Lying on back pushing

This is just something I've been thinking about with regard to my two births. Both times I pushed whilst lying down. With DS1, I hit 2nd stage whilst sitting on the loo and didn't want to move. However, as part of the being 'allowed' a vaginal breech birth, a compromise was me being on the bed to push. They gave me 2 contractions on my hands and knees to try to push him out, which was nothing really. It took just over an hour to push him out. I was on my back, sort of seated, with people holding my legs up and me crushing their hands. Due to SPD, I couldn't use the stirrups, thankfully.

With DS2, I was exhausted. Emotionally and physically drained, with an induced stillbirth. I just didn't want to be there. By the end, I crawled up the bed to lie on my side, whilst DH held my hand or the bowl I threw up into. As DS2 was so tiny, he came out in one push and was put straight on my belly. I kind of sat up a bit to push him out but didn't need much effort.

I wonder if in a future birth, I may end up on my back again, either through exhaustion or preference. I could see myself birthing on my bed at home, because it's so comfortable. Those hospital beds are hard and yuk. The mat on the floor isn't much better. I just don't know if my legs will hold me to push any other way other than lying down. I get the shakes and the strength leaves.

Does anyone prefer to push lying down? With DS2, even hands and knees was exhausting and felt uncomfortable. I don't really think there is much real point to this post. It's just something I've been thinking of.

:hug: You have endured the worst of it L&B and I am so sorry for that :hug:
All the IRL birth stories I have heard the girls are laying on their backs, which is only 3 girls buuuut thats 3 that preferred their back. An alternative to lying on your back would be laying on your side, apparently it helps with that hurdle of bub having to be pushed up and over itms. Im certainly not someone who has a clue, 1 kid after all ;)

I gave birth on my back all 3 times. It was the only position I could get myself into. I also laboured on my side and couldn't move from that postion, as much as the midwives tried to get me moving, I just couldn't.

I think in the moment you do whatever feels most comfortable for you.

i've been thinking about this a bit lately as well - but in more of a lying down during labour overall as well as for pushing. with DS i spent most of my labour on my back on the bed. i wanted to be active, i asked for a fit ball (which i used), i tried moving around etc but nothing was as 'comfortable' as lying on the bed. when it came to pushing i wasn't given much of an opportunity because his heart rate dropped & i was rushed off to theatre for an assisted delivery but i think on the bed is where i would have stayed if it had been a matter of choice rather than necessity.

i have often wondered since how many informed people out there may have also preferred to be on their back on the bed despite knowing that it's not the 'best' position.

it occurred to me the other day that my 'safe place' when i'm not feeling well is curled up in bed & even in pain (say during a gall bladder attack), i just wanted to be curled up & i was wondering if there was a link to that....argh, i don't think i'm making any sense but i *think* i understand where you're coming from.

double post

I've given birth in a semi-reclined position, with my knees up, three times, and twice laying flat on my back with my knees pulled way back. (the flat on back ones were 1. because DD's heart rate was dropping and they wanted oxygen on me, and my knees way back to push her out ASAP, and 2. because DS wouldn't come out any other way after trying multiple positions.)
Semi-reclined has been pretty comfortable for me - I've had no desire to try something else. You'll know in the moment, and the difference will be whether you have a care-giver who will encourage you to take any position you like, or one who will want you in a position that suits them best.

There is always the option of a birth chair if you want something to support your weight yet not be on your back. I also get the leg shakes and not sure I could stand through it (or even kneel through it).

Thinking of you xoxo

I birthed both from a supported back position similar to what you have described. After everything I had read between DD1 and DD2, I tried with DD2 some other positions (hands and knees, squatting) but just couldn't get comfortable so went with what I knew I liked. I think you should always go with what you feel even if it is against what is usually most effective, you know your body best.

For what it is worth, they were both positive experiences - spontaneous, drug free labours with no tearing or stitches. I did have a small graze with DD1 but that was as she had her hand up next to her head.

I think the concept of a safe place or position is important. When I'm sick I always want to lie on the floor, and both times I have birthed kneeling on the floor, leaning over a couch/bed. With dd I also wrapped myself in a sheet, because it made me feel safe (I was nude underneath)

There is no right way to birth...the important thing is that it's your choice.

:grouphug: l&b

My sister is well informed about birth but still prefers to birth lying down on the bed, she feels more comfortable that way. With my last birth my midwife set me up on a beanbag so I was reclined for the pushing stage and my hubby was holding my leg up. Not what I would've chosen myself but it was pretty comfy.

Thanks for all the comments. I'm pretty active during labour to give gravity a go. It may be a birth stool would be good, if it's available. I just think it would be ironic, with me being so gung-ho about optimal positioning, if it turned out my preferred position for pushing was reclined sitting or lying down.

I also like curl on my side when I'm not feeling well. With DS1, it was too painful but with DS2 I just needed the rest. I spent most of his birth in the bath which was great, but I got out when I got too hot and was having a meltdown from grief. Then I just wanted to lie down.

I guess every birth is different.

My labour i was all over the place. All my contractions were in my back so i couldnt stand laying on it so i was walking, standing, leaning over the bed but for the initial pushing i was on all fours but then i got so tired i opted for my back but with the bed reclined all the way forward so i was pretty upright. It felt right to birth that way.

This baby i hope to birth in the bath sitting/kneeling.

Both of my girls were born with me on my back, DD1 i didn't really have much choice :rofl: but DD2 i got into that position for the nurses to check me and she asked if i wanted help moving again and i said no i need to push, i'm not moving.
I actually wonder if my girls could have been even quicker had i been on my hands and knees or kneeling, but with 8min pushing DD2 on my back i'm not sure i wanted any faster ;)

My first birth was a hospy induction and i was semi reclined on the bed knees up 'cause thats what i was told to do, i had a bad tear and promised myself never again. Birth 2 , home in water, private MW, and i ended up in the same position in the pool, DH asked me if i wanted to move (just as i asked him to) and i said no. My knees were not up that was the only difference. But at the time there was no way i was moving.

Much love to you L&B.

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I think the concept of a safe place or position is important. When I'm sick I always want to lie on the floor, and both times I have birthed kneeling on the floor, leaning over a couch/bed. With dd I also wrapped myself in a sheet, because it made me feel safe (I was nude underneath)

There is no right way to birth...the important thing is that it's your choice.

:grouphug: l&b

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This was much my experience too. When in pain, upset or scared, I've always felt safer on the floor. Giving birth, and in fact 99% of my labour, I was on my hands and knees on the floor, in the bathroom :lol: There were times when my doula got me up to sit on the toilet or a birth stool to help DD around the bend, and moving from my 'safe' position was excruciating. I assume it would be the same for anyone and their 'safe' position, regardless of where that is.

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I gave birth on my back all 3 times. It was the only position I could get myself into. I also laboured on my side and couldn't move from that postion, as much as the midwives tried to get me moving, I just couldn't.

I think in the moment you do whatever feels most comfortable for you.

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Exactly that. I don't know that I preferred being on my back, but during almost my entire labour I couldn't/didn't want to budge from lying on my side. I kind of wish they'd helped me into other positions for pushing because it might have been a bit quicker and easier, but I guess I don't really know.

Sent from my GT-P7510

i think baby s position might also influence the position you feel comfortable in. the birth ball was my friend with DD (who was not in optimal position) but i did not like it at all with DS (who was a much bigger baby but in a better position).

i birthed all 4 of my babies on my back, its the position that feels most natural for me.
i had active labours being upright for 95% of the time. with DD2's birth i tried pushing in uprigh positions but it just didnt feel right.
i also came out of them completely intact, only with DD2's borth did i need stitches, but that was because she was born posterior

Up on my knees was the most effortless. The bed was adjusted to a sitting position and I leant up against it with my chest resting over the top.

I laboured on my back and side from 9am till just before midnight and pushed for 2 hours on my back in a semi reclined position. I kept thinking to myself - I know its supposed to be better to be up and about and not give birth lying down, but honestly was too exhausted and don't think I could have got myself off the bed if I tried too. I assume I will birth again this way as felt most natural.

I actually quite like hospital beds :lol: (OK, throw stuff!)

But I can't imagine pushing any way other than standing up. I tried all fours at the encouragement of husband and midwife, and felt I didn't have enough power. So I stood and pushed for two and a half hours.

I was surprised, though, that the brief time I spent lying down wasn't *that* bad.

Everyone's different, and I think the important thing is to do what works for you

I birthed on my back. I started out on the edge of the bed, but as the contractions got stronger, I just felt safer and more in control on my back. I could look at DH, and I was able to draw my knees up towrds my stomach and take some of the pressure through them, if that makes sense. And then they gave me the epidural:), so I didn't feel much at all, and stayed on my back.

I mainly laboured in a sitting up position of the bed b/c I was being constantly monitored and when I did try to stand up my legs felt like jelly & I felt very unsupported, like I was going to fall over. I know I was more comfortable on the bed of floating in the bath. I think whilst there are better birthing position than lying on your back, you need to be comfortable too.

Both my births have been managed - one way or another - so I didn't have any option. I hated being on my back though. I like the idea of birthing standing up I think, holding on to something (or someone).
There are good physiological reasons why the prone position is not optimal, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work well for some women.

I birthed 3 of my 4 babies on my back, and all three were managed for one reason or the other. In the one birth where I was squatting on the floor, holding onto a support bar, it was not because I chose it, but it came on so fast I refused to move in case I gave birth midway to the bed. It was in the shower and so the birthcentre midwife quickly threw a heap of towels on the floor so I wouldn't freak out about the baby hitting the tiles.

I think in that circumstance, if I'd had had the time, I would have wanted to be in bed, because default for me when I'm in pain is wanting to lie down. But staying squatting actually made the birth very easy for me to manage in terms of pain management and pushing. Not so much for everyone else in the room, but definitely for me. I felt far more in control of the process than I've been on my back.

That's why I wanted to do the same with my last baby, but wasn't allowed to in the end because of the epidural, monitoring equipment and my plunging blood pressure. And the birth itself again was more difficult for me. But I would say that birthing standing up would definitely be counter-intuitive to start with for me, until I'm actually pushing, then it seems the natural thing to do.

i birthed DD1 on my back but found it really hard work (as in, i had NOOO idea where we were at...but that could be newbie stuff ITMS). i did find that the pushes i did on my knees to be really hard and my legs kept shaking. but then again i wasnt using anything else as support (other than the bed rail). i saw a youtube vid where a woman leaned over the back of the bed that was put upright and supported herself that way and it seemed to make sense for me...

leaning over a beanbag could be awesome too....

you know what i really want though??? i want one of those hammocky things hanging from the roof that odent (i think it was him?) used in his suites for birthing women! man, they looked cool!

I pushed DD2 out on my back on the bed too. That was the last way I wanted to do it and never thought I'd choose that position. But I was active for the whole 10 yrs of labour. I walked through all my contractions. Then when it came to pushing I tried lots of upright positions. Pushing took 2 hrs and my m/w wanted to double check that she was coming down so I hopped on the bed for a minute. Once I was there though I didn't want to get up. They asked if I wanted help getting onto all fours or something instead but I said no. I actually felt like I could push better lying on the bed. I don't know why, it just worked. Maybe not having to worry about holding myself up or anything, just pushing? I tried to be on my side as much as I could anyway but I think when I actually pushed her out I was just on my back. Worked for me! Hoping to try a more upright position next time though to see if I can avoid tearing.

Heaven. - lol 10yrs of labour?? That's a long one ;) hehe

I have pushed both DD's out on my back but I was sorta upright too with pillows. I never wanted to birth that way either as it goes against gravity and always imagined standing or all fours but those positions were uncomfortable.

After 9.5hr active posterior birth first time I just wanted to lie down, and second birth was 14.5hrs active labour walking etc and I was exhausted by the end too.

For next baby I would love an all fours water birth.

:rofl: It's possible I may have meant hrs.

Ianto was born with me on my side and slightly sitting up, that wasn't too bad.

I was forced flat onto my back, legs in the air, with Amelia, and I know I'll never do that again. But I remember just wanting to be able to sit up - maybe my "natural" birthing position is sitting up? :dunno: I'll let you know when #3 comes along.

I have birthed all 6 of my babies whilst laying down on my back but semi reclined. I have very active labours, but always hop on to a bed to give birth. With DD3 however, I watched TV in bed whilst in labour, laying on my side and then rolled on to my back to give birth :)

I birthed DD1 flat on my back,I had just had a VE and her head surprised them. I was pretty much laying on the bed or reclined back in a recliner strapped to moniters the whole time. They did say when I was ready to push I could move to however I liked but when transition hit I did not want to move.
I birthed DD2 standing at the end of the bed, I had just walked into the birthing room, taken my top off and my water broke and I was in transition, I could not move.
I much preferred the standing up birth but both girls only took 2 contractions to be born so neither was harder then the other for me.

Many of the births I have been at the woman has at some point lain on her back for rest, but mostly she instinctively moves onto her left side or on all four for actual pushing. Myself I have birth twice in a semi recumbant position (on my back, sitting up slightly). Once was in the bath and once on dry land. As long as you are not lying flat there is no real reason why this would make birth more difficult, although some women with posterior babies find lying completely flat helps the baby turn into a better position for birth and instinctively adopt this position during labour.

I was on my back (leaning up on the bed/pillows) for the actual pushing both times. First time it was all going a bit fast and not real well and I didn't really have a choice. I HATED the parts of labour where I was on my back but pushing I was OK with it, or maybe the epidural made me feel like it was OK :lol: Second time I wasn't on my back at all during labour but was for pushing, all 3 minutes of it. I suspect if pushing was going longer I may have been looking for other options but given the immediacy of the situation there wasn't a lot of scope for adjusting or getting other equipment, and I was totally fine on my back.

I'm another who has birthed both times on my back after having majority active labours. Both my births were spontaneous and drug free and TBH, I was comfortable and just fine on my back (in fact, I was only on my back for the final 30-40 mins of DS2's birth and it was a relief to be off my feet). In the lead up to DS1's birth, I never thought for a moment I'd birth on my back, but it felt right at the time, and ditto for DS2. I had a slight tear with DS1 (needed a couple of stiches), and then re-tore the old scar with DS2 (couple more stiches) ... but honestly, it wasn't a big deal.

Being on your back does not necessarily mean a "harder" birth.

With DS I was most comfortable on the hospital bed but semi reclined, I had shaky legs and it was the most comfortable and supported position I could find. I tried sitting almost upright but found I needed to be a bit reclined so I could push better. I recall the midwife dropped the bottom of the bed down so my legs were lower and not as much up in the air if that makes sense. I remember holding onto the hospital bed rail for support and for something to 'brace' myself against as I pushed

I have only had 1 vaginal birth and I was on my back.. I felt enormous pressure and asked if I could get up on all fours as I felt it would relieve it but of course DS was being monitored so I was told no. I had my legs held right back too. It felt unnatural to me..