Giving Birth On All Fours????

[RainbowDrop_x]

I had a water birth and spent the whole time in the pool squatting.

I had always planned to give birth on my back but not for any reason in particular more because that's the only way I've ever seen it done (mainly on TV shows) and just assumed that was the norm .. Before I got in the pool though I was sitting on the bed because laying down made my bump feel tighter and and for me it made the contractions alot more painful.

After giving birth I personally don't think you can plan anything. You just have to go with the flow and work out the most comfortable position based on circumstances.. I couldn't even sit back in the pool because I'm so small the water came up to my chin

 

[Rhiana79]

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...

I'm all for hospitals doing whats best for women and women being flexible in their birth plan to receive the best care but honestly they "won't allow" you to give birth in a position that is comfortable for you?

Where does this mentality of hospital insist on you doing ABC. Surely as long as you're not planning on swinging from the light fittings during labour and everything is safe for you and baby it makes no difference what position you're in.

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

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...

I'm all for hospitals doing whats best for women and women being flexible in their birth plan to receive the best care but honestly they "won't allow" you to give birth in a position that is comfortable for you?

Where does this mentality of hospital insist on you doing ABC. Surely as long as you're not planning on swinging from the light fittings during labour and everything is safe for you and baby it makes no difference what position you're in.

I think it's more to do with certain positions slowing labour down. Again I think that comes down to personal circumstances e.g how labour is progressing, is everything ok etc etc as opposed to "Hiya welcome to the maternity unit and no you cannot give birth on all fours" IYKWIM??

 

[mothercabbage]

to the lady that had a mobile epidural...what could you feel?? obviously your legs as you could be on all fours but how pain free was you?? xx

 

[Lauki]

That mobile epidural sounds ace! Is the pain bearable with it? Or does it just take the edge of slightly? I've got to find out if my Hospital does this!

 

[oaklvr]

I'm jealous of these hospitals that let you have more sayso in the birth. I asked my dr about squatting to allow a larger baby out, and he said they would allow it. But I talked to him about not having I.V. lines, he said I WOULD be hep locked if I don't want an I.V. of fluids, and that once my water breaks they generally don't let people move around. I wanted to try and use gravity and my birthing ball to get baby out easier, my first was born on my back, I was completely tensed and couldn't move as I had back labor and she was probably posterior. I was hoping to get things moving more quickly this time but my hospital just seems like they don't want 'alternative' methods. My dr even told me I should go for a homebirth then, even though I can't afford a midwife, that I didn't need one. He was being sarcastic and I thought that was rude just because I asked about something different.

 

[Lauki]

Seems so silly that doctor's don't want to make it more natural and easy for the birthing woman? Why would they do that honestly? I mean, as long as there's no complications and the baby is not in distress, then it's only better to let the woman go her own way and give birth the way she feels comfortable?

 

[special_kala]

It's your body and your paying them so do what you want.

It's ridiculous how they try and tell you in the us what you can and can't do

 

[NawlinsMama]

The absolute best way is squatting, especially if your birthing center has one of those beds with the attached bar for you to lean on. I wasn't allowed to do this with DD (being high risk sucks), but I'm insisting this time around!

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

It's your body and your paying them so do what you want.

It's ridiculous how they try and tell you in the us what you can and can't do

You're absolutely right! I've only just realised that a lot of the posts saying about "Can & Can't" are from ladies in the US. Quite sad really

Makes me realise how lucky I was to be able to give birth how was comfortable for me and not just convenience if that makes sense

 

[Cabbage]

I am confused about the different positions you can give birth in? Do you have to be in the bed or can you move around the room and like, give birth somewhere else in the room?

When you refer to squatting, do you mean, squatting on the bed or what? Sorry I am so ignorant as this is my first. Are there any websites that show diagrams of the different positions? I would like to try different positions but I am afraid I will make a total tit out of myself!! I am sure I won't care when the time comes, but would be interested to see the different positions used...

 

[BexyD]

I gave birth to my youngest standing up over the bed - we had only just arrived at the hosp so only had time to get trousers off and then he was out!!

My daughter was born while i was on my knees in the pool leaning over the edge.

Now I cant imagine giving birth on my back. I also couldnt imagine squatting. It hurts my thighs enough now and i feel like my womb might fall out! Very horrible, heavy feeling down there. All fours sounds good but not sure i want my piles etc to be shown to the world. I'll be much happier standing or kneeling but as i may need an induction im not sure either wll be possible

 

[Louise1985]

i couldnt give birth on my back...was way to uncomfy and i felt as though was squashing baby!

i gave birth on all fours and he came out quite easily!!

i would definatly recommend this position

 

[My4thmiracle]

I've had my 3 on my back gripping onto my knees and curling into a ball whilst bearing down. From first push to holding baby was 5 mins with my first and 3 minutes with the other 2.

So that's what I aim for this time too.

 

[24/7]

I started in a pool and then moved to the bed on my back, but things were slow moving so MW suggested sitting on the toilet in a squatting position but nothing. I then tried a birthing stool and still nothing. I then tried all fours but was just too tired after 21 hours of labour and an hour and a half of pushing already. I then laid down again on my back with my legs pretty much behind my head and an hour later LO arrived with no tearing etc despite coming down with his hands by his face/chest. I couldn't have given birth any other way as I was just exhausted by the end. xx

 

[ProudMommy26]

I had my youngest on my back and it was the worst pain ever, especially as it was a back to back delivery and they wouldn't let me get into another position because the baby was very stressed. With my first I had her when I was on my knees and leaning over the bed. It was amazing and so quick (although I did have preeclampsia at the time) x

 

[sw121]

It's your body and your paying them so do what you want.

It's ridiculous how they try and tell you in the us what you can and can't do

Absolutely - they can't exactly force you to stay on your back!

 

[sw121]

I gave birth to my youngest standing up over the bed - we had only just arrived at the hosp so only had time to get trousers off and then he was out!!

My daughter was born while i was on my knees in the pool leaning over the edge.

Now I cant imagine giving birth on my back. I also couldnt imagine squatting. It hurts my thighs enough now and i feel like my womb might fall out! Very horrible, heavy feeling down there. All fours sounds good but not sure i want my piles etc to be shown to the world. I'll be much happier standing or kneeling but as i may need an induction im not sure either wll be possible

I'm likely to be induced and baby will need constant monitoring (due to GD) but I have been told I will still be able to kneel, get on all fours, lean over the bed and sit on the birthing ball. I just won't be able to walk around or use the pool.

 

[XJessicaX]

I wanted to deliver on all fours. I tried, I failed...ended up having a ventouse delivery. Will definitely try again for next one though.

 

[oaklvr]

I wanted to deliver on all fours. I tried, I failed...ended up having a ventouse delivery. Will definitely try again for next one though.

Don't say you failed! You tried for it!