As a first time mum to be, I am terrified of tearing. I'm not that worried about the labor or the birth, but of tearing and needing stitches. Some of the things I've read about stitches and the pain afterwards sound awful, so I am glad I've come across this thread.
Just wondering what the options are aside from birthing on your back? I've heard of standing or squatting, but doesn't this make it difficult for the catcher? Are most OB's happy to let you birth in a position other than on your back?
As you can see I'm pretty naive when it comes to this stuff, any tips you can give about alternate positions would be great.
Miss Excited.....i birthed my 2 DD's on my back....and my DS standing upright, and that was by far the easiest and best birth ive had. The middy had no trouble catching him. She kneeled on the floor and has he popped out grabbed him. I think the hardest bit was passing him between my legs as his cord was stil attatched (i had delayed cord clamping).
Its your birth so unless theres a reason for your OB to say no, then you should be able to birth YOUR way...good luck
the comfiest position i found when pushing was on the bed on my knees propped up with a beanbag. this felt the most natural for the position that DD was taking on her way down. it all fell to craziness with the OB 'needing' me to push on my back. i negotiated (somehow!) to have the bed back raised and the end of the bed fully dropped so that i was in as much of a sitting position as possible. but it still was ALOT more hard work than it should of been.
IMO go to a birth centre! that way you can be pretty much free to birth in as many positions as you feel comfortable with. otherwise, i reckon ask your care provider what the reality of the pushing stage is (in terms of how they want you to be positioned), and try to negotiate this in your birth plan (and make sure DH or any other support person is aware of this too).
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks