Giving Birth On All Fours????

[lynnikins]

im planning on being in the pool probably using the little seat thing in there to put my knees on and leaning on the edge or peronally i think kneeling leaning on something has to be better than all fours caus your torso is upright therefore better for graviational reasons than having your bump completely hanging, if im not able to be in the pool for some reason i'll be kneeling leaning on the back of the bed, i had DS on my back with my legs in stirrups and it caused me spinal problems and is probably the reason i have spd now

 

[MiissMuffet]

my midwife said this is the best way, but it makes me scared coz the mental image is that my bum will be sticking up in everyones face lol!! Plus I've always wondered how do they put baby on you straight away do u do a big twist onto your back or something? i'm confused lol

 

[debjolin]

For my labor i was more comfortable sitting on a chair [not reclined] as i felt i had more control during my contractions. Then when i was fully dilated i went onto the bed, on my back, and she was born within 5 mins of pushing. Had tiny tear that only needed one stitch. x

 

[milkmachine]

i gave birth on all fours it was great. they just passed faith through my legs as i turned on to my back after i had her. i didnt tear or graze at all

 

[EmmaDueInFeb]

milkmachine - it it easy to push though, as on your back you can pull against ur legs???

 

[sezzlebum]

i gave birth twice on all 4s, believe me once your in labour who sees your bum is the last thing on your mind lol

i found it better than being on my back as i could really grip the bed when i got a contraction and i could push easier, you tear if you push too soon, but thats the same in any position, i havent grazed or torn either.

i couldn't be on my back lol i felt more agitated, you'll find what suits you when your in labour x

 

[want the best]

what is the name of the hospital in TO that lets you give birth in a all fours or squatting position?
I am less than 5 feet tall with narrow hips (not bragging here, i hate it).
and it is dangerous for me to give birth lying down or reclining. i do not know why they let me do this last time and caused me permenant damage from it

i am in montreal now. but my husband lived in TO for 8 years and he knows the city like the back of his hand so if there is a hospital there that will give me the birth i NEED (not just want, i need this or maybe the current damage i have will get worse) then i will go there.

i do not have much time before i am due. please hurry with replies

 

[Bumpontherun]

I laboured standing or on all fours last time. I had discussed delivering on all fours with both midwives and they were very keen. Sadly my contractions slowed (after a 3 day labour) and I needed a hormone drip at which point baby needed continuous monitoring which required me to be on my back. It took two hours of pushing to deliver my (small) baby. Also DH had to hold one of my legs in the air so it was no more dignified than any other position! Hopefully things will be easier this time and I'll deliver either on all fours or possibly standing.

 

[mothercabbage]

i laboured on all fours, hurt more for me, couldnt stand the pain to be honest...wimp i know

 

[want the best]

to be totally honest, i do not care what is easiest or hurts less in the delivery. I care what position is going to cause damage to my body.
because no doctor in the world is going to say "oh i'm sorry i told you to take that position, here let me write you a check to cover surgery to repair your bone structure damage"
so thats why i want the position that my body is designed for, not necessarily an easy or less painful way. (the recovery and long term effects plus subsequent pregnancies is more painful!)

 

[Blah11]

I laboured and gave birth on my back. No damage, was quick enough and i did it cos it felt the comfiest and most natural at the time

 

[MidnightSun]

I really want to squat/be on all fours. Preferably the former as it opens up your pelvis by an extra 10%!

 

[mothercabbage]

10%!!! ill bear that in mind when the time comes.... thanx xx

 

[sw121]

Any position where you lean forward is best, as it opens your pelvis up and therefore is easier for baby to come out. As you lean forward your tail bone lifts up and provides more room for baby's head to get through, plus gravity helps things along. You lose both of these benefits by lying on your back. I can't believe some hospitals stipulate what positions you can and cannot use!!

Squatting, all 4s or kneeling are apparently all good positions. I can imagine the first two can be very tiring to the legs though. I might try all 4s for a bit, but I like the idea of the bed being set to a seated position and then being able to kneel whilst leaning on the back of the bed for support. I may also try sitting up facing forwards, but I don't plan on lying down unless I'm really exhausted. Some labour wards have a birthing chair, which is a double chair - your partner can sit behind you to rub your back and you sit on the chair in front, which has a U shape cut out of it (think of a toilet seat with the front half cut off!). They look really comfortable - unfortunately they only have one at the hospital I'm going to and I won't be on the unit where it is

 

[Blah11]

being anywhere but on my back was agony for me. They kept trying to have me on my side when being monitored but it wasnt happening!

I did have a back to back labour and birth, idk if that made a diff.

 

[MidnightSun]

Any position where you lean forward is best, as it opens your pelvis up and therefore is easier for baby to come out. As you lean forward your tail bone lifts up and provides more room for baby's head to get through, plus gravity helps things along.

Oh yes, this too! They actually showed us a pelvis and a baby coming through it at antenatal... much easier for baby to navigate it's way down if you tilt forward

 

[sw121]

Any position where you lean forward is best, as it opens your pelvis up and therefore is easier for baby to come out. As you lean forward your tail bone lifts up and provides more room for baby's head to get through, plus gravity helps things along.

Oh yes, this too! They actually showed us a pelvis and a baby coming through it at antenatal... much easier for baby to navigate it's way down if you tilt forward

They showed us the same thing - it was amazing what a difference it made!!

 

[MidnightSun]

Any position where you lean forward is best, as it opens your pelvis up and therefore is easier for baby to come out. As you lean forward your tail bone lifts up and provides more room for baby's head to get through, plus gravity helps things along.

Oh yes, this too! They actually showed us a pelvis and a baby coming through it at antenatal... much easier for baby to navigate it's way down if you tilt forward

They showed us the same thing - it was amazing what a difference it made!!

Absolutely

I am hoping to be squatting whilst leaning forward against my birthing ball or the side of the pool...

Well... that's the plan anyway !

 

[Lauki]

My mum says squatting is the best way! But she is very accomplished at is, as she's been squatting for like an hour every morning for like 30 years now! Personally I fall over when I squat .

I'm definately up for sitting on my knees and leaning against the back of the bed, or in between my husbands legs leaning to him for support. I really don't want to be on my back, as this only makes my back hurt more. But wanting to give birth in a different position means you can't have an epidural right? Or am I understanding it wrong?

 

[Mummytofour]

I had a mobile epidural with my first which meant I could still go on all fours and lean over the back of the bed.

The next 3 kids I had on my kness/squatting in the pool and it was really quick and no grazes etc.