Giving Birth On All Fours????

[EmmaDueInFeb]

Has anyone given birth on all fours??

I've been researching the best positions, and this one gets good recommendations, and also lowers the risk of tearing (I had a 3rd degree with first daughter)...

It it possible, or would I tire quickly?

Lay on my side with my first as I was totally shattered (after 2 days in early labour) and no sleep !!

Any thoughts? cheers ladies

 

[Christine1993]

I tried sooo many positions during labour including this one. It is possible to give birth like this but for me i was far too uncomfy..it made me get serious cramp in my legs!! XX

 

[kayleigh&bump]

ive heard all fours or squatting are meant to be the best positions to give birth in, to let gravity do its job, but not sure if i fancy it tbh! not that i'll probably care at the time xx

 

[KittenKat]

Know with my DD I was squatting with my OH supporting all my weight to begin with and I think I moved to being on my knees for the actual delivery and OH supporting me infront so I could use him.

This was much better than with my DS as I had an undiagnosed breech and spontanious labour at 36 weeks, so didn't have any choice on the laying flat on my back

 

[franny_k]

It's one of my preferred choices for labour along with squatting as advocated by my yoga teacher. As Kayleigh said, it's supposed to aid gravity and therefore help to reduce the chances of tearing. But this is my first time so I've no idea if it will work for me or not However, I do like resting on all fours at the moment because I get an achy back so who knows?

 

[Caz-x]

I used this with the aid of a beanbag to rest on & pillows under my knees & also squatted between DH legs with him supporting me. I honestly couldnt even imagine giving birth on my back unless I literally had no choice.

 

[Sam9kids]

With all 8 of them i laboured and gave birth on my back. Just the way i prefered it xx

 

[sophieee18]

i heard that giving birth on all fours has a high risk of tearing. maybe just a tale? x

 

[summerarmahni]

i think it would be uncomfy on ya knees i think ill just lay on my back n scream lol x

 

[xpinkness87x]

because of my SPD they have suggusted that i give birth on all fours if laying down gets to painfull. But i think it depends how you feel at the time x

 

[Charlieblue]

As it's my first i have no idea which position i will be in, i guess i will just do whatever feels more comfortable at the time. xxx

 

[Minstermind]

Squatting/on all fours seems like such a natural position to give birth in as gravity helps a woman push baby out. As far as I'm aware this was one of the most common ways to do until some obstetricians back in the day thought it easier to use forceps on baby if women were laying back, and it quickly spread. It's kind of nonsensical really, as it opposes basic physics of an upright position aiding delivery.

Obviously it's, above and beyond all that, about what the woman wants and feels most comfortable doing, whether it be upright or laying down.

Unfortunately, many hospitals won't really allow for this type of thing and insist on women laying on their backs. Depends on the country and the hospital though, so worth looking into...

 

[blackrose]

I'm going to go with the flow , if you have an epidural you cant really pick and choose your position . However if I dont have one I may try to squat or go on all four , i was advised its the best way to prevent tearing and that gravity is very helpful . but I'm not saying I will for sure . I think my birth plan really is .. not to plan to much .

 

[DueMarch2nd]

My mw said a good position is leaning on the back of the bed for support, it is a bit more comfy than all 4s she said. I can imagine your arms getting tired first if on all 4s. I will see what i feel most comfy with but that sounds good to me. It uses the gravity and i imagine allows for a bit more movement than all 4s too, but is pretty much the same position. But as I say, I will see what feels best at the time.

Minstermind: My local hospitals encourage moving as much as possible in labour. I thought most did these days. We even have posters up at the GP and hospital with Davina Mcall saying "stand and deliver" and going on about how it is best to be active in labour I wouldnt know about other areas hospitals views on it though.

 

[blackrose]

My hospital is the same they encourage active , upright deliveries and labours . i really think all hospitals should offer this .

 

[Minstermind]

I agree, they all should offer this flexibility. That's superb that you ladies have had that experience. In the hospital here was told for liability reasons the only accepted positions for the actual birthing part (when baby is coming out) is on the back or laying on either side...but not squatting, standing, on all fours etc.. to be honest, I'm not too confident with this hospital anyway but unfortunately don't have much option due to the distance to the next nearest hospital, ugh.

 

[Sparky0207]

I was on all 4s right until 10 mins before I had her but because they took the gas and air off me so I could push better, I started to get a bit shaky and my legs couldnt hold me so I flipped over just as she was crowning!! Did end up with 2nd degree tear though

 

[eeyore83]

I plan on trying squatting or being on all fours. I was just diagnosed with SPD, plus I had a spinal fusion a few years back, and I just think being on my back is going to be WAY too uncomfortable.

 

[Celesse]

I'm planning on being on my knees in the leaning over the back of the bed position (but hopefully at home leaning over my very very big carefully positioned bean bag).

 

[teal]

My hospital is the same they encourage active , upright deliveries and labours . i really think all hospitals should offer this .

The hospital I'm going offers the same xx