Labor positions

[Anonymous]

My mom tells me that the sitting on the border of the bed and or squatting is the best/easiest position to give birth. Does anyone has any experience with this? Do doctors/hospitals let you choose what position you want to have your baby or do you HAVE to lie down?

Thanks for sharing

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this qualifies as a position for giving birth but I sat on a chair in the shower (at the hospital) for about 45min and that was so relaxing. Then I stayed on my left side in bed until it was time to push. For that part I was on my back. Whole process took 4 hours.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. This is a lot of questions all in one. Squatting can be a very effective position in which to give birth. It shortens the cervix & opens up the pelvis. Many hospitals/other birth sites are equipped with "squat bars" that attach to the bed that you can hold onto to make this position easier. There are also lots of other positions that women give birth in - hands & knees, lying on side, sitting on bed with knees held up....what works or feels good for one woman may not for another.

As for the hospital (or other birth site) "allowing" you to labor in different positions.....this depends on a lot of things. (1) If you plan to do an unmedicated, natural birth, you will be much more easily able to switch positions or get into a squat position. If you have a traditional epidural, you may not be able to move around at all, as you will be numb from the waist down and tethered to an IV. Other pain med options may allow for more movement. (2) Any restrictions of your birth site. I have heard that some hospitals are very restrictive about allowing laboring women to move around. You'll want to ask about that. (3) Any feelings/restrictions of your care provider - Dr. or midwife - on which positions you may labor or deliver in. You'll want to ask about that too. (4) Your specific wishes. Despite policies of your birth site or care provider, you can probably establish birth preferences and a birth plan. You may have to sign waivers at some hospitals if you are refusing some of their "standard" procedures.

If you're interested in more detailed info about birth positions, labor options, etc. here are a few sources: "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer & Rhonda Wheeler; "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin; and a Bradley Method or BirthWorks or other comprehensive childbirth class.

[Anonymous]

Depends - some folks advocate water birth, some swear by sqatting, some use birthing balls, etc.

It really depends on your birth plan (make sure you have both a Plan A and Plan B), and your pain threshold.

[Anonymous]

I tried to use the squatting bar, but my energy was so shot that I couldn't really hold myself in that position to birth. My legs were trembling and it was just too hard.

In the end, I basically birthed on hands and knees, which was very effective! I didn't have an epidural, so I was able to try various positions to find what worked best.

[Anonymous]

My midwife and Bradley teacher both mentioned sitting on the toilet, because it is a position we're used to "pushing" in. I was totally opposed--that's gross, who wants to labor on a toilet, right? Well, guess what ended up being the most effective for me? I eventually pushed him out laying on my left side with my husband bracing my right leg bent in the air...ahhh...the attractive positions labor puts us in!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if there are hospitals/doctors in the area that have strict policies about which positions you can't labor/deliver in? (ie, they make you labor on your back) or are most of them pretty flexible about what works best for you (as long as your not tethered to an IV)

[Anonymous]

@ 13:03 -- I think it depends more on your doctor/midwife, and then whether the hospital requires an IV and/or fetal monitoring (both of which can constrict movement). Don't know all the different policies everywhere, you'd have to check the places you are considering. Ask on the tour, ask at your next prenatal appt.

I was so sure ahead of time that squatting would be what I wanted to do, but I ended up being too tired for that and gave birth lying on my left side, with the midwife supporting my right leg.

I think "the best" position varies from woman to woman and birth to birth, so the best you can do is find a place/provider that will keep your options open.

[Anonymous]

The doc who ended up delivering my baby wanted me in bed on my back. I did not have an epidural, but did have an IV drip, BP cuff & internal fetal monitor which were slightly restricting! I would have liked to use the squat bar but the nurses assured me that the Dr. wanted everyone to be on their back. You should definitely ask your OB or MW about this in advance. Needless to say, I've switched from an OB practice to a MW for my 2nd preg. and she encourages delivering however is most comfortable for you!

[Anonymous]

Do you mind sharing who your Dr. was?

[Anonymous]

A lot of docs prefer you to be on your back because it is the easiest position for them, physically, to see everything, check you, catch the baby, etc. (although it is well documented that it is not the best position for the mother or for the progression of labor, esp with feet in stirrups, i.e. lithotomy position). And because they don't have a ton of practice delivering in other positions.

[Anonymous]

Gravity is your friend, and a position that is effective and relatively comfortable for YOU is what's best.

I wound up squatting when I actually delivered, but while laboring sat up, sat on the toilet, was on my back for a while (HUGE baby, ironically the best position to get him aligned with my pelvis for a bit), in a rocking chair, in the hallway, leaned on a birth ball, was hanging onto the banister, on my side, standing up hanging onto my poor mom, etc.etc. etc. I was at home, if that wasn't obvious.

Got a really awesome baby out of it, and we're both fine.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin, which has a lot about laboring and physiology.