Vertical childbirth - any experience?

[SophiaEli]

For me lying on the bed was the worst experience, I have never experienced such back pain before (no back pain at all during pregnancy!). So, I wonder would not it be easier (less pain) to give birth in an upright position? I've heard that it is a more natural position!

 

[Charli666]

no experience, but stalking, as i'd like to give birth as upright as possible, it just 'seems' to make sense in my mind

 

[Eleanor ace]

I laboured upright until 7cm, after that I was on all fours and then on my back ( due to monitoring). being upright was sooo much better! I progressed quicker upright and it was easier to move around into the best position for each contraction. DS was back to back and being upright helped with the back pain.

 

[lovie]

I laboured upright till i was 10 cms dilated, then on my hands and knees to get the baby's head to come down, I pushed on a birthing stool.

the times i had to lie on the bed were just awful, i had to have a drip put in and and some internal exams, the pain was 10 times worse on the bed.

I had a special walking frame thing with arm rests to lean on, also i lent on my dp, that was nice.

I had a mobile epidural so i could still stand up, it didnt take the pain away but it did help a little.

good luck!

 

[MindUtopia]

That seems not normal..A hard situation.

Actually, it's very normal. That's why you never see a horse lie down and stick its legs in the air to give birth! All mammals (and that's what we are) give birth standing or kneeling (kinda like being on all fours). This is my first baby, so I can't say how it goes yet, but yep, definitely won't be on my back. I'll be kneeling or on all fours probably unless I get the urge to stand. Humans never used to give birth on their backs either until modern medicine decided it was easier for the doctor that way (even if it's more difficult, painful and likely to cause complications for us).

 

[MrsK]

I never once layed down while in labor. In the beginning I managed the pain standing in the shower.. Then bouncing on a birth ball.. Then finally kneeling in a tub with the tubs side to support me. That's how I gave birth. Can't imagine laying down.. It would be awfully painful and uncomfortable!

 

[SophiaEli]

That seems not normal..A hard situation.

Actually, it's very normal. That's why you never see a horse lie down and stick its legs in the air to give birth! All mammals (and that's what we are) give birth standing or kneeling (kinda like being on all fours). This is my first baby, so I can't say how it goes yet, but yep, definitely won't be on my back. I'll be kneeling or on all fours probably unless I get the urge to stand. Humans never used to give birth on their backs either until modern medicine decided it was easier for the doctor that way (even if it's more difficult, painful and likely to cause complications for us).

Well said!!! (especially the part about the horse... lol)
The lying position for childbirth is indeed for doctors! It is an awful modern "invention"

 

[NaturalMomma]

I gave birth to ds2 standing up. I did get a leg cramp which was a little painful (more so than the contractions at that time), but it was still way better than laying down. I had no pain meds either (I was at home). I'm planning to do a deep squat with this baby.

 

[AJBliss]

While I agree that being vertical is often great for humans, horses actually do nearly always lie down to deliver (just not on their backs). But gravity doesn't really help them when they are standing, unlike humans, and they often will move around and reposition to help move things along. I tried to be upright for my first, but the sacroiliac pain was far too much. I ended up in the pool semi-reclined, going up onto my knees periodically when I could bear it because I knew it *should* help. Looking forward to finding out what works best for me this time!

 

[Bubsta]

Glad I read this thread! There is some good advice here. I will try and be a lot more active this time around and hopefully my labour will progress naturally without the need to be induced.

 

[Feronia]

I laboured in the shower or leaning upright on a ball or chair. I had one contraction when I was lying down when the midwife was examining me, and it was by far the worst one. Then I got into my birth pool and had my baby in a squatting position. My labour wasn't very painful and neither was the pushing. Being upright also helps prevent tearing (I didn't get so much as a scrape).

Best of luck!