you click on Breech Births, you can even see fabulous pictures of a breech baby being delivered on a birthing stool. The breech birth article is by an OB who does vaginal breech births at the teaching hospital here in Newcastle.
I've just typed this & I'm not sure if it's OK to refer you to a web site or not...

[DoulaRelle]

Thanks Castle!

[~Amy~]

I spent ages on all fours (to be honest i didn't even think of my bum being in the dr's face lol, i can see how it would make u uncomfy tho), but it just got way to painful for me. I then moved to a birthing stool which i delivered on, i found it fantastic. I also liked it because like Blackbird said ~ DH can sit behind u & support/cuddle u