What position did you birth in?

[~mamaspice~]

As the title suggests, I'm wanting to hear about what position you gave birth in, or what position did you find it most comfortable to birth in?

I know that positions like all fours are probably the most practical and help the most with preventing tearing but I just cannot see myself doing it that way Unless of course a primal urge to do so overwehlms me.

For some reason I can see myself sitting upright. And maybe even delivering my own baby onto my chest. A waterbirth would be my first choice but my hospital does not allow this for vbacs

So . . . What worked for you???

[~clover~]

With DD1 I was kinda on my side.
With DD2 I was over the end of the bed sorta on all fours, but had the bed head up.
With DS over a beanbag was most comfortable, I had horrible back pain, but when I had to have the monitors on I was put on my back & too buggered to move again.

All fours, or over a beanbag/exercise ball should take the pressure off your back if you have back pain. Just a tip

[Trillian]

I was semi reclined with all of mine, probably a 45deg angle, so not sitting up fully. It was just the position I felt I *needed* to be in. I felt like I could push better.

[Roryrory]

On my back for the first (not recommended, esp with a posterior bub, but my OB was in charge) but all fours for the second, leaning forward onto pillows (birth centre, I was in charge). If left alone, you will just naturally move to whichever position feels best on the day....

[Catastrophic]

my first - sitting <... The best position I think!
Second - Lying down <... Ughh so much harder to work with!

[Jas]

I had my 1st on my back in the bed......never again!

my 2nd I was on all fours in the shower, I never thought I would be keen on that position but I was standing in the first place and the mw asked me to get onto all fours, the 2 mw's were worried about Spence getting stuck or something, not sure what it was, he was born in 5-10mins of pushing so not sure why but it was amazing in that position

[*Beema*]

In the living room leaning on a bar stool rocking for about 15 min, then in the car, one I got to L and D and after an internal, on my knees leaning over the end of the bed, then when they lost DD HB and she wasn't coming out, on my back legs on MW and DH's hips for an Epi after two tears...

Was really hoping to labour in the shower... but no time...

[SammyRo]

DD - mostly either standing, leaning on the bed or kneeling on all fours, but towards the end, the mw got me to sit up on the bed with my legs back (i think DH was behind me) so that I could see what was happening in a mirror - DD was posterior and her head would pop out and go back in, and I was getting disheartened because I didn't think I was getting anywhere - the mw did this so I could see my progress and it helped me keep going (it was 2.5hours of pushing in the end! Geez, my arms were sore the next day from leaning on them for so long!) At one point in the labour, I wanted to push at 6cm or so (common with posterior) so they midwife got me to lean forward on my arms, so my bum was up in the air, to take the pressure off I think. I didn't tear but had a couple of internal grazes that they stitched anyway because they were worried about their position and healing wrong.

DS - I laboured on my feet and once I got to the delivery room, found a worktop to lean on whilst standing as I didn't think I was fully dilated even though I had the pushing urge, once the mw told me I was ready to push, she asked if I wanted to get on the bed, but I was frozen - so DS came out with me standing up, in 8mins with no tears.

Both births were drug free

[Tinks]

I was semi reclined with all of mine, probably a 45deg angle, so not sitting up fully. It was just the position I felt I *needed* to be in. I felt like I could push better.

Me too. I could not move during any of my labours and this was the most comfortable position for me.

[alioops]

DDs1 and 2 were both all 4s

DD3 was sitting like Trillian and Tinks because I couldn't move

[Kazbah]

Each time I got a contraction I'd upset the OB by getting off the bed. I birthed standing, leaning over the bed. Lucky my midwife was good, and arranged pillows and towels under my feet so it didn't get too slippery to stand. And also lucky she was good at catching! However, my actual birth plan was for all fours ...

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

all fours leaning forward onto the bed head was THE most comfy position for me. i didnt even feel DD come out, no ring of fire, just immense pressure that suddenly disappeared once she was out (nope, i had no drugs or tears either)

[skybie]

Flat on my back attatched to a ctg machine! was absolutely wonderfull!!! NOT!! ive never been so uncomfortable in my life!!!
FWIW DD1 no tearing
DD2 2nd degree tear but she was born looking up at the sky

[AliBaby]

I was semi reclined with all of mine, probably a 45deg angle, so not sitting up fully. It was just the position I felt I *needed* to be in. I felt like I could push better.

Me too.

Like Alioops as well I honestly couldnt move from there even if I wanted too.

I had a first degree tear.

[meow]

I was in a deep squat on the birthing stool. I spent the whole labour upright, squatting or leaning over pillows on all fours. I could never have been sitting or on my back. I even went to the hospital leaning over the back seat in the car rather than sitting- no way!

[~Hestia~]

I stood for DS' entire 22 hour labour. Even when my contractions first started I could not sit or lay down. I gave birth to him standing next to the bed, leaning onto my hands. I would never have thought I would give birth standing up but it was just the most comfortable position. I had no tears either.

[Liviam]

I birthed both of my kids on my left side. Both times my upper leg was supported by me or my midwife or OB.

[Queen]

Both times on my back, though with DD1 I had my legs in stirrups ....